Presley: Platelets and Port

We got released from the hospital Friday morning...knowing that soon Presley would need platelets. Her platelets were dropping about 20 ppm a day while at the hospital. We made it through the weekend! The home health nurse came to do a CBC (blood work) so we could see where her ANC and platelets were. Well...she couldn't get the port to flush. Oh great! It just seems these days everything is going wrong. We kinda knew that was going to happen! Doc's kept telling us to expect at least one hospital stay during this phase. Home health nurse de-accessed Presley so we could re-access hoping this would solve the faulty port needle unable to flush. A few things could be happening when a port does not want to flush or get blood return. It could be that the needle is hitting up against something so stopping the flow (positional) or that a blood clot has formed (this is why we are always flushing with heparin), or the port itself has moved or is not working.
So I called clinic they ended up just having me bring Presley in for two reasons. First to figure out the port issue and to get blood work done faster because of all of her bruising.

Kristin was able to flush the port by re-accessing it. (phew that was a relief)! We got the results back and her platelets were at 7, normally they transfuse at 23. Yikes! It was a good thing for no bloody noses. So we stayed at clinic waiting for platelets! Presley was given 1 unit of platelets. As with any blood product it comes with the risk of allergic reaction from the transfusion. So they check her vitals every 15 min and make sure her body is handing the platelets. It was not a very busy at clinic today. The nurses were playing and having fun with Presley. Have I told you how much we love the clinic nurses? They are so sweet to Presley. She loves to play and talk with the nurses. Presley had a ton of energy at clinic today. We always love to see her with energy!
I'm so thankful for that donor that donated blood..and filtered for platelets. I always look at the donor bag and wish I could thank them personally for being willing to donate life!
Our trials, heartache, and stress are softened from all the many blessings we have and see. I know that the Lord does not take without giving back. We are so thankful for those blessings.