Blood - Needles - Support Stockings

Sorry it's been so long since my last post...time sort of got away from me. Brooke is doing well. She's had blood tests done at home by home health nurses Monday and today (and will again on Friday). The problem has been actually hitting a vein. Brooke has little tiny rolley veins which is not good. It took 3 nurses, 2 visits and 6 sticks to get it drawn on Monday with blood results of 1.08. Today entailed 2 sticks and a call to her doctor in Albq. to see if they could do a finger prick instead. A prayer was answered when Dr. Libby ok'ed it. Using this method, the nurse had it done in a matter of seconds, in the machine, results given and a call in to Dr. Libby to report it. This is so much easier on Brooke than the traditional method! Her blood levels are slowly coming up. She's at 1.2 now and she needs to be between 2-3. All of you Coumadin experts out there please forgive me if I give mis-information. This is new to me so I'm learning it as we go. Give me a break...I was working on my PhD in Neutropenia research when this hit. Ha.

Brooke is bruising some now...her belly looks awful. There are so many blood spots and I feel like I'm running out of places to stick her. I'm ready for these Lovenox shots to be over with! We have two more days left and Dr. Libby will determine if we can stop them or if we have to go another 7 days. He's increasing the Coumadin dose starting tonight so maybe his plan is to stop the Lovenox tomorrow night? Hope so! Brooke has had 24 needle sticks since Friday. Only 8 of the 24 were not in her belly, so you can imagine how tender and sore it must be! It hurts me to give her shots each night. I'd gladly take it all from her if I could!!! We see Dr. Libby a week from Friday in Albq. to follow-up on the treatment plan, etc. Thank goodness Brooke was already established as his patient! He has made this process treatable in Clovis. It's so nice not to have to drive to Albq. for EVERY single thing...we are there enough as it is.

Brooke continues to wear her white stockings for protection and I haven't noticed her legs falling asleep in a few days so maybe her circulation is improving some? The swelling is still in her thigh, but does look better. I think things are improving. She still feels great, and is super happy today because dad stayed home with her and put new batteries in her saxophone. UGH!!! It is by far the most annoying musical toy ever created, but remains her all-time favorite. She's pretty excited because I'm taking her to school tomorrow for a visit. She misses her friends!! Hopefully she'll be back at school next week. Pray for less-clotting in her blood.