Day -6

Day -6 was a little tough - OK, a lot. she cried much of the day, we had difficulty settling her. She did finally get comfortable for a few hours in afternoon and eve so we were able to eat at RMH and play bingo, the highlight of my week - I know, exciting stuff.

The dressings were pretty much horrible. We could have killed a pony with the drugs she had for pain and she still fought us with amazing strength. She didn't scream, but she STRUGGLED.

Pre cut dressings for 1 dressing change. Takes about 1 1/2 hours to cut and lube.

It took 3 of us 4 hours. I got a dressing on and she would kick it off and when we tried to hold her uncovered limbs, we cause more damage. Then, when the marathon was almost over (I only had a hand arm, and line care remaining), I must have exposed an arteriole in her thumb when I removed a stuck dressing. She bled and bled from that thumb, even shooting a very thin line of blood across the bed. I held pressure and the bleeding abated. She went to sleep finally and we finished up. At 2 AM I said, "I've got to go home" and Stefan (Steve- same person) said, "I'll go with you". Yuri, the nurse turned in horror and exclaimed, "What! What did you say?" We laughed so hard. Poor thing, she never had Elle before and I don't know if she will come back!

Stefan next to the supply cart - a visitor commented that she couldn't believe that the hospital left supplies in the patient's room. She was surprised when we told her that that was only most of Elle's dressing supplies. (Mikayla and Shari would have had fun organizing that one!)

Chloe trying out a slick ride. "Uncle Timmy, hop on the back!" Some volunteers with fancy bikes came by RMH (before Bingo) and let the kids climb on them