tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post914751809620970860..comments2022-12-04T01:44:37.162-08:00Comments on Sweet Brin Brin: 11/11/08 - No News is Good NewsDavid Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05767287528332735335noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post-18828273892540095312008-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:002008-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:00I have been really happy with Serenity's port....I have been really happy with Serenity's port. She dislikes being accessed (poked) but they give us numbing cream to put on an hour ahead of time and it is really, really fast. The one thing I've very grateful for is the risk of infection is much less with a port because it's under the skin.<BR/><BR/>About the bandages...Serenity's absolute least favorite thing is getting her dressing changed. It's more traumatic for her than getting accessed & we have tried so many things. She still cries each time we do it but here are a few things that have helped.<BR/><BR/>A friend gave us some detachol; I have heard that you can order it through Home Health. Sometimes the nurses will let you use the detachol instead of those orange solvent wipes to soak the edges of the bandage. Once it's good and wet you can literally just peel it away like you wouldn't believe. It's amazing stuff. The downside is that if you don't clean her skin off really really good (with a wet wipe or something) afterward it can kind of burn her skin. Because of that some of the nurses freak out if I even mention detachol. So I don't use it every time, but boy it works wonders when we do. My understanding is that it used to be widely used in the hospital but too many kids were reacting to it from not having it cleaned off properly, so now they have to use those other wipes. The nurses aren't allowed to use detachol, but they will let you use it. The exception is RTU. I have seen it used there by the nurses.<BR/><BR/>Another thing is now I always ask for Cavillon barrier film before they put her bandage on. The hospital has it in those little packets like what the alcohol wipes are in. I also carry a handful in the diaper bag wherever I go. If they wipe the Cavillon on her skin after cleaning it, before they put the bandage on, it will stick less to the skin & not cause as much damage.<BR/><BR/>Also I generally ask for a Primapore bandage. With her port it doesn't fit as well because of the shape, but it seems to come off a little easier than the bandages they typically use. There is a note in Serenity's file that we like to use those when she is accessed, along with the cavillon.<BR/><BR/>You guys are doing great! Can you believe you're already to IM? I took great comfort from Isabel's mom telling me that for most people IM is fairly smooth sailing, and gives you a taste of what LTM will be like.<BR/><BR/>If you guys haven't signed up for Candlelighters & Hope Kids you should! They have a lot of fun activities for families. Also if you didn't get a letter about the Christmas for Cancer Families thing in Dec (I think it's called) email me and I will try and locate the info.<BR/><BR/>Good luck to you! Maybe when things settle down for all of us we can get our girlies together. I think they would have fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post-78306209461418885102008-11-12T06:31:00.000-08:002008-11-12T06:31:00.000-08:00Good to hear that you guys are getting out of the ...Good to hear that you guys are getting out of the house. I have a friend who's little boy has a port and I asked him if it hurt. He said they put numbing lotion (emla cream) on it so it doesn't hurt at all. Definitely something to think about.Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11890497495790806689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post-20117990626847712752008-11-11T21:30:00.000-08:002008-11-11T21:30:00.000-08:00I'm so glad to see that things are going so well f...I'm so glad to see that things are going so well for you guys! You sound so happy, and that makes us all happy! About her dressing, I knew someone who was alergic to the adhesive on all bandages and she would break out in a bad rash too. Maybe there's a way they could test that? I hope that's not the case though!! I hope your happy and fun days continue!!!<BR/>Love,<BR/>SoleSolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02250812064430287962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post-73281695783599863182008-11-11T20:51:00.000-08:002008-11-11T20:51:00.000-08:00Here's a little something to cheer you up...a litt...Here's a little something to cheer you up...a little Christmas cheer! (I'm talking about the picture right there! HeHeHe, I mean HoHoHo!John Hankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15728027068578738359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043057503839031095.post-73757903522031865272008-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:002008-11-11T20:43:00.000-08:00Well, on it goes. All these things are for your e...Well, on it goes. All these things are for your experience. Life, Laugh, Love. And hank in there. Love, DadJohn Hankshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15728027068578738359noreply@blogger.com