On Wednesday, Claire had her blood drawn for her 9 month thyroid check. I have been dreading, and praying about, this appointment for weeks. Before we went in to the hospital I called the lab to see who their expert in hard to draw kids was. I knew what days she worked and was as prepared as I could be.
When we were called back for the draw I explained to the gal there that Claire was nearly impossible to get blood from. After her OHS we had 5 or 6 NICU and PICU nurses try and fail. So I wasn't too optimistic, but we needed to try.
We wrapped Claire in a warm blanket and I rocked her for about 15 minutes. By then she was toasty warm and getting sleepy. We laid her on the table and only took one arm from under the blanket. There was another gal there just to hold Claire's arm. Claire watched very calmly as they poked at her arm. When she stuck Claire with the needle, Claire didn't even flinch. She had to search just a tiny bit for the vein, and throughout the whole thing not a single tear was shed. We got the blood we needed, and it was, by far, the best blood draw we've ever had.
We wrapped Claire in a warm blanket and I rocked her for about 15 minutes. By then she was toasty warm and getting sleepy. We laid her on the table and only took one arm from under the blanket. There was another gal there just to hold Claire's arm. Claire watched very calmly as they poked at her arm. When she stuck Claire with the needle, Claire didn't even flinch. She had to search just a tiny bit for the vein, and throughout the whole thing not a single tear was shed. We got the blood we needed, and it was, by far, the best blood draw we've ever had.
On a different note, thank you all for you emails and comments on my post about Brian. It's kind of scary to talk about such a personal situation, as you can never be sure what the reaction will be. I'm sure that post made some people uncomfortable, where they just didn't know what to say. But I'm so thankful for those that did leave comments. And if I haven't responded to your emails or comments, I haven't forgotten about you!
So glad the blood draw went well this time. Our Dr. office has a red light that they hold under the arm and you can see all the veins, they have used this with Emily before because she is a notorious tough stick. Claire is such a little cutie!
ReplyDeleteI might need to use this picture for one of my DS picture's, framed, if you don't mind! I just read the Brian post, I must have missed it. How horrible for you. I can't even imagine. My heart stopped just reading it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a good idea to keep her warm before and during the blood draw. I know we put a heat pack on Luc sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLove this pic of Claire, she is such a beauty.
My daughter is neurotic about some things. I had to have her put under the gas to clean some impacted wax from her ears! So when she had to have a blood draw about six months ago, I was physically ill thinking about the scene. Mind you, she is 12, not a baby! We found out that the key to finding the vein is drinking lots and lots of fluids before. So anyway, I understand the angst. I'm so glad it worked this time!
ReplyDeleteI know it had to be hard to talk about the loss of your husband. I applaud you.
good blood draws are worth celebrating!!
ReplyDeleteJust went to read your post about Brian. It took my breath away, i'm so sorry. thank you for sharing such a personal and difficult time in your life with us.