Tuesday 4 December 2012

The PICC Drama

It was great to get out of the hospital yesterday and spend some time with Shawn and our friends.  I had some good laughs and managed to get rid of some junk from my house during a white elephant exchange!  I received two calls from the hospital while I was away, both with poor reports on Hope.  The first said that she was running a fever, but it came down after they unwrapped her and left it at that.  The second was early this morning as Hope's oxygen levels were going down and the fluid in her lungs had recollected.  Hope's room today has been a revolving door ever since.

No one is quite sure why Hope's lungs continue to collect fluids.  She is back on a high dose of diuretics and will likely be too dry in the near future.  I had begun fighting to have Hope's blood work limited to save her some of the pain.  As a result, the nurse came in this afternoon with a list of things they needed blood for.  All the different departments had to wait to be sure the blood was only drawn once.  This meant we needed over 2mls of blood.  The nurse connected to the PICC line, as per usual, but could draw nothing out of it.  Many different people and doctors were called, but nothing has worked.

They truly need this blood work to be sure Hope is not too dry, too fluid overloaded and does not have too many blood thinners on board.  They called some of the top nurses in to draw blood from anywhere on Hope's body.  Five pokes later, they admitted that Hope's veins were too difficult and this would not be possible.  As a result, we need a new line to draw blood off of.  Hope just came back from an ultrasound to check on the clot at the end of the PICC line.  They need to make sure the clot is gone in order to pull this line if they put in a new one.  This would also mean a trip to the OR and we're not even sure they'll be willing to take her.

We are asking people to pray.  Please pray that this line would miraculous begin giving blood once again.  Pray that the clot would be dissolved and would not pose a risk to Hope if the line needs to be pulled.  If we do need to go to the OR for a new line, please pray that they would be successful.  If you still have some time, pray for my own heart.  I am truly getting tired of seeing my little girl scream while they try to draw blood from her damaged veins.  We need a break from hospital life to allow her body time to heal.  God, would you please make my little Hope strong and let us bring her home?

21 comments:

  1. Oh Amy... Praying. So very hard - will pass this on to our community group tonight & we will pray. God can bust clots and guide surgeon's hands - we will as Him to do both.

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  2. We prayed together as a family for you just now. We're agreeing with you in prayer for each specific item, and continuing to pray for her healing. I can only imagine how exhausted you must be, and how tired of all the pokes and everything Hope must be. Any news re her diapers? Still praying for wet ones!

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  3. Praying for a miracle of healing! Marsha

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  4. Bringing Hope and you before the throne throughout the day as I remember you, and asking for the impossible from the One for whom all things are possible. Sarah

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  5. Praying for you - for strength from on High, for His wisdom and discernement as you continually make decisions on behalf of Hope, for supportive and thoughtful staff, and for peace. Praying that God will put someone in your life as an instrument of His words and peace.

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  6. A friend mentioned Hope on FB and gave the blog address. We are praying for all of you as you walk through this with Him. May He refresh your heart and mind with a peace that passes all understanding. Love from Indonesia-The Harmans

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  7. Dear Amy, my heart breaks for you when I read how much pain your sweet little girl is going through and how hard it is for you to listen and watch her suffer so much. I pray the blood clot will be disolved and a new line will be able to go in. I also pray that Hope will be strong enough to come home soon and you all will be able to enjoy a normal family life for even a little while before more hospitalization is needed. Hope was lifted up in prayer today at Compass Point Ladies bible study, many ladies are praying for her everyday. God bless you and your family and keep you strong.

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  8. I don't know you but have been following your blog for a while now and praying for you, your family and Hope...Praying more tonight...

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  9. All my thoughts and loads of love to you baby Hope and your family. My wish is for you to find comfort soon and to travel home to rest and heal there. With my own baby girl being similar in age, I can't begin to imagine the amount of strenght you have. Keep fighting for your little Angel. Love from family to yours
    Stay Strong Amy, just reading your blog brings me to tears. You've got a lot of rooting for your family.
    m

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  10. Praying that you will feel the strength and love of the Lord round about you and your family and that Hope will be blessed with what she is in need of..only the great physician knows what that is and we pray that His will be done. She was given life for a reason...she is loved..by all those who hear her story! My heart breaks for what you all are going through.

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  11. God is miraculous! Praying for everything you said... Hope is in God's hands, and he loves her, you and your family dearly. Praying that he will provide you strength and comfort :) Let him carry you through this... Like Footprints In the Sand. Take care of yourself :)

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  12. I started reading your blog a few days ago and can't stop thinking of your little girl! Praying for your family especially little Hope! Be blessed and have faith in God for he is great!
    I believe God will give you victory in Hopes life! Trust in him
    "For i can do Anything through Christ who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13 :)

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  13. Karen Richardson5 December 2012 at 00:36

    Praying!

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  14. I've started following your blog through a friend who knows you. Though I've never met you, You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. Wishing you all strength and health.

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  15. Our church in Glasgow prayed for Hope last night in our prayer meeting. I am praying that God gives you what you need to get through today. You are all often on my mind, especially when I wake at night.

    With love in Christ,

    Rosalind

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  16. Continuing to pray for Hope and for you and Shawn. Praying the Lord will resolve this issue today, make Hope strong, give you peace and His strength.

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  17. I read this everyday and say a prayer thinking of you all. You're so brave and so is your little angel. I truly hope she lives up to her name xxxx

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  18. I pray for you every day. Please be strong

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  19. Still praying for Hope everyday. Sending you lots of strength and love.

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  20. We are still praying for Hope. May God sustain you all in this time of need. Through Christ all is possible.
    Sincerely Evelyn & Paully

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