What’s worse than one lumbar puncture? TWO OF THEM!

by Veronica on September 6, 2012

in Life

Oh internet, I am shattered after this afternoon. They recannulated Evelyn in order to take lots of blood, only to have the line kink and require lots of fiddling with.

Eventually they got the line working again (I’ll point out here that it was nothing anyone did wrong, just a thing that happens), while Evelyn cried, loudly. Sucrose, normally the liquid saviour of the gods – or more accurately the saviour of tiny babies undergoing painful procedures, helped, but it wasn’t as good as previous times.

Eventually it was done though and thus began the lumbar puncture ordeal.

The first needle got us nothing. The second needle got us blood. The third try got us mixed spinal fluid and blood, but not enough to be useful for testing.

The doctor was so apologetic, but she will have to have another lumbar puncture tomorrow.

It wasn’t easy to watch. She screamed so hard that she turned blue. Then once it was over, she was pale and miserable, until I managed to feed her. She sweated everywhere and gave herself a heat rash.

I was fine during it, but I’m not sure whether I want to cry or throw up more now.

And we have to do it all again tomorrow.

In the meantime, our Paeds (who are a great team, by the way) continue to consult with the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital, and I have to try and film more seizure activity.

It can only get better, right?

katepickle September 6, 2012 at 5:10 pm

Oh V…. that just breaks my heart.
Sending much love and strength to you all

Peskypixies September 6, 2012 at 5:13 pm

I’m not surprised you are shattered. I would be too

Sending love and hugs and calming thoughts

Mrs Woog September 6, 2012 at 5:25 pm

Sweet jesus V! I am so sorry you are having to go through this xx

Toni September 6, 2012 at 5:33 pm

Poor little baby. And poor mummy.
My son had to have a lumbar puncture as a toddler, it’s a horrible experience. The only consolation (and it’s a very poor one) is that she won’t remember it.
XX

Laney @ Crash Test Mummy September 6, 2012 at 5:34 pm

I am crushed for you both. What an ordeal 🙁 Stay strong x

Melissa Mitchell September 6, 2012 at 5:34 pm

I literally have tears. Joel and I were both reading this afternoon, catching up. This is breaking our hearts. I can’t imagine how you’re coping.

Hespera's Garden (Kristie) September 6, 2012 at 5:35 pm

thinking of you and sending much love xx

LT September 6, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Oh gosh. I so wish there was a happiness cloud that could come and sweep your entire family up and make all the pain, worry, stress and anxiety away during this 🙁 My heart was in my throat reading this. I am so sorry V. You are a great Mum, don’t forget that. Love love, LT xo

kelley @ magnetoboldtoo September 6, 2012 at 5:41 pm

luckily she will never remember it.

You, however… 🙁 xxxx

katesaysstuff September 6, 2012 at 5:41 pm

So much love V. When my big boy was 6wo he had a lumbar puncture and it was one of the most horrible things… Although he didn’t even regain consciousness when it was happening so maybe that was a little blessing in disguise.

I hope they find what they are looking for very quickly. You are both in my thoughts constantly.

xoxox

Kathy September 6, 2012 at 5:42 pm

Oh no, oh poor little lamb (and poor you too 🙁 Will be crossing everything for success on the first go tomorrow.

Louisa September 6, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Oh V, no words. So so sorry you are all going through this xx

Dorothy @ Singular Insanity September 6, 2012 at 6:06 pm

I was thinking of you all of today. Poor Evelyn. And poor you, having to witness this.

I hope they have more success tomorrow and some answers for you.

Big gentle hugs…

Zoey @ Good Googs September 6, 2012 at 6:21 pm

It’s brutal to watch. And sometimes all you can do is put one foot in front of the other. By the way, in my experience the Royal Melbourne Childrens team are so awesome, so I’m pretty sure she is in the best hands possible. xxx

Jayne September 6, 2012 at 6:27 pm

Hugs and xxxx

Fiona September 6, 2012 at 6:37 pm

oh hun xxxxxxxxxxxx

Cait September 6, 2012 at 6:46 pm

Hugs darling, big hugs. I’m so sorry you are going through this.

Cait

Maid In Australia September 6, 2012 at 6:52 pm

Oh how my heart breaks for you and baby Evelyn. I hope you get the answers you need soon xxx

Mrs D September 6, 2012 at 7:03 pm

Big squeezy hugs for you & tiny fairy kisses for Evelyn. I hope you get some answers soon. xxxxx

Fee @ Oh Gorgeous Baby September 6, 2012 at 7:10 pm

Seeing your baby put through things like this is the most horrible torture ever!
The things I seen in NICU that I will never forget, I could never leave though.
Sucrose is good but I’m guessing she is getting big and it’s effects are lessening. Ask the docs if they can use something else to help her with the pain. I hope tomorrows is successful. Xx

edenland September 6, 2012 at 7:34 pm

Handwringing for you. Which is useless really but all of my love and positive thoughts hopefully count for something. Xxxx

Other Fiona September 6, 2012 at 8:14 pm

I just feel so sorry you are going through all this. Good luck with the filming tonight. Fingers-crossed it all runs a little more smoothly tomorrow.

