On Thursday evening, while carrying out our daily trach tie cleaning routine, we had a couple of scares.
The first one I noticed when preparing to remove the felt trach ties. Apparently I had trimmed the Poly-Mem liner, that is placed around the trach, too short. Poly-Mem is used to soak up secretions and to also protect her skin around the trach.
What I discovered was since the Poly-Mem was a little too short, her skin was blistered directly under the eyelet in the trach, where the felt tie is inserted.
The second scare was when we were cleaning the area all around the stoma (the hole in her neck). We noticed a little blood on one side, and as we got that cleaned up, there was a lot more on the other side. We quickly cleaned everything and searched the entire area for the source while we mentally prepared ourselves for a long evening back at Children's. However everything looked great and after further checking, we think it might have been a result of a tiny cut that Katie had on her finger.
I honestly have to say, the stress wiped both of us out that evening.
I'm sure that this is only one of many little panic attacks that we are going to encounter as long as Sadbh has a trach.
Our trach cleaning went a lot better this evening, and the blister appeared to have dissipated. We will keep an eye on it for the next few days to make sure that everything heals nicely.
Nothing good to report on the nurse front today. The agency is scrambling to move nurses around from other assignments so they can replace a couple of our existing ones, and they are hopeful that they will have this resolved sometime next week.
It's been a particularly grueling week, especially for Katie. The stress of our nursing issue, the fussiness of Princess Angry Bird, the constant feedings and lack of sleep have left Katie frazzled and exhausted. Some of these experiences are very common with all new borns, however I feel there is a slightly heightened level of stress as we try to determine if Sadbh's fussiness is caused by an issue with her trach, or simply just the normal things that upset babies.
I received some excellent parental advise and mentoring from a friend at work today. She referenced a comment I made on Wednesday regarding how Sadbh's sleeping pattern is gone completely off schedule. Unbeknownst to me, babies don't typically have a schedule, and as soon as a parent feels they have a regular routine figured out, the baby will always prove them wrong.
I am not entirely disappointed in this revelation, but I am encouraged now that my expectations have been readjusted.
So Sadbh got her first taste of Indian cuisine tonight, or she will the next time she feeds from mommy. Our good friends Sean and Megan came by to meet Sadbh and brought some delicious Indian food. It was great hanging out and Sadbh was very happy to fall asleep in Megan's arms. Thank you!!
I took so many great photos of Sadbh during her bath time, and with mommy and even a few with Megan, however I was disappointed to discover that I had forgotten to insert the memory card in my camera, so none of the photos were saved.
I suppose, it's better to happen now than at her graduation or her wedding.
Have a great day, all the best,
Wayne, Katie and Sadbh.
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