Brave Little Girl

Before the IV came, there was a smile...

Mickey & Corner Blankie make the bleed better...

CPT vest and breathing treatments

Piper was in the hospital July 15th-17th with respiratory distress.  This was unexpected and discouraging because June and July are usually the only good months for lil' P's lungs.  Her pulmonary specialist is getting her in to see an immunologist to see what is causing her immune system to be compromised. 

During Piper's hospital stay, she felt comforted by Mickey, a puppy I bought in the gift store during one of her hospital visits.  (That was one of the worst hospital experiences we have had.  Piper was stuck 4 times in the ER for an IV.  The doctors refer to the plastic shield that protects the IV as a doghouse.  I told Piper I would buy her a puppy to go with her doghouse as a way to distract her during the many sticks.  Now we take Mickey to the hospital with us and he sits there while she faces her fears.  He helps her deal with the pain and fear of the IV or "bleed" as Piper calls it. And of course, her trusty old blanket, Corner Blankie, helps calm her during the many procedures.)

As Piper grows up she is able to express the anxiety she is feeling about the hospital.  This time, she vocalized quite often "I am tired of being a brave girl, I don't want to be brave anymore."

As exhausting as the visits are for her mommy and family, they are worse for Piper.  Thankfully, Piper has a therapist working with her about the scary procedures.  My heart goes out to her as I recall a two month stay in the hospital when I was 2 yrs old.  I remember the many shots in my legs, the play room, what I wore home, and how tired I was when I got home from the hospital.  I was only 2 and even now, I am scared of shots because of my experience in the hospital.  Piper is 4 and has been dealing with this since birth.  Please pray for Piper's healing.  I trust the Lord will guide her therapist to work on the areas Piper needs most.

Peace and Bunny Ears,
Aimee