Nashville Children's Hospital, May 25, 2012, 3:10 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear All~

Just thought I would do a quick update to let y'all know how our fifteen-year-old daughter, Rhiannon, is faring.  Here goes ...

Rhiannon will probably be released by this weekend sometime.  They got the bleeding in her lungs under control, which has been a huge answer to all our prayers.  They gave her two units of blood and she has been resting comfortably ever since.

Turns out she coughed so much she burst a few small capillaries in her lungs and they began to bleed, which, in kind, aggravated her coughing (as if she already doesn't cough enough as it is, thanks, in part to her cystic fibrosis).  Dr. Emmons also gave her some stronger cough medications to try to keep it to a dull roar (but then she has to have her physiotherapy two to three times a day, so at times it feels like it's a losing battle).  

It's a Catch-22 situation.

Rhiannon has been a wonderful patient.  She usually is.  Even when they take blood from her, she doesn't cry; she's pretty agreeable on that part.  She knows she cannot escape it, so whenever she sees the lab people coming she automatically sticks out her arm and let them get to work.  Sometimes they have to poke her repeatedly, but other than gritting her teeth and making a bad face, Rhiannon handles the blood draws like the trouper she is.

My brave, courageous  young girl!!  I am so proud of her for what she has had to endure in her short life!

Dr. Emmons said that these "bleeding episodes" will occur again.  While they can be frightening, most of the time they aren't too serious, but to bring her in if it happens again.  That way, they can keep an eye on her and nip it in the bud (or is that "BLOOD"?).  Lovely.  Just what I wanted to hear ... NOT!!

I'm just relieved that Rhiannon is going to be okay; she just happened to scare the living hell out of me when I saw all that blood all over her bedclothes!  It's no wonder my hair is silver-grey: it's excitement like this that I can truly do without!

Well, I am going to lie back down (with Rhiannon) and try to get some sleep.  I am a walking zombie and I am beyond the point of exhaustion!  I will write in here again soon; hopefully when I do, Rhiannon will be going home, where she belongs!  Until later, this is Louisiana Sandusky saying so long; may God bless you and please keep those prayers coming!  I (and Rhiannon) would greatly appreciate them!  Thanks in advance!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :)