The good news is...
Owen is feeling much better. He hasn't puked since we changed his tube and he is tolerating his full feeds. He's still not 100% back to his happy self, but I wouldn't be happy if I had to go through what he did this morning.
The bad news is...
I took Owen in to get labs drawn for his PRA (panel reactive antibody) test. So far, these tests have been done inpatient at the hospital. Today I went to a Sonora Quest lab by our home. I had an appointment scheduled so we'd be in and out. HA! That didn't happen. They took us back after 30 min of waiting, the girl pricked him once, DUG around looking for a vein and then said "I give up!" You have got to be joking.
Another lady came in and tried. She DUG around the vein while Owen screamed and couldn't get any blood. Who are these people? We're at a lab right?
Owen is a hard stick, but I have never been to a lab that can't get any blood from a vein. They may have issues getting an IV to flush, but not a simple blood draw. I told them to try his feet, they are usually successful there. To which they replied "we only draw from the upper extremities."
They both stood there staring at me and said "mom, what do you want to do?"
I got up, walked to the front desk and politely asked for a refund. They had charged me cash for the blood draw (refused to bill insurance) because I was going to take the blood to the post office and fedex it to UCLA, myself. They don't do that either.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh... what a morning!
Owen was hysterical and he usually doesn't even cry when he gets an iv. I have a call into cardiology "WHAT DO I DO?" I'm not about to take him back to a lab to get poked. I don't know if I can just walk into the hospital, walk into ICU and ask one of Owen's nurses to draw blood... cause that's what I want to do! I don't want anyone else touching his poor veins.
Sorry UCLA... you'll get the bloodwork someday. I think.
Monday, March 9, 2009
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11 comments:
Go to ICU... I'm glad he is feeling better... I sure love that guy:)
C.
I have had that problem before too. Now I always call first and make sure there is some one there who can do hard kid sticks. I have had good luck at the Sonora behind Banner Gateway in that medical office building. They are NEVER busy and they have always gotten what I needed.
Sorry for the rough day!
Oh I am sooo sorry to hear about tha bad experience at the lab. Its one thing when an adult gets bad service etc but to put him through all that! Stuff like that always makes me want to ask them to give me their arm and let me see if I can find a vein on them! Where is the compassion!!!!!!!!
Please tell me you got your money back! Poor Owen!
How frustrating and sad. I hope they figure it out so you can go to the hospital to get the labs done. I have insisted on going to the PICU to get labs after the lab failed twice and they did great on the first try like it was no big deal. They are just so much more specialized and experienced with these little guys. I hope doctors tell you who can give an order for this. Be firm and they should accomodate.
Oh, I'm so glad he is still feeling better and I'm so mad that those people were so mean. I don't even know him and I love him enough not to to do that.
I'm usually pretty laid back with people, but I'm a Nazi when it comes to blood draws. It is the worst. We have NEVER had anyone outside of the hospital EVER get a vein. Crazy right? Therefore, I've had to become very firm & direct with the lab workers as a result. The digging around is the worst. It must hurt so bad. You really should just go to the PICU. They'd understand & do a good job.
Good luck & i am so happy to see that he's stopped puking!
This sounds like total medical incompetence.
A lab should always have an experienced person who can draw blood painlessly. This poor little guy needs time to heal his veins, they should not be poking the same ones over and over! I would call and complain about that stinky incident!
My son had a similar experience when he was small and it was a nightmare, which left him very scared of nurses carrying needles in hand. :( It would take two nurses and myself to hold his other hand to get it done, for a while.
He would have to lay down from queasiness after that experience....good news, he got over his fear and his veins all returned to normal with time.
Caryn is right, you might call first and let them know you need a very gentle, patient, experienced nurse on duty when you arrive and then a trip to Target for a special prize after ;) Good luck Mommie these times are just as hard on you, if not harder.
XX00
Glad that Owen is feeling better but sorry about the lab incident. I'm sure you could get someone at the hospital to help you, you're kinda regulars around there!
Jen
OH I am so SORRY, I swear the peoply they pay to get blood, shouldn't get one cent of their paycheck. Trust me. I get so MAD. They poke Kylie about 100 times before they give up. I said they get 2 pokes each, then they are out of luck. I am glad he is feeling better, I didn't even think about the NG tube holding on to germs, but who would. We will keep praying for him. Now that he is keeping formula down maybe things will get better. Lots of Love
Chrissie
Poor Owen. I'm sorry both you and him had to go through that today. Please give him hugs from the Watts Family in Texas!
Many Blessings,
Amanda
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