Millie's Milestones

Day 50 - An unwanted party hat

MILLIE has had to contend with a very frustrating night.

The nutrients that should be fed from the drip into her vein ended up in the wrong part of her body.

These nutrients are very strong and concentrated, so it's important they go to the right place.

Rather than going into a vein in Millie's foot, the nutrients leaked into the surrounding body tissue where they collected like a blister.

They burned Millie under the skin, creating a blackened blotch which will hopefully fade over time.

If her foot becomes infected, however, Millie might have to have some tissue removed.

Part of the problem is that the nutrients should really be fed through a long-line into a vein deep inside Millie's body.

But the long-line was taken out when she became poorly.

Yet Millie still needs nutrients so they are fed through a cannula into a vein just below the skin.

We don't know for how long the nutrients were seeping into the wrong place.

It is the third time Millie has been burned like this.

Early this morning (Saturday), the medical team took out the cannula from her foot and drained the nutrients from the burned area.

They then inserted a new cannula into Millie's scalp. We hope they keep a close eye on this one.

The nurses taped an upturned plastic beaker onto Millie's head to stop the cannula moving.

It looks like a bizarre party hat, which might have been appropriate because today is daddy's birthday.

But having his daughter home without any burns or scars would be a much better present.

Millie looks rather grumpy - which is understandable given the circumstances.

But she enjoyed five minutes on mummy's breast this morning.

Mummy and daddy will both visit Millie in hospital later to see how she is progressing.

posted by Johann @ 2:41 PM