At The Hospital Again

We are back in the hospital, and its not for chemo.



When I got off work yesterday, Charlotte was fine. Happy and smiley. Hoppy Baby. (Something Bekah used to say when she was little.)




Kev and I met with the Birth to Three program, and had our first consultation where they referred us to the program. Everything went well, she scored off the chart for some things, and then of course her gross motor skills were zero since she can’t use her legs.

When we got done with the meeting (around three), Jim mentioned Charlie felt warm. So I scooped her up and took her temp. One hundred one point four. Shit.

Called Lisa Keller, Lisa said to bring her in immediately, so that’s what we did. Of course we didn’t have a hospital bag packed like we were supposed to, wishful thinking on my part I suppose since I didn’t think we would have to deal with something like this so soon. So Carla had to bring me up work clothes.

Then while we were waiting, a lab technician came in and drew her blood for cultures to make sure it’s not a blood infection. While he was doing that, Kevin, Lauren (Lance’s mom, Lance is back in the hospital for a blood infection) Laruen’s boyfriend (I am kicking myself because I can’t remember his name right now) and I all noticed that the lab tech reused her PICC line caps. I just about popped a blood vessel. He even reused the cap we originally had on her line from home.

Normally, I suppose the average person wouldn’t catch a SNAFU like that, but reusing caps was one of the FIRST things we had drilled into our heads. NO NO NO! Infection risk is so high that it’s completely asinine. And you would think a LAB TECHNICIAN would know better than that!

He left, and Kevin said really loudly, “I DON’T LIKE HIM.”

Which I’m sure he heard, and that’s just fine. Because then our nurse walked in.

“I don’t want him in here, EVER again.” I said that. And told her what happened. And she got wide eyed and changed Charlie’s whole safe site just to be careful.

And I tattled on him again this morning to Lisa Keller. Who immediately jotted his name on her clipboard and said heads are gonna roll. (Direct quote)

His name rhymes with Schmenny Poster.

So make sure YOU don’t get him either.

In other news, Charlie’s hair is falling out at an alarming rate. In honor of this, Kevin had his head shaved by my mom a week ago. Here is a picture of him getting it cut off.




This is the pile afterward.



And this is what he looks like now.



VERY handsome, if I do say so myself! He plans on going shorter, especially since it sounds like we will be getting her head shaved today so that I can keep some of the hair. Right now it is like kissing a shedding dog. Every time I smooch her head, I get a mouthful of fine little baby hairs. It’s so sad…

I sent out a Thank You to everyone in Middleton at my job that has been so helpful, and this is the reply I got from our president:

-----Original Message-----
From: Kristi Rufener
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 10:09 AM
To: Curt Walth; Craig Larson
Cc: &All Madison
Subject: Thanks
I just wanted to convey my thanks to everyone that has gone out of their way to help my family and me these past few weeks. Life has been pretty hectic to say the least, but you always need to take the time to thank the people that make it possible.

Words cannot express the relief I got when Bill called to let me know work was taken care of until I could get back. It meant SO much to me that everyone here at the Middleton location picked up my slack, and let me focus on my family.

I wanted to let you know that Charlotte is doing better than the doctors expected her to, and we go in for her next round of chemotherapy on July 20th. This is going to be a long journey that no one should ever have to take, but I feel so much more secure knowing I have people like you I can rely on.

Thanks will never be enough to express how I feel about this job and all of the people in it, but it's all I have to offer right now.

I will be sure to keep everyone updated on Charlotte's progress, and look forward to being back at work.

Thanks again!

Kristi M. Rufener
Lead Teller
Starion Financial



From Curt Walth:

Kristi, I am happy that you have some hope in this situation. We also appreciate the attitude of getting the job done by the staff while you are where you need to be at this time---with you daughter and husband. You and your family continue to be in my prayers. We just never know what the Lord has for us daily. Just remember, He only gives to us what we can handle even though we many times do not understand why. Keep up your spirits. Curt


I will update when I get to the hospital tonight.


Kristi Rufener