05/10/2013

From Cindy: So I have had quite a day. Yesterday (Wednesday) Hannah had her best day ever! She was face-timing with her siblings and really being herself. She even began to get her appetite back a little. She let me syringe feed her about 12 oz. of milk which was fantastic. Then at about 10 pm they arrived with the first doses of Chemotherapy drugs. They administered them at 10 and 11pm. By 2am she was having problems with her oxygen sats. She kept de-sating. Down to like the mid to low 80's then bouncing up to low 90's. We increased her oxygen and changed from the cannula to a mask but things just didn't improve. Finally we couldn't keep her above 90% and they called in the docs. By 3 they booked her a room in the ICU and by 4 we were there. It was terrible. She was so traumatized and exhausted. They ended up giving her sedatives to calm her and keep her from panicking about the mask.

She has done well today. Although I hate the sedation situation, I am grateful that she is comfortable. They are allowing me to use the essential oils which I am grateful for too. Tomorrow I am going to see about the n g tube so we can deliver some nutrition. If Heavenly Father will preserve her long enough for us to be able to get some of these natural remedies on board it will be fantastic. Pray for that.

I have to say that the nurses are so wonderful to us. They and the Drs. are okay with our smelling up the room with the beautiful scents of these ancient oils. The room smells like I am cooking thanksgiving and making candy canes all at once! It's kinda funny. It really isn't a strong smell, just a gentle waft when you get close to her feet. It feels good to rub them in and feel like I am helping a little. I can't tell if she is aware of what I am doing but I just know she feels my love and presence. I think it is such kind therapy apposed to the clinical and sterile chemo.