This Doesn't Usually Happen, But...

Leave it to us to be a rare case.

On Wed., I took Cohen to the hematologist's for his monthly hours-long IVIG infusion. The hematologist could not get an IV in. Let me repeat that.  The blood doctor could not access his veins.  Crazy. He tells us we need to have a port-a-cath placed in Cohen's chest so we can access that whenever we need to put something in or take blood out.  That way we won't have to try an IV with multiple sticks cuz OUCH, that's one humongous needle... He schedules surgery for the next day. What? Tomorrow?


There wasn't much time to ask a lot of questions, but I did ask what the risks were when the surgeon came over to discuss what would happen when Cohen went back. He never said that the needle could puncture Cohen's vein just above his lung and that blood could leak down, causing a weird sort of bloody pneumonia.  But that's what happened.

So what was supposed to be an in-and-out surgery has now become a wonderful two-night stay at the hospital. Since I never went home, I was actually still wearing the same clothes at noon when I went to pick Hannah up from school because I didn't have enough time to change when Craig came to switch with me. Ugghhh! Good thing they give you deodorant and toothpaste in those little parent care packs! Can you believe that I then dared to take Hannah to McDonald's to give her some undivided mommy play-time before taking her home? Grunge and all.

Hopefully, Cohen will be able to come home tomorrow. Please pray for this to all resolve itself. The alternative is not pretty. I feel so bad for him. He is sore and unhappy, but a trooper! It does not appear as though he is in any big danger, but they are keeping him for observation in case they need to take action. They will do another x-ray tomorrow.

It could be worse. Another poor mom's son had a bleed in his intestines after surgery and was gushing blood out both ends. I think I'd pass out if I saw something like that (turns out he is going to be okay - thank God for blood transfusions!)

Craig and I were supposed to go to a company Christmas party tonight, not sure how that will happen now.  Probably for the best, since the only pair of decent dress slacks I have (and had planned on wearing) lost their hem (screw expensive department stores!) and I just noticed it yesterday. I've only worn them once.

Besides, if one of my kids is miserable, there's nowhere else I'd rather be -- armed with plenty of hugs and kisses, of course!