Day 88

Well, today we at least figured out what was wrong with Claire.

She slept okay last night, but was uncomfortable whenever she wanted to change position. When our dialysis nurse saw how she was reacting to movement, they thought we should really get her seen again. So we contacted the orthopedic who has been following Claire with her broken leg and he was more than happy to check her out after dialysis. He definitely agreed that something was still bothering her and wondered if it was indeed the collar bone. Last night in the ER, the doctor did say that there was one "bump" in her left collar bone that could have been a break or it also could have just been the angle of the x-ray with the 1st rib showing through behind. Most of her pain also seemed to be coming from her right side of the body so none of us really thought that was it. But now we are figuring that she is crouching towards the right to try to take weight/pressure off her left collar bone.

Another set of x-rays were done today and the same 'bump' was found in that left side whereas the right side is straight as can be. Conclusion: broken left collar bone. It's not clearly broken in half, but the energy from the fall caused the bone to buckle/be forced together. As he feels her colar bone, it is close to the surface and very distinct, except when it gets to that one spot-- the same spot as where the bump occurs on the x-ray. At that spot, it is swollen and he can't feel the bone as well. After that spot, he can then feel the bone eaisly again. She also squirms when that spot is pressed. That's gotta be it.

We did do a chest x-ray today just to make sure there weren't any issues with the ribs and at least as far as they can tell from that, there aren't any broken ribs. Her ribs may be sore or cracked, but they look good otherwise.

After observing Claire the remainder of the afternoon, Jared and I both agree that it is indeed that left colar bone that is the issue. She won't push herself to stand with that arm and is sill very sensitive to any up/down/squeeze motion in picking her up. But as usual, in spite of the pain she must feel with a fractured collar bone, she is still as happy and lively as her little body will allow her to be. There isn't any immobilization they do for the collar bone...just lots of caution to make sure another fall doesn't happen! She's just so FRAGILE right now! I don't know if I'm going to be getting much done around the house before she get's her transplant...at least while she's awake. Nothing else better happen to this precious little one!

Happy event for the day: the new carpet for the basement was installed today. We are so excited to put the bottom half of the house back together again!

There are some fabulous things being auctioned off at Bloom! The auction closes tomorrow night, Saturday at 10 p.m. EST so check it out! All proceeds from the auction will go directly to Benson and Claire's COTA account to help pay for transplants.