Monday, August 5, 2013

A Trip Back To The ER

     Our little Hazelnut spiked her usual between Chemo fever, so we are here at the CHLA Emergency Room waiting to be admitted.  Her hemoglobin level is at 5.2 (anything under 8 requires a transfusion), and her ANC ( a comprehensive white blood cell count) is at a 0.01 ( anything below 500 is considered neutropenic). So needless to say, he will be getting a blood transfusion. Her platelets are at 6,000 when they should be at least 20,000, so she will getting a platelet transfusion as well. These numbers can sometimes dumbfound me. Hazel has been, and continues to be, so full of energy throughout this entire process that you would never know this was going on inside her little body. Even the doctors and the nurses are always surprised by her numbers when they see her! But today, I have relied on my mommy instincts once again.
     When we were at home, her fever never reached the magic number to send us to the ER, but I know my daughter, and I know when her fever will continue to go up. And she was not quite acting herself today, so I was very proactive in getting her here. I am so thankful for these instincts, because her fever go higher and those blood counts were so low! I've continued to use these instincts even here in the ER. A nurse's assistant came in to take Hazel's temperature and got a reading of 97.1! She had been close to 101 before this, so I didn't trust this number an asked to have them do it again. He got a reading of 97.5. He took down these numbers and left the room to give them to the nurse. My instincts told me that this reading was still wrong, so I took her temperature myself and got a reading of 100.6!!! This discrepancy scares me. So I called the nurse in to tell him my reading an he took the temperature himself and got a reading of 99.6. He asked me to do it for him, to make sure what I did before was correct. I took her temperature the exact same way I did before and got the exact same reading as before: 100.6.  The nurse and his assistant both did their jobs and I don't know how this could have happened. But if I had accepted the original reading of 97.1 and Hazel's temperature went up, it could have been so dangerous for her! So I urge every parent to trust their instincts and do not be afraid to speak up! The worst that can  happen is that you're wrong. But if you don't speak up, and your instincts were right, then the worst actually can happen.
     Once we get admitted, which should be any minute, we will be here until her counts come back up (this is all becoming all too familiar, right?!). In some ways this works much better for us. Hazel's CT Scan was scheduled for 8:00 tomorrow morning. Since we will already be here, I will not have to drag a sleepy, and most likely grumpy, 2 year old to an uncomfortable waiting room filled with germs. Instead, Hazel can drink the nasty contrast solution to prep her for the scan and wait comfortably in a familiar hospital room. Also, I may even be able to get the results back from the scan and talk to the doctor about them in person! I was really not looking forward to having that conversation over the phone.
     So tomorrow is going to be a VERY big day and I ask that you pray extra hard for us. There has been a term that I have read on a lot of support group sites that I am a part of that seems to really apply to how I am feeling about tomorrow and its is: SCANXIETY. So please pray for my scanxiety, and that I will sense God's presence, strength and peace tomorrow; and that I will put all of my trust in Him. Please pray for Aaron who has to be at work during these next days. Pray for him to be able to trust that God is in control of all of this and that he will be able to concentrate!  I know God has had His hands all over this journey and tomorrow is no exception!!

             Here is Hazel in the ER

34 comments:

  1. Will be praying for you and your family Lauren.

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  2. Prayers to Hazel and you all. Thank you for taking the time to update. You are ALWAYS in our prayers.

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  3. Praying for you and your family Hazel u can do this God is holding your hand <3

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  4. Praying for You, Hazel, and your entire family!

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  5. Lauren, Praying for precious Hazel, her doctors and for her complete healing. I pray for you and Aaron to feel God's presence, strength and peace tomorrow.
    God Bless
    Clare Cliff

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  6. Praying, praying, praying. We came across your little Hazelnut and her story and will continue to read your updates from now on and pray for her! My son drew her some pictures today and we put them in the mail, so hopefully she will get them when she gets back home and they can put a smile on her face. Praying for Hazel and your family!! Hugs.

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  7. Thinking of you little Hazel!! Sending positivity and love to you!
    Shelby Lutjsn

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  8. just curious if there is a room number for another pizza party?

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  9. I'm sending an abundance of love straight to you, Hazel, Aaron, Mica, Elizabeth, and Jonah. Prayers for tomorrow asking God to clear all obstacles and barriers to Hazel's recovery.

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  10. God bless her little heart! She is so precious.

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  11. Sending prayers & positive thoughts to Hazel! Keep being a tough little cookie!

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  13. Keeping Hazel and family in my thoughts.

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  14. Hazel the your whole family will be in my prayers tonight. God Bless!

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  15. Praying for Hazel and your family from Florida. Keep your trust on God and he will make this better!

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  16. god bless her. she is a beauty. praying for hazel

    much love from Danmark.

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  17. prayers from France, for such an innocent little girl who should never have to live such tragical events

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  18. Praying for you all and for results we all want on her scan. Thank-yu for keeping us posted. Not many moments go by that I don't think of your sweet daughter. God Bless you baby Hazel. We all have so much love for you. Love from Calif.

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  19. praying and crossing fingers, heart, sending you all our more positives thoughs from France... <3

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  20. I am praying everyday for Hazel, she is a beautiful little girl and praying for the rest of your family to be strong and trust in God.

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  21. Prayers for you all!! Hang in there little one!!

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  22. Praying for your today. Such a gorgeous baby girl.

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  23. Prayers for you today little Hazel.....May God bless over you during this difficult time...God Bless

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  24. Prayers goes out for your entire family to be strong, I know God is always by Hazelnut side. God bless you guys.

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  25. My prayers for Hazelnut & your whole family.

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  26. I'm checking in all day, thinking about her scan. Hoping she's comfortable.

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  27. I have followed Hazel's story and I just hope for continued strength for your family. you're an inspiration to all mother's.

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  28. Praying for all of you and Hazel. God has given you great discernment with your mommy instincts and know that his Holy Spirit is in the midst of your family.

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  29. Praying for your sweet Hazel and all of you. God be with this prescious baby and her family. May they find strength and comfort through you.

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  30. Keeping al of you in our prayers, both today and always. (((hugs)))

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  31. Prayers to Hazel from Brazil! Keep going, little princess! I have two children, one girl, almost 5 yr old, and one boy, 1 yr 9 mth old. I can barely imagine what you, the parents, are feeling, passing through all of this. I sincerely hope that she gets well as soon as possible. All the best for all of you!

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  32. Thinking of you Hazel and your families. Will pray for you.
    From Toronto, Canada

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  33. Prayers for this little cutie bundle of joy. It is already well with you and to you mommy, what can I say to you, can only imagine how hard this time is for you, but please be strong.

    The worst of this is the diagnosis of this aliment and it can only get better, not worse.

    God will surely strengthen you and the entire in this trying time.

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