Nail Clippers, Infections, and Kiddos

No Nail Clippers Here

Irony.  It’s one of  my favorite aspects of life.  Yesterday one of the great ironies of our experience revealed itself.  Abigail was born with fingernails that needed to be cut from day one.  They’re long,  pointy, and sharp.  The more she has gained consciousness, the more the more she is scratching herself with them.  That makes for all kinds of ouchy marks on her face and tummy.

So the other day we asked the nurse for a pair of fingernail clippers. She responded that they weren’t allowed to cut their patients’ fingernails.  When I heard that, I thought what you are probably thinking right now:  “Huh??”  Yes, the hospital does not allow their nurses to cur their patients fingernails, because it is, well, too risky.  I’m chuckling as a I write this.  Absurd, isn’t it?  And certainly ironic.  Considering all of the needles, tubes, and drugs that these nurses poke into our children, one might think that the potential harm caused by a nick to the finger by a nail clip gone awry would not be on the top of the list of risks the hospital doesn’t consider taking.  They can perform miracles by moving arteries and patch holes in the heart, but they are not allowed to cut our daughter’s fingernails!  I really was not too critical about the policy; I just found it highly ironic.

Now, as any responsible parent would do, I made a trip to Walmart yesterday to pick up some infant-sized nail clippers so that we could cut Abigail’s fingernails ourselves.  In the evening, after Abigail had dozed off, Lisa grabbed the nail clippers to begin the trimming.  Just as Lisa grabbed Abigail’s hand to cut the first nail, one of the nurses nearby discovered what Lisa was about to do, and before Lisa could squeeze off the first clipping, a nurse  flew in to prevent it.  “Oh, you can’t do that without doctor’s orders,” the nurse said, gravely.  Lisa, who by nature is not a rule-breaker, quickly recoiled, but not before another nurse jumped in to confirm the policy.  There will be no nail cutting at Lucile Packard!  Based on the nurses’ reaction, you would have thought that Lisa had been caught red-handed with a scalpel in hand, as she attempted to re-open Abigail’s chest wound.

We were later informed that the hospital is afraid that nail clipping snafus could lead to open wounds that get infected.

Look closely and you'll see those pointy, dangerous nails

An Infection (not caused by nail clipping)

Speaking of infection, Abigail has one.  After seven steady days of progress, Abigail took a small step backward today.   Her white blood count came back a little low this morning, which suggested a possible infection somewhere in the body (an infection--I want it to be known--that was not caused by her parents cutting her index finger with a nail clipper!).  This means that her progressed has stalled a bit, she is back on antibiotic, and will remain in the cardiac ICU (CVICU) until they are confident there is no more infection.

Just yesterday, Abigail was on the fast track out of here.  She was eating increasing amounts of breast milk from a bottle, only had one “pre-cautionary IV“ (which probably gave her the infection), and her oxygen saturation levels  and heart beats were perfect (as if she never had a heart defect).  The staff was suggesting that we would leave the CVICU today, and head to the third floor--a kind of “hotel” with minimal nurse support, where parents get acclimated to taking care of their newborn under the light supervision of the medical staff in preparation for departure.  There was talk of us leaving at the first of next week.  And then the infection ambushed us.

Oh well, we really can’t be too disappointed.  I believe this is the first “setback” we’ve had so far, and if this is as bad as the setbacks get, then we’ve come out of this deal smelling like roses.  I was actually feeling guilty yesterday because our lot had been so easy.  That’ll be the last time I do that!

Dad doing his turn on the feeding.

The Kids Arrive

Thanks to Aunt Cynthia, who allowed us to use some sky miles, we flew Abigail’s siblings to California to spend Thursday through Sunday with Mom and Dad.  We were going on three weeks without the “big” kids, and we thought it we be good for all of our psyches to spend some time together.

Grandpa Stoddard put them on a plan in Salt Lake, and they flew unaccompanied to Oakland, where I picked them up this morning.  The reunion was sweet and there is love flying in all directions.  I’ve noticed a little less bickering than normal (of course, that could be due to the new surroundings) so good karma still exists in the Reeves family.

We decided not to burden our hostess, Leslie Neumarker, with four more house guests so we booked a few days at a Residence Inn  in the next town south of Palo Alto.  After a quick reunion with the kids, we took Mom to the hospital, and the kids and I went to lunch at Andronico's. We then walked around the spectacularly beautiful Stanford campus, including ascending the historic bell tower for a panoramic view of the bay area.  The sky was clear so we could see the skyscrapers in San Francisco as well as the bay.    Afterward we stopped at a picnic table in a grove of trees on campus, and played a game with a quarter, whose name has escaped me.  Afterward, we checked in at the hotel, went for a swim, and played tennis on the hotel’s sport court.

Phenomenal day.  We had a blast.  Simple pleasures.  No roller-coasters.  No movie.  No entertainment.  Just time with Dad and Kids, as we walked, posed for pictures next to a few Rodin statues on campus, played games, and enjoyed each other’s company. No fights.  No screaming.  A success.  This whole ordeal has reminded me to embrace these simple pleasures.

Good night.  More on Abigail’s condition tomorrow.   For now, a few pictures from the day:

The kids made their first solo flight today.  Amelia, move over!

Steps at Stanford

Peek-a-boo, I see you!

A lovely couple, aren't they?

Atop the Bell Tower at Stanford?

Does it get any better than this?

Tennis, Anyone?