I brought my camera to the clinic today so that I could capture the process of accessing Kate's port. I think it might have been the wrong day for it though. We had a 10:15 appointment and drove around the parking garage for a full half hour trying to find a spot. Finally, I gave up and found a valet parking in a nearby building. We arrived at the clinic 30 minutes late and finally made it back to the room an hour and a half after our appointment. The lab had some complications and we couldn't get started without the bloodwork and that further delay threw a monkey wrench in our usual routine. On a normal day Kate isn't at all bothered by the poke through her port so I felt terrible when through the lens I saw her crying!Here are a few pics of the process...
Waiting to access the port
Every day before we go to the clinic, we put "magic cream" (EMLA) on Kate's port site. That way, it doesn't hurt when they poke through her skin to get to the port. Even though it doesn't hurt, Kate still doesn't enjoy the initial stick so she looks away.
That isn't supposed to hurt!
We put cream on her port at 8:30 in the morning. Due to all of the delays, her port wasn't accessed until 1:15 and I think the numbing effects had worn off by then! Now we know for next time...
Helping to flush her port
Kate loves to be a helper and the nurses let her flush her port before they de-access her. Although she was shocked and upset by the poke she was quick to forgive and help finish up the process.
8 comments:
What a brave little Kate! You must be the proud momma of your good little patient. There must be a plethora of reasons that "patient" is the word we use to describe people navigating their way through the medical world, right?!
makes me want to cry too! you both are brave...
Oh, that just breaks my heart seeing her cry. Seeing little kids with tears in their eyes is the saddest thing to me. But I know she is a strong little girl. Those kids have a wonderful mother in you Carolyn. I know how tender you are inside and what amazing hugs you give. I've been on the receiving end of them before :)Love ya
Deb
What a sweetheart. I still can't believe how brave she is day in and day out.
Ok, that second picture is just so heartbreaking! Other than that, Kate looks great and cute as ever.
This breaks my heart and bring tears to my eyes. I'm so sorry that little Kate is carrying this burden (as well as all of you). Our prayers are with you and she is one STRONG and special little girl. Hang in there Kate...I am truly amazed.
Kate is such a strong little girl. The second picture brought tears to my eyes. What a sweetheart. I just want to give her (and you) a big hug!
Hey Carolyn,I just wanted to say that you and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. You have a VERY special, beautiful family and i KNOW that yall can get through this. I am so proud of Kate for being such a brave, big girl about all of this. If you need ANYTHING please let me know! I miss you all and I hope to see yall soon!! p.s. give the kids a big hug from Miss Errica :)
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