Just hanging out

We have had a busy couple days here.  Nicole's line is now out while her body fights the infection.  Actually, she has three different infections, and is getting four different antibiotics.  Yesterday (10-10-14) they placed a PICC line in her arm so they don't have to keep poking her with peripheral IV's.  She has had some pretty high fevers that we have been chasing away with Tylenol.  She has been grumpy and not really wanting people to talk to her.

She is still trying to help with her care though.  Today they needed to unclog her PICC line.  When the nurse came in with the clave change kit, Nicole lifted up her nightgown to give her one of her lines (which has been removed).  Nicole was confused as to where her line was.  She kept rubbing her chest where her central line used to be. We showed her that is was now in her arm.  She seemed confused by it all, but she rolled with it.  Nicole is now resting peacefully.  Right now is the most peaceful rest she has had in days. 

Being here at Primaries is like being home. The staff here is like family to me.  Today one of the nurses who no longer works in ICS came up to visit his wife (who is working in ICS now).  Visiting with him and his wife, and seeing their adorable children lifted my spirits.  The nurses here in the ICS unit not only care for the child but the entire family.  We spend so much time together, how can they not be like family?

Today, Nicole's nurse and I talked a little about the angels we feel here in the unit strengthening the children who are fighting cancer.  My mind always turns to the children I know who have gone home to our Father in Heaven.  I know that they are here, encircling the children who are still fighting here in mortality.  My mind turned to one of my favorite scriptures in 3 Nephi 17:24 "And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them."

My mind also turned to a quote by Elder Ballard.  I feel that the nurses here also encircle the children with our Savior's love.  "Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are."
(https://www.lds.org/ensign/1994/04/great-shall-be-the-peace-of-thy-children?lang=eng).

The nurses have their own struggles and challenges in their personal lives but they leave them at the door at Primaries.  They come to work to strengthen each child, each family member.  They bring a smile to child who is having rough day, they cry with a child or a parent who needs someone to just listen to them.  The staff truly does "encircle the children".

Sneaked in a picture when Nicole wasn't looking.

 

Nicole is still camera shy.

 

Resting peacefully.