Saturday, May 26, 2007

Define High Maintenance



My parents just spent an entire 24 hour day with me at the hospital. They had to prove that they could manage my care before bringing me home on Tuesday.

A day with me includes:
1. Watching the central line dressing on my chest and replacing when necessary.
2. Connecting and disconnecting the IV fluids that will run at night.
3. Feeding me four bottle cocktails a day. (formula plus extras) Oh, I prefer a formula that cannot be purchased in stores...it is ordered through the pharmacy. I like to scream throughout the process to add some extra stress.
4. Every 3-4 hours refilling my formula pump for my feedings at night while I am sleeping. This goes into my feeding tube.
5. Administering medications every three hours around the clock.
6. Administering the enzymes that I need for digestion. They are given with applesauce through my feeding tube in my belly.
7. PD, which is postural drainage. They vibrate my lungs to clear away any mucus I have built up. This is like a rough massage and I like it.
8. Normal baby things, like a bath, weights and measurements, playing with toys, etc.
9. Watching me sleep.

Yes, the day ended with an exhausted mother and father. I threw up on both of them, just for good measure.....trying to break them in right, ya know?

I may not be a celebrity just yet, but I am pretty high maintenance.

....but I am worth it.

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