2nd PAM Hard Stick And Hell At The Hostpital!

Well, it has been a very stressful past 3 days! Sonya had her Pamidronate (PAM) treatments Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week and it was not smooth sailing the first day. We got to her appointment on time despite the wicked traffic on I95 due to some idiot who crashed his Lexis into the center concrete median strip. He passed me about 25 minutes before his fancy shmancy, weaving in and out of traffic, 100 and some odd # mph driving car kissed the concrete... luckily no one else was involved.

Ok, so we arrived at 1 pm (her appointment time) and then proceeded to wait 30 minutes before being taken back into the day medicine unit for treatment because they only had one receptionist on duty checking everyone in! Great 30 minute delay.... When we did get in and settled the nurses were already set to place her IV, so I thought that's good there will be no wait for the medicine to arrive like there usually is. All the usual preparations were taken before an IV attempt was ever made. We had applied Elma cream (lidocaine, numbing cream) to all possible insertion sites and wrapped her hands and feet in double layer socks for warmth (to plump up the veins) and she drank like a fish, water and juice that is, to ensure excellent hydration further more making her veins nice and ample. Sonya's first treatment was a breeze 8 weeks ago and they managed to place her IV with the first stick. We were not so lucky this time! The first nurse tried to place the IV and after 30 minutes blew out one of Sonya's veins! There was blood spurting everywhere! Her arm, my arm, my jeans and t-shirt, her whole outfit, the bed sheets, the floor, even the chair next to us were all covered in red. I, of course, freaked out and started screaming "What's happening? is that normal? Oh my God!" I have never seen a vein blow out before and had no idea that so much blood would be spilled. I was assured by the nurse that this sometimes happens when a vein blows out which is also an occasional occurrence.

After a 5 minute break for Sonya and some cuddle time with mommy to calm her down the second nurse gave it her best shot and after another 30 minutes she had blown the second vein! More blood.... Sonya was so upset, crying, screaming, sweating profusely and had started to hyperventilate.

Another 5 minute break, more cuddling and then the third nurse gave it her all and blew out the third vein! More blood, and I am about to cry! I started practically screaming "Why does this keep happening? Can I get someone with major experience? Like from the ER?"

So we took a ten minute break and Sonya was almost asleep from all the trauma when the emergency IV team came up to the day medicine unit. 30 minutes pass again and the first stick didn't work. I was pleading with God at this point for them to just get it placed so that she could receive her treatment and for the whole ordeal to just be over! I had lost all sense of time and the emergency IV tech said to me "I don't know what you want to do.... I mean I can't have her being stuck so many times... If this next stick doesn't work, we are done." Sonya's day nurse then said "There's also the time factor here... it's almost 4pm."Oh my God, I couldn't believe that for almost 2 and a half hours they have been trying like heck to place Sonya's IV! I was so engrossed in Sonya and trying to soothe her, I didn't even realize how much time had lapsed. I knew it was taking forever, but I didn't realize it was that long!!! It wasn't that they couldn't get the needle in her vein, they did every time, but they couldn't get the blood flowing.

Prayers said and fingers crossed, the emergency IV tech tried again and after 10 minutes with the IV inserted she coaxed the blood out with rubbing her arm. Sonya was still crying, but she was so exhausted that she started falling asleep in between her screams. Her IV was placed just before 4pm, it was taped down and secured with wraps and her medicine was hooked up. She slept for 2 hours straight (not typical of Sonya at all, she has been done with naps for a few months now).

When Miss Sonya Sunshine awoke she was happy as ever! It was as if she forgot about the whole mess! She was very forgiving with all of the nurses and smiled and waved to each and everyone that went by as she played with her tea set and picnic basket. Our doctor had come back to see us and he had no answer for why this whole ordeal took place. The IV tech even said that she had no idea why her blood wouldn't flow. It was then suggested that if this were to occur the next time we come in for treatment (in 8 weeks) then we would have two options, a port or no PAM. I am really hoping and praying that this was just an absolutely crazy fluke and that I will not be faced with this decision! Getting a port would mean another surgery for Sonya and I don't like the idea of the central line to the heart... it scares me! On the other hand, I do NOT want my baby to NOT receive the treatment she NEEDS to improve her quality of life and preserve what little bone strength she now has. Please pray for us that this will not continue to be an issue!

The rest of the day went well and we were done at about 7:30pm. Sonya slept the whole way home (an hour and 15 minutes) and then went straight to bed without so much as a flinch! What a long day!

Day two went super smooth and luckily that IV stayed in it's place and functioned properly! We had visitors too! Rachel and her son Dylan (4 years old OI type 3 severe) came to visit us after his swim therapy. Dylan was so sweet! He didn't want to stay long though and was worried that he was going to be getting his PAM too! We assured him that it was just Sonya's turn and that there were no ouchies in store for him! The two of them sat on Sonya's bed and munched on some yummy Goldfish and pretzels that Rachel and Dylan brought to share! How sweet! I wished I remembered my camera... I totally forgot it at home! Maybe next time! Day three also went well and Sonya was very lucky to have the grandmother "Gammy", my mom come along with! Sonya showed her Gammy how she plays dress up and tea party and how she is very good at naming items in her books and flash cards. We are so glad this week is over! I'll have more soon about this week with the girls back to school pictures and updates, but I think this is long enough for now! Have a great weekend all!

All cleaned up in a new outfit and playing dress up! (That's a yawn, she's still slightly tired.)

Loving the sequins!

Such a princess!

Haha! Those necklaces come all the way down to her crotch!

Playing tea party with mommy and Mr. Kitty puppet operated by mommy's hand.

She even poured some tea for all the nurses that stopped in for checks as well as her doctor and his assistant! What a sweetheart and quite the hostess in her hospital cubicle!