Lifeasmummymax September 6, 2012 at 8:18 pm

Oh I’m so sorry. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow x big hugs

Martin September 6, 2012 at 8:19 pm

That’s shitty. Poor mite.

Tracey September 6, 2012 at 8:20 pm

I have no words for this 🙁

Lisa - lybliss September 6, 2012 at 8:21 pm

awful, wishing you strength and answers as soon as possible. You are an amazing Mumma xxx

permanently amanda September 6, 2012 at 8:24 pm

So sorry you are all going through this. Hopefully tomorrow goes better and you have some answers soon xx

sleepydwarf September 6, 2012 at 8:25 pm

I can’t begin to imagine how horrible this has been for you all. Even just thinking about it is so heartbreaking. Hugs xx

carmen September 6, 2012 at 8:36 pm

Just love, hope, strength, clarity and everything else I can channel your way V. xxXOoo

Marylin September 6, 2012 at 8:48 pm

Oh darling. Sending you love and strength. xxxxx

Marita September 6, 2012 at 8:48 pm

Oh my heart. It breaks for you both.

Deb @ Bright and Precious September 6, 2012 at 8:52 pm

Oh Veronica, I am so sorry to hear this. My heart is breaking. Poor little baby. Poor you. Huge amounts of love to you. xxx

drhoctor2 September 6, 2012 at 9:04 pm

So sorry, Hon..nothing worse than watching our kids in pain…hoping things improve quickly and completely…

dharawal September 6, 2012 at 9:10 pm

Poor little sausage, so much to cope with, and poor mummy too. *hugs*

Denyse September 6, 2012 at 9:18 pm

Been anxious for you & your poor wee girl – now this news. Oh dear V – no words can help that I can write. Buoyed by Zoey’s comment tho. Many candles lit for u here tonight & for tomorrow … Love D xx

Trish September 6, 2012 at 9:36 pm

Shattered is surely like saying you are fine l hope you are holding up ok and E is comfortable in your embrace. Stay safe little one.

river September 6, 2012 at 9:48 pm

ouch! Didn’t they give her any type of anaesthetic?
I hope the next LP gives enough fluid for proper testing so Evelyn doesn’t need another one.
Crossing fingers for a speedy diagnosis.

Achelois September 6, 2012 at 11:13 pm

Thinking of you all. No internet access for a few days so if silent not because I am not willing messages of love your way.xxx

Purple Cath September 7, 2012 at 2:08 am

I am energetically trying to hold your hand with you. I feel your pain like it was yesterday. I know the feeling of not knowing whether to vomit or cry but ultimately having to pull ourselves together as we just have to be there for our baby. The RCH neuro team are wonderful. thorough and exceptional. They leave no stone unturned. Trusting the lumbar puncture works tomorrow. Unfortunately it’s so difficult with babies they end up having to do it more than once :(( Thinking of you all. Sending strength, peace and most of all healing vibes. Big love. Purple Cath. Holding space.

Heather September 7, 2012 at 3:23 am

Damn girl! I just caught up on your last 4 posts and I’m so bummed for you, Evelyn and the whole fam. I’m sending tons of love and good healing vibes your way.

Happy Elf Mom September 7, 2012 at 4:26 am

OH I am so, so sorry reading this! Poor baby girl! I hope they find a super-super great person to do this tomorrow… someone who can get it on the first try. So sad reading this for you and her.

Madonna September 7, 2012 at 7:13 am

When you have a precious new baby in your arms and know something isn’t right you cannot imagine how it got to this point. I know. I’ve been there. I’ve watched a tiny bundle endure so much more than is fair for any human to have to endure. I’m sending you love and hugs. I hope the answers are there and a path and a course of action is visible through the fog and pain of knowing something isn’t right. My heart breaks for you and your husband. Lean on each other and gain strength to go through the hard from that. Xoxo

janet September 7, 2012 at 9:42 pm

Thinking of you and your sweet little one, and sending love and positive thoughts your way.

Other Fiona September 7, 2012 at 10:14 pm

Can’t stop thinking about your little one (and your other little ones. and you guys.) I guess you have a wait still before you get any info, but wishing you a bit of peace and rest over the weekend.

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