Dayna - Making IVIG special

February 18, 2006

Hi, Dayna~

Even though we hopefully are close to being done with IVIG, since my

boys are 10 months post BMT, I just thought I'd give some input for

your article. We did IVIG for 10 years, mostly at a children's

hospital (CHKD), and our ways of coping varied over the years. At

first, when we had to make the transition from homehealth to the

hospital, we'd take a bag with us (that my MIL had bought and labeled

with their names, cute buttons and patches)full of stuff to do,

usually things picked up at Dollar Tree or purchased by my

MIL...books, crayons, markers, card games, coloring books, small toys,

play dough, bubbles, candy, etc....but it usually had at least one new

item each time. Then we started finding out that the hospital had lots

of things they provided through child life, so we stopped lugging our

own stuff, and just enjoyed their craft supplies, movies, toys, and

video games. We'd also try to do something fun afterward, like go out

to a favorite restaurant or store. This gave them something fun to

look forward to while going through the infusion. When they really

started fighting the IV placement, we had a nurse suggest Versed (sp?)

to take the edge off. After getting the okay from our doctor, it

started being a routine thing....get the oral dose of Versed to calm

them down, then place the IV....no more wrapping them in sheets and

holding them down, while they screamed. That was probably the best

suggestion anyone ever gave us! Now that we have a central line in

from transplant, we just treat ourselves to the new Starbucks down in

the hospital lobby on our way out to the car...that's similar to

Versed for me. : )

Now, I must go to bed...I can't believe it's already Sunday!

Goodnight,

T.

Mom to Kaitlyn, 13- healthy double BMT donor

, 10- XHIM, 10 mo. post BMT

, 5- XHIM, 10 mo. post BMT

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