What was suppose to be a routine blood transfusion for Gemma last Monday was a little unusual . I could tell her Hemoglobin was low from the way she looked and was acting. It ended up being the lowest it has been in 2 years . She also has lost 4 pounds in one month . We are not really sure how or why that happened . Then 1 hour into her transfusion she started having difficulty breathing and became very listless. Her transfusion was stopped and she was watched closely . After a few hours she was feeling much better and we went home . So this week we are headed back for another transfusion because her hemoglobin is still very low . Hopefully this week will be uneventful .
This past weekend Hopkins sent the girls to a Princess Party at Port Discovery . The girls loved meeting all the real princesses and having lunch with them . They then had a fabulous time playing in the Museum. Guess who LOVES to surf or I should say who wants to learn to surf. Miss Gemma Rose ( she is a little fish all summer playing in the pool . She loves the water .) Right now her favorite movie is Soul Surfer . The part where Bethany teaches a little girl to surf is her favorite scene because the little girl looks just like her . When that part comes on she jumps up and down yelling " that's me , that's me " . ( the child does actually look just like Gemma ) .
For Teresa's heart transplant we are one step closer . We found out that our insurance will cover the consult on Friday . We are still waiting to hear if it will cover the entire transplant , but this is at least a small step in the right direction . Friday we will meet with the Nurse Practitioners, Social Worker and Psychologist. Teresa will have 1/2 the labs drawn ( the other 1/2 will be drawn next week . It is too much blood to be taken at one time )and she will have an ultra sound of her vessels in her groin and neck . Next Friday we will meet with the other half of the Transplant Team (Cardiologists, Surgeons , Transplant coordinator , Dr. Hanna and more testing ). In the meantime we are reading up on ALL the material they have sent us on transplants .
We are one step closer !!!!!!
Thank you all for your continued prayers !!!!
You are more than welcome to the prayers - you guys just amaze us!! And what a lot of fun too - very cool!
ReplyDeletehugs - aus and co.
Glad to keep praying. Will really seek wisdom and healing for Gemma's latest setback. All our best.
ReplyDeleteThe Carr's
Wow! So much going on for you. I have heard that there is much more to blood typing than the obvious A, B, O and Rh stuff. Perhaps the last batch of blood was a type that had more of the matching factors too different. Perhaps they need to type with greater detail before giving your daughter her blood next time. I learned this from a randrom stranger the first night in my new house when I said hello to a woman walking by and she burst out crying. After inviting her in, she told me about her husband who had had a heart attack and the recovery from subsequent surgery was compliated by needing a more closely typed blood. He'd nearly died during two transfusions before they figured it out.
ReplyDeleteWow Ann you have a lot going on with your precious girls. I have just been catching up on your blog - so excited about Teresa and her moving towards heart transplant, it is so amazing to watch this miracle unfold. I know this must all be very stressful at times so praying for peace for you. Lifting Gemma up in prayer also.
ReplyDeleteI saw your story on the news tonight! I was lucky to have met Teresa and her sisters at the Princess Party. It was such a joy to see them all running around and enjoying themselves! I hope that everything is heading in the right direction for you and all of your children!
ReplyDeleteFeel free to check out my blog and see what I'm up to as Miss Allegany County. http://erindrumheller.blogspot.com
I hope to see you all again in the future!
Love and prayers,
Erin Drumheller