H1N1

I'm not a worrier. Really. I'm not. I've been a positive thinker and believer for as long as I can remember. And I'm not easily freaked out by a whole lot of hype. However, this H1N1 does kind of scare me. A little. And it's just because the likelihood of Harlie getting it and being able to fight it on her own is very slim. Which means hospital time. And then it goes into pneumonia, etc. Not good stuff for a girl with no pulmonary reserve. When a few alveoli have a hard time exchanging oxygen, it shows. Negatively.

So, after doing some research, talking with docs, etc., we decided we wanted her and the boys to get the vaccination. But you can't get it. I called the Health Department and they told me that maybe on Friday they would get another shipment. Of course, I'm working on Friday.

Well, I got a call today from one of her docs that told me they had a very limited supply.

"Bring Harlie and the sibs in today."

Sweet!

So, as soon as I got Murphy from school, we put all the kids in the car and headed on over. I told Murphy that he was going to get a shot. Of course he asked why. So, I explained all about vaccinations. It is so cool to be able to have a conversation like that with him. And have him understand it. And can you believe that when Murphy got his shot, he didn't cry one tear? He said it didn't even hurt. Fabulous! Of course, I don't think Harlie and Cooper agreed.

But I feel better now. Just a little less to worry about - and that means a lot right now.

And as soon as I cross one thing off my list - Harlie adds another to take it's place.

Tonight as we were getting ready for bed, I told Harlie that I needed to change her trach ties. She promptly - as if she has always done it - reached to the back of her neck and undid the velcro ties. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

Just in case you don't quite get the seriousness of this - undoing the ties means the trach will come out - guaranteed - and she won't be able to breathe. That's it. Won't be able to breathe. No big deal.

Luckily, I was right there, ready to go. But HOLY COW!!! She CAN NOT undo her own trach ties! What if she does it when she's in the playroom and I'm in the kitchen? Will I be able to hear her if she does it? What if she does it when we're in the car and I'm on the interstate?

Oh, the worry!!!!

I suppose it will only take once for her to get that she doesn't want to do that again. I just hope that it happens when one of us is standing right beside her. With a brand new trach in our hands. Yeah right.

Take care!
~Christy