A Change of Scenery

What a busy week so far! Kiera and I flew via very small medical jet to Houston to Texas Children's Hospital. The transport team was great and Kiera did very well. She slept for most of it, but woke up in the middle of the flight, looked for and found me, and gave me a big smile. We played a little bit. Then she got agitated probably from her malacia obstructing her trach a bit, and the team sedated her and kept her pretty sedated for the rest of the trip. It was funny to see their reactions after she "shook off" (as my dad would say) dose after dose of fentanyl and versed and had her propofol doses only last about 10 minutes. Kiera said, "Are you kidding? I eat that stuff for breakfast."

I have checked into my room at the Ronald McDonald House and can receive mail for Kiera Wright (even my mail should be addressed to her) at 1907 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX, 77030. Of course, you can reach me on my cell, but I won't be able to answer when I am in the PICU. I have gotten to know a few parents through Ronald McDonald House which is helpful for support and feeling not so alone. It's such a great and needed charity. So much is provided for me that really helps. I never knew what a big difference they make in people's lives.

It's a tough transition getting used to all the new people, but everyone is very nice. It's such a BIG hospital, and since it's a teaching hospital there are tons of doctors. I think there may have been at least 7 or 8 involved in her rounds this morning alone, plus 2 or 3 others who stopped in later. It makes me miss Pres a little. It was much more intimate. Of course, it may just take some getting used to. It is good to have some many people working to find a solution for Kiera. There are 31 beds in PICU organized in pods. Kiera's room is small, maybe a third the size that she had in her corner "princess suite" at Pres. She won't have room for her amazing wardrobe and toy collection, so I will need to rotate her stuff as it gets dirty or "tiresome to her." :) I'm glad I brought the essential toys I did. She likes the consistency. I also bought her an awesome lady bug balloon today. She loves it and was laughing at it right away when she woke up and saw it. She has adjusted remarkably well to the new environment and faces. It's been a lot for her. Plus, the doctors have been weaning her vent settings and drugs pretty aggressively and running lots of diagnostics, and it seems tiring to her.

I'm probably having a harder time with the change than she is. I should have bumped her O2 today while she was having a little trouble and normally would have at home (Pres) but somehow didn't react the same with new people and new orientations for the equipment. One time yesterday it would have been appropriate to bag her, and I would have at home but didn't know how the nurses might react to that. I feel a little out of place, but I'm getting more comfortable. I missed meeting the PT and OT people today. I had come back to the house for a nap, and Kiera was sleeping so they didn't mess with her. I hope they are as good with her as they were at Pres.

Side note on being out of place: I was so excited that the coffee shop here has Kolaches from Shipley Donuts since our ABQ one closed. I was choosing mine and saw one with something green in it and asked if it was green chile without thinking twice. I got a weird look and a huh? It was jalapeno. When they did them in ABQ they used to use green chile.

Okidoki, I think that's all for now. I should go to sleep so I'm ready for tomorrow. I am at the hospital a lot more so I can meet everyone, ask and answer questions, and keep Kiera comfortable, micro-manage her care, etc. I have pictures from the plane on my archaic 35 mm film camera so you'll have to wait till I finish the roll. However, Jer got some of the plane that I will try to upload Friday. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes and all the calls, especially the call from Terri at Pres yesterday to see that we made it okay and the call from Dr. Crow that I missed today. Kiera and I miss everybody.

Love,
Therese