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Our
Journey:
Journey:
Avalon's Army of Angels
| October 30, 2009 Home health care - first PICC change |
Today was the first change of the PICC dressing. First things first, we LOVE our home health
care nurse. She is spectacular! She was funny, gentle, interested, all around a FABULOUS
nurse.
As for the dressing change itself, it's very painful. Avalon was in agony. She was really brave
though. There were lots of tears, and many, many "Owieeee"s...but she was a trooper. I had
to hold her left hand, because she was doing to reflex action of reaching over and trying to
protect the right arm. However, the nurse said she was truly impressed, Avalon never argued,
and NEVER moved her right arm. She held perfectly still, a sign of how many times she's been
asked to submit to painful procedures. On the one hand, I'm proud of her for being so brave
and so willing to do what needs to be done. On the other hand...I'm angry that she has had to
learn to be like that. It's too much. The life of a child shouldn't be about procedures and pain
management. I know far too many of them that have to live with those burdens...
As our nurse left, we followed her, dropping Aurora off at the Columbus Zoo for "Boo at the
Zoo". The zoo aides are invited to volunteer for the event, in full costume. Aurora lives for the
chance to scare people on the after-dark train rides.
The little ones were badgering me to go home, get costumes, and go back to the zoo. Aurora
and I agreed, with temperatures in the high 60's, a clear sky, and being on a Fri night...the zoo
was set to be packed. Not only were we not sure where or when Aurora would be places, but
I'm utterly paranoid. Avalon goes for surgery on Wed. If she is exposed to something, tonight,
it would be in full swing by Wed...not good for 2 1/2 hours under anesthesia. Aurora promised
me her feelings weren't hurt that we couldn't come. She PROMISED. That, however, didn't
stop the little ones.
On the way home, I did my best to be logical and calm...and yet they continued. Finally,
Ambrosia said, "Do you want to know why I really want to go to Boo at the Zoo?"
"Yes!"
"Because Aurora is sad she doesn't have anything."
"What?!"
"Aurora is sad she doesn't have anything for people to go to anymore, like I have soccer and
Avalon has cheerleading. I want to go to Boo at the Zoo and cheer for Aurora. I want her to
know she's important. I want to make her happy."
Wow...I have great kids.... Instead of going to the zoo, I texted Aurora what Ambrosia had said.
I think the thought really did mean more than the action would have. Knowing the girls didn't
want candy, they were only thinking of *sissy*...was a pretty big deal.
I'm the luckiest mom alive...I have GREAT kids....
care nurse. She is spectacular! She was funny, gentle, interested, all around a FABULOUS
nurse.
As for the dressing change itself, it's very painful. Avalon was in agony. She was really brave
though. There were lots of tears, and many, many "Owieeee"s...but she was a trooper. I had
to hold her left hand, because she was doing to reflex action of reaching over and trying to
protect the right arm. However, the nurse said she was truly impressed, Avalon never argued,
and NEVER moved her right arm. She held perfectly still, a sign of how many times she's been
asked to submit to painful procedures. On the one hand, I'm proud of her for being so brave
and so willing to do what needs to be done. On the other hand...I'm angry that she has had to
learn to be like that. It's too much. The life of a child shouldn't be about procedures and pain
management. I know far too many of them that have to live with those burdens...
As our nurse left, we followed her, dropping Aurora off at the Columbus Zoo for "Boo at the
Zoo". The zoo aides are invited to volunteer for the event, in full costume. Aurora lives for the
chance to scare people on the after-dark train rides.
The little ones were badgering me to go home, get costumes, and go back to the zoo. Aurora
and I agreed, with temperatures in the high 60's, a clear sky, and being on a Fri night...the zoo
was set to be packed. Not only were we not sure where or when Aurora would be places, but
I'm utterly paranoid. Avalon goes for surgery on Wed. If she is exposed to something, tonight,
it would be in full swing by Wed...not good for 2 1/2 hours under anesthesia. Aurora promised
me her feelings weren't hurt that we couldn't come. She PROMISED. That, however, didn't
stop the little ones.
On the way home, I did my best to be logical and calm...and yet they continued. Finally,
Ambrosia said, "Do you want to know why I really want to go to Boo at the Zoo?"
"Yes!"
"Because Aurora is sad she doesn't have anything."
"What?!"
"Aurora is sad she doesn't have anything for people to go to anymore, like I have soccer and
Avalon has cheerleading. I want to go to Boo at the Zoo and cheer for Aurora. I want her to
know she's important. I want to make her happy."
Wow...I have great kids.... Instead of going to the zoo, I texted Aurora what Ambrosia had said.
I think the thought really did mean more than the action would have. Knowing the girls didn't
want candy, they were only thinking of *sissy*...was a pretty big deal.
I'm the luckiest mom alive...I have GREAT kids....