Rat, Lizards, IV Math, and Cory's Trip

Life always turns interesting when Cory leaves for a trip and yesterday followed the pattern.


Cory and Gener left at 5:30 a.m.

Mom started not feeling well late afternoon on Tuesday and by yesterday morning obviously needed an IV as any water she drank caused epigastric pain and her hydration status needed fluids.

So after Eli emptied the rat trap that snapped in the night and went to help Grandpa paint the ER gurney I wandered down to clinic to find a nurse and purchase the IV supplies. [Kodiak only lends moral support as he does not go after rats.] Thankfully the pharmacy had a few IV solutions in stock, and I put in an order for more!

Miss Ermadine selected the supplies needed and walked up the house to put in the IV. Anna spent the morning working on some school work while keeping an eye on Grandma, helping out and learning practical IV math. How many drops a minute. How many drops in a cc? How long will it take for Grandma to receive 1/2 a liter of Normal Saline?

Eli and Anna needed to remove two lizards from the bathroom that Kodiak brought inside. The second one remained healthy enough to express its displeasure at being caught.

In the afternoon I walked down to the pharmacy before French class to purchase more IV's incase we needed to run them at the current rate of 1 liter every 3 hours. Turning in our French homework of 6 questions each we produced some very perplexed faces and head shaking by our teacher. But we learn from our errors right? Better to try and fail than not try at all. Next week he let us know we will be working on conversational French.

Mom felt a bit better by supper and Eli made her some tomato soup. We started some additional medications and slowed down the IV for the night. This morning her improved hydration status should allow us to remove the IV. So other than being tired she's feeling better.

The nurse left the one small roll of tape at our house in the morning but in the afternoon they needed to ask us for the solo roll of tape for the hospital! They kept a bit and sent up the end of the roll back to us incase we needed it during the night. So very thoughtful!

No rat in the trap this morning. Sunshine powering up our batteries. Cory called last night and reported a good day of agricultural talks. Because he would be driving in the dark to return home this evening he plans to remain for an additional night and take the opportunity to visit some friends of ours this afternoon who live close to the conference site.