Tuesday 26 February 2008

26Feb08 - Portimao Day 14

I think this is now the longest stay Lucy has had in hospital since she was born although there have been quite a few visits and I may be wrong. Apart from the course of antibiotics there is not much keeping Lucy at Portimao hospital. The oxygen saturation monitor is only connected every now and again just to check but each time the levels are up in the nineties.She is still been given nebuliser treatment but the periods have been reduced from 4 hours to 6 hours. The only real concern for me is the number of times the cannulas have to be changed. For those who don't know a cannula is a tiny little tube which is inserted into a vein to deliver intravenous medicines and fluids. In Portugal the nurses are left to insert the cannulas. I watched yesterday while they tried to put a new one in. It is very difficult now because all the obvious veins have already been used. They only managed to get a new one in on the sixth attempt. Lucy was very brave but you could tell how much discomfort she was in while they poked around trying to find a vein in both arms and feet.Hopefully Lucy will only have to put up with this for another couple of days. Lucy is mostly quite content sitting in her chair. She still struggles with a cough at times and is producing a lot of saliva. The only time she looks to be uncomfortable is when she is receiving the intravenous antibiotics. I was allowed to take her for a push around the ward yesterday and we spent quite a long time looking at the fish.I think it was nice for Lucy to have something different to look at for a short time. All the nurses have said how much better she is looking which is encouraging. The doctor reconfirmed her intention to discharge Lucy on Thursday, I just hope that the insurance company gets the message too. The airline needs a day or two's noticed to have a sky chair ready for Lucy. I just want to get Lucy home as soon as possible.

5 comments:

Margo said...

It is fantastic to see pictures of Lucy!! She is looking better than I imagined. I will keep everything crossed that you manage to bring her home very soon...I cant wait to see her and give her a cuddle!!
Love to you all over in sunny Portugal
Margo XXX

Anonymous said...

Lucy is looking so much better. Give her a cuddle from us. I'm sure she's much happier now sitting and getting around a bit. Hope you get your marching orders tomorrow and get Lucy home in time to do some Mother's Day shopping!

love
the VHs

Anonymous said...

I hope you come home soon. We have just had another stay in South London hospital and that feels far enough!!

Ann Chappé said...

Wishing you a speedy departure - good to see Lucy looking dressed and ready to go ! Hope all goes according to plan and you are both home for the weekend
Love
Ann & Tudor

Anonymous said...

Great to see Lucy looking so much better. Do hope the cannula stays in for the last few doses. Lucy & her Dad must be well ready to come home. Hope the flight arrangements get sorted out & you have a good journey back.
Give Lucy a cuddle from us.
Lots of love to you both & the other grandparents xx