August 3, 2008: Excellent Start Continues
At 2 a.m., the pump alarm screeches down the hall. The display reads: “NO FOOD.” I look up. The bag is half full. I flush her line with water. Goes in without trouble. I reset the pump, unhook and rehook her. Start the pump again. Go back to sleep. Awakened once again to the sound of the alarm. I repeat all of the above steps in an attempt to delude myself that second time’s the charm. No such luck. I have read ”the secret” and tried very hard to just behave as if the pump was working. No such luck either. Abandoned my belief in “the secret.” Shut off pump after one more try.
Wake up to find the her abdomen around the site all red and oozy. Brought her into the ER. Site was declared irritated but not infected. Haley made sure those nurses never forgot her– alternating between screaming on the top of her lungs anytime they touched the tube and singing “tomorrow” from ANNIE, complete with ridiculously cute hand gestures.
Long day. Pump is running. so far. quiet. Shhhhhhh. don’t wake up the alarm.
