Morphine...Who Knew???

Last night sleeping went better, but still not good enough. Kyara slept from 7:00-10:00 as usual, but then did not storm through the night. She rested comfortably and even took a couple of "naps". I am still not satisfied, and neither are the doctors...so they put their heads together and decided to ask about trying morphine tonight. In the past Kyara has had a VERY poor reaction to morphine. She gets extremely agitated, mad, etc. instead of it having a calming effect. But, I am a desperate mother. So after talking it over with the doctors, we decided "nothing ventured, nothing gained." Ok, morphine...here we come.

I am spending the night with Kyara again tonight since we are trying the morphine. I try not to spend two nights in a row at the hospital because it is exhausting. I know this is a long-term recovery and I have to keep up my strength, so I try to go back to the RMH every-other night for some good sleep. Anyhow, tonight I am here with Kyara and I am amazed! Within minutes of giving her the morphine, Kyara fell asleep. She slept soundly for 4-5 hours! Yipee!! At 2:30am, we gave her another dose, and she has fallen back asleep again! An answer to our prayers! Thank God for helping the doctors push me into trying the morphine! We are using an IV dose now, but if it continues to work, they will swap to an oral dose next week.

We are also scheduled for Kyara's dilatation and J-tube placement for Feb. 27. 10 days. I am relieved and terrified at the same time. I am trying to hand this over and know that God will watch over Kyara. I know that when we get closer to the date, I will be a basketcase.

The social worker here has also found a family who has gone through a similar experience for me to talk to. I am excited by this. I can't wait to meet the mother and really pick her brain. It will be nice to talk with someone who has walked in my shoes. The child's accident occured 5 years ago, and he is doing much better now. I want to know how she got her strength, what tricks make life easier, and get an idea of what may lay ahead for us. Every child is different, of course, and their recovery will be different, but to get an idea from someone who has been there, will be great.

A little news on Kyara's therapy... Dan put her in a stander today and she tolerated it for 20 minutes! I didn't have my camera on me, but I will be sure to bring it next time! Of course, Dan had to really help support Kyara while she was in the stander, but it is a tremendous first step. Dr Green and Dr. Devon (Kyara's PM&R doctors) watched her in speech today. They were very impressed and excited to see Kyara mouthing words like "hi" and "bye" when prompted. She also mouthed letters to the alphabet when Maria would stop singing the alphabet song. (Well, she opened and closed her mouth at appropriate times in response to Maria) I have seen Kyara doing this before, but to have the doctors see it and be excited and encouraged by it, was a great new feeling! I admit, I cried...but Dr. Green seemed to well up some, too!

I look forward to seeing what Kyara will do in therapy tomorrow after a good night's rest. I am shocked that morphine seems to be the answer to our prayers. All this time, I have been saying "NO" to morphine, but it has done the trick (at least for tonight :) ) Thank you all for your continued prayers...for sleep, for healing, for comfort and support. God is listening. In His time, our prayers are answered!!!


**Update**
Darn spoiled again. I guess I spoke about 1 hour too soon. Kyara has been up since4:00 am storming. The morphine put her to sleep for a while, but didn't last. Go figure.