This past Sunday night, Kaia was bit by a copperhead snake.  We think it wiggled it’s way under our screen door and over to the dining room table.  When Kaia ran over to the table to look at something on Toby’s computer it bit her ankle.  While Toby fought the snake and finally chopped it’s head off with an ax, I ran around gathering supplies and calling poison control.  I had her drink a big dose of echinacea and put echinacea and activated charcoal on her ankle hoping that it would draw out some of the venom.  Heidi (our constant savior) ran over to take care of Leif while Toby and I rushed Kaia to the ER.

When we arrived, we were immediately brought to a room (no waiting!) and seen to.  Everyone was fabulous!!!  Kaia was in a lot of pain and her leg was already starting to turn a bruised blue color and swelling up.  The doctor wanted to watch to see if the swelling was going to increase before giving the antivenom (because there are high risks of reaction to it and because it’s insanely expensive – to the tune of $1000-$5000 a vial!)  After about two hours at the hospital, with the swelling and bruising creeping up her leg, she was started on the antivenom. After they made sure she was reacting well to the antivenom she was moved to the pediatric ward.

We’ve been here for two days now.  She’s had ten vials of antivenom (SOOOO thankful for health insurance!!).  Her pain comes and goes, but is gone more often.  Her leg is swollen tight up to her knee and is a pretty blue-green color.  We are watching her blood work to be sure that the anti-venom out lasts the venom.

I’m sitting here in now, thinking about our amazing community of family and friends.  Over the last two days we have received an outpouring of love and friendship that has kept me wrapped in warmth while we’ve been going through this hell.  Kaia’s grandmothers have taken care of Leif so that Toby and I can be with Kaia.  Ad all the prayers, well wishes, calls, emails, gifts, and visits have kept us all strong.  I am a firm believer that our intentions and thoughts change the energy around us and all the healing love being sent to Kaia has boosted her up.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  You are all my little piece of Heaven.

Kaia never actually saw the snake (it was a 2 1/2 foot adult snake… about 1″ in diameter!), but Toby, in all his wisdom, took a picture before we left for the hospital.  Last night, Kaia asked to see the picture.  I was worried she would flip out of be scared of it.  But my little girl is such an amazing trooper!  When it comes to the big stuff, she can take it on with more strength than most grown men.  So, when I showed the picture to her my amazing little girl said “Wow!  What pretty colors!”  What a kid!

I’m gonna go take a nap!