Treatment #8 and Our Routine

Today was treatment #8, just the "V" medicine. E did well until we realized Nurse Karen was not in today. That was very disappointing news. This was the first time Daddy hasn't been able to come with us. His "stand-ins" were Nahna and Audrey. E wanted Audrey to see what happened when we went to the doctor. We took pictures of the routine.

First we put numbing cream on her port (aka Ariel) and magic paper (press n seal saran wrap). I forgot to take a picture of this. But there is a picture further down of it at the clinic. Then we get in the car. E picks out a movie to watch and a special snack for once we are done.

Then she pushed the elevator buttons because, as she says, "I'm in charge!"

Then we walk into the clinic. E was so excited for Audrey to be with us! (And Nahna too!)

We check in and then we wait. There are a few toys and a tv with kids shows on. Usually Sponge Bob is on when we get there. NOT my favorite...

Then we see Nurse Rhonda to take temperature, check blood pressure (give her arm or leg a "hug") and height. She gained 1/4 of a pound since last week. Up to 31 1/4 lbs! We like good numbers :)

Thanks Nurse Rhonda!

Then we go into one of four rooms and wait...

and wait...

and wait...

Usually not too long of a wait. A Nurse Practitioner, Diane, comes in and asks how the week has been. Listens to lungs, heart, checks eyes, ears, mouth and stomach. Then they access her port. Usually this is where Nurse Karen comes in. But today Diane did it.

E likes to pull of the magic paper and wipe off the cream. 

We all have to wear masks. E won't wear one. She just put it on today for show. Daddy usually draws a funny face on his mask.

This is the butterfly they use to access her port and administer her medicine.

This is the table with all the medicine. Only one tube is medicine. The others are to draw blood, flush her port and to keep from clotting. If the medicine comes back out on her skin, it will burn her skin. They always check for Mr Red once the butterfly is in to make sure everything is working right.

Clean and sterilize the area. E would do this if they would let her.

The butterfly is in. E watches the whole time they are putting it in.

They draw blood, give meds, take out the butterfly and put on a bandaid. Then we are good to go home. This is Nurse Diane. On the weeks she gets the "A" medicine, we have to wait for her blood work to come back before getting any medicine to make sure her body is ready for it.

She gets to pick a toy from the pink bucket.

We look at the silly giraffes to see what hats they are wearing this week.

And we drop off the blood with Nurse Pat. She puts it in the "rocket" (red tube) and E pushes the button to make it fly to the lab. Nurse Pat is also the one who does the finger pricks if we have to draw blood that way.

Then we go home! E gets some sort of special princess present from mommy and daddy every week when we get home. Yes, we have LOTS of princess stuff at our house.