Bubble Wrap

This morning I did my first solo INR (International Normalized Ratio) test on Abbi. Using the Coaguchek meter, with the test strips and poker thing (there probably is a highly technical term, but really all it does is poke). I read up on Wikipedia trying to figure out how to explain the numbering system, but it got into all these crazy formulas and extrinsic and intrinsic business. Right. Anyway, all I know is that Rob and I got a 1.0, and Ruth got a 0.9. All within the normal range. When we got Abbi's "special number" this morning it was a 5.

Um...

Yeah, that's not good. I mean I guess its normal for someone starting on Warafin, but kind of scary. Basically its taking her blood 4 times longer to clot than your's and mine.

So I phoned in her number to the Thrombosis clinic, and I got a call back within minutes. First sign that was a bad number! She said its normal (but definitely too high) as we are trying to get a balance on her medication, even though we want her to be in the 2.0-3.0 range. So she said, "So I don't want you to tie her down and wrap her in bubble wrap, but I also don't want you taking her to the jungle gym."

Yeah, bubble wrap is sounding pretty good right now!