These are the pictures that I took in Melanie's room during her bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.
The PA, Andrea, marked the spot with an X. She then scrubbed it with betadine and placed a sterile shield around it.
Next, she numbed her with lidocane using this HUGE needle. It took many pokes!
The next step was doing the aspiration. The instrument they used had a long cylinder which was introduced with a needle.
There were eight people all together in the room. This is half of them. The two student nurses, Mike and Stacy, the nurse, Shawna, the PA, Andrea (who is doing the procedure), and Tuu, the hematologist.
These are the smears from the aspiration (blood from the bone marrow). Tuu is so short, she barely reaches the table.
It took three tries to get any blood out. Each time she took out the needle and put it back into another place. If Melanie felt any pain, she did more numbing.
This is on the third try!
This is the most painful part. They take out a piece of bone. Andrea twisted, and twisted this instrument until she got what she wanted.
Andrea is placing the bone marrow on the slide for Tuu.
It's hard to believe she had to go through so much work to get this little specimen. 
She made it through the ordeal!! Afterwards, the first thing on the agenda was to finally have ice, because she couldn't eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to the procedure. Notice her worry rock, faith rock and Diamondbacks "finish strong" dog tag.
Bishop Lancaster and his wife Joan gave Mel a visit today. She loves visitors!
Everyday this pigeon sits outside her window. It turns it's head towards the room when you talk through the window. If the window could open, we would give it a morsel to eat!
Next, she numbed her with lidocane using this HUGE needle. It took many pokes!
The next step was doing the aspiration. The instrument they used had a long cylinder which was introduced with a needle.
There were eight people all together in the room. This is half of them. The two student nurses, Mike and Stacy, the nurse, Shawna, the PA, Andrea (who is doing the procedure), and Tuu, the hematologist.
These are the smears from the aspiration (blood from the bone marrow). Tuu is so short, she barely reaches the table.
It took three tries to get any blood out. Each time she took out the needle and put it back into another place. If Melanie felt any pain, she did more numbing.This is on the third try!
This is the most painful part. They take out a piece of bone. Andrea twisted, and twisted this instrument until she got what she wanted.
Andrea is placing the bone marrow on the slide for Tuu.
It's hard to believe she had to go through so much work to get this little specimen.
She made it through the ordeal!! Afterwards, the first thing on the agenda was to finally have ice, because she couldn't eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to the procedure. Notice her worry rock, faith rock and Diamondbacks "finish strong" dog tag.
Bishop Lancaster and his wife Joan gave Mel a visit today. She loves visitors!
Everyday this pigeon sits outside her window. It turns it's head towards the room when you talk through the window. If the window could open, we would give it a morsel to eat!Today has been one of those emotional days. The kind when you cry at the drop of a hat! Mel's been in the hospital a total of 74 days, since November 13th. She is pretty sick of being sick, puking, being in pain, and laying around! She is really missing Kaden today, because he hasn't been able to come down since Valentine's. Dad and Kaden have both been a little sick. Hopefully things will start looking up a bit. We watched a little Mission Impossible today, which added some bang to our afternoon. She hasn't been up for walking today though. Her counts are still down, so we will just continue to wait over the next few days.
Hang in there, Melanie! You are loved so dearly, and things will start turning around...have faith.
(written by Angie and Peggy)
6 comments:
Extra prayers coming your way! I can't imagine how you much be feeling, Mel! 74 days?!? Only you could be so positive! Your example is inspiring! I'm thinking of you!
Oh ouch! Mel, you're so brave! We're praying extra hard for you today!
Mel that procedure looks so painful! My heart and prayers are with you sis.
Kaden painted the paneled wall in the living room tonight, he was pretty stoked about it.
I hope to see you sometime soon! Lots of love. :)
Wow, you are SUCH a trooper! This brought tears to my eyes to actually see what you are going through. Hang in there, you are so tough and brave!!!
Bless you! Bless your tender heart and all of your other parts and pieces. And. . . bless all of those who care for you and about you so deeply. We continue with our prayers and the most positive thoughts we can imagine for you. See you again soon!
Wow, I can't believe you have to go through all of that for such a small little piece of bone marrow. OUCH!!! Good luck we will be keeping you in our prayers.
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