Monday, October 22, 2007

It was nothing like last time

So much for being prepared, eh?

This morning I had the hardest time finding the motivation to get ready. I was experiencing a sudden onset of adult ADD, and I just could not focus on the tasks at hand. I knew why, I didn't want to go. I knew it wasn't going to be a laid back, talk to the doctor, relaxing-type appointment. It would be sad and painful, so my feet felt glued to the floor. Luckily my conscious self knew what my unconscious self was trying to pull and well, evidently, doesn't take that crap.

We arrived at about 9, stopped by the coffee shop to grab a donut (go health food!) and went to the imaging department to wait. We didn't get called back until after 10, so thankfully KayTar was in a splendid mood despite having to fast this morning. Sometimes the fact that she hates food does work to our advantage, but more often than not, that isn't the case. Like when the nurse took her weight and said, "You know she hasn't grown since we saw her in July." and I replied, "Yeah, well, we're working on it." So we spent a little more than an hour admiring the fish, "Tiny baby fish! Blue one! Yellow one! Brothers? Oh, bueful family. So cute!" and reading a parenting magazine together before finally being called back. KayTar's an old enough hand at this that she can sort of sense what is happening, even if she doesn't quite know the exact procedures are. If we go in the room filled with scrub-clad people, she senses danger. She hugs a little tighter to my body, she speaks a little softer, her standard reply becomes "No!". She doesn't cry until I let her go and put her on the table, though, and even then she is such a good girl. She told herself, "You okay, KayTar. You okay." and "Do (doing) a great job." Because those are the things I say to her. The doctor explained the risks, as always, and had me sign release forms. The nurse explained the medications has he administered them, "This one burns a little and causes some agitation." "This one causes hypersensitivity to sound and touch, so you can stand by her, but don't touch or speak to her once we give it." "Some kids sleep with their eyes open and it freaks their parents out." And then I was asked to kiss her and leave. So I did. I didn't want to, I didn't need to, but they do the procedures differently as an outpatient versus and inpatient, so I followed protocol.

I was left to wait for what should have been roughly 45 minutes, but I went through three episodes of Scrubs on my iPod before being called back to recovery. This wasn't the first time I've had to wait for her to come out of sedation, we've had MRIs and CTs before, but it was the first time I was waiting alone. It feels different. There was another mother waiting in the room, all she had was a fresh diaper and a newborn sized sweater. She kept holding it up to her face and breathing it in. Her eyes were heavy with worry and sadness. I remember feeling that way during my first wait. Today didn't feel that way to me, I just longed to be with her. I knew she'd come through just fine. She always does. Outpatient LPs are done under total sedation, rather than the conscious sedation used upstairs. She was dosed with a sleeping medication, a pain medication, and a sedative. They also use an x-ray machine to guide the needle in, rather than the old fashioned method they employed on the neurology floor. Truth be told, it made me just an eensy bit more nervous. I'd like to know the doctors are good enough at this that they don't need the aid of the x-ray machine, although I know it is just a precautionary measure to add an extra level of safety to the procedure.

Once I was called to recovery, the nurse said she had received so much medication, she needed to sleep for an extra hour, so I sat by her bedside watching additional episodes of Scrubs. There's something about watching a show about a hospital while you are in a hospital. It's immersing. Usually once we start to wake her, she pops right up like she was never down, but that wasn't the case today. She was so sleepy we could barely rouse her. She finally woke enough to take her bottle once we started taking off the monitors and removing the IV. And then we headed home. She was so out of it, poor baby girl. She is actually asleep again, as I type. She never does this after sedation, so I know they dosed her pretty heavily. But it is done and I hope she doesn't have to do this again for a very, very long time, if ever. And in a few days, we might have some answers. The thought fills my stomach with butterflies every time.

When I left the house this morning, it was in the upper 80's at the very least. KayTar was wearing a skirt and sleeveless shirt. When I got home, the weather was a crisp 49 degrees and there was a package in my mailbox. A friend had sent me a package with yummy maple creme and a sweatshirt to remind me where I really belong, complete with the weather fit for wearing it. Who knew Mad had the power to control the weather?

I just have one question, does it come with free healthcare?

30 comments:

ewe are here said...

We sooo need free healthcare in the states.

I'm glad the procedure went smoothly and you're both home... hopefully you will get your answers quickly!

Anonymous said...

I covet that sweat shirt! (I'm displaced and really belong in Canada, I'm convinced)

So glad you're home, so glad K-tar wasn't awake for that nasty procedure, and so glad that you'll likely have some answers soon.

Janet said...

Glad everything went well. Wishes for speedy answers.

PS You look great in that sweatshirt!

Kristin said...

Well, I'm glad you're home safe with your sleepy head. I can't imagine how long that wait must've felt when I hear how long it actually was in real time. Wow.

I hope somehow these next two days just fly by when you might have your answers. Your long-awaited answers!!!

Good thing for the somewhat distracting iPod. And perfect timing on that sweatshirt. Glad to see our cold weather from yesterday has reached those east of me. :)

Run ANC said...

Hoping you get the answers you need...And, we would very much like to have you up here in the Great White North.

Aliki2006 said...

I'm glad it's over and done with. I hope the answers come--please, let there be answers!

InTheFastLane said...

Another one down. We went through some tests for seizure with Dash and everytime I was amazed at how well he did. But, it broke my heart to have to do them. I hope there are answers soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey, you said 'eh' just like a true Canadian! I think that's all that's required for citizenship and hence the free healthcare!!

Glad to know that it's over and you both did ok! You're an awesome momma, Kyla!!

PJ said...

Bless you! You and Kaytar are real troopers! Praying you'll have some answers soon.

PJ

Becca said...

I'll be thinking about you guys as you wait for your results. And GLAD the LP is over! Sounds like she did great and I'm glad she's able to rest now. Good luck!

moplans said...

I knew that 'eh' was headed somewhere you hoser.

Sounds like a rough day but I hope it was worthwhile. I have a lot to learn from you about entertaining myself whilst waiting and waiting and waiting...

Mad said...

Yay, it fits. Give many extra kisses to that sweet babe from me. If I could I would adopt you all to speed up immigration. As it is, you make a damn fine American too.

Katie said...

*sigh* procedures suck.

Hope Kaytar gets the rest she needs and that darn test gives the results you need.

cinnamon gurl said...

The sweatshirt looks great! You totally belong up here.

I hope hope hope you get answers soon. KayTar's little "You ok, you ok," and "Do a great job," is so heartbreaking...

S said...

Oh I am so so glad it's over.

"Does it come with free healthcare?" Snort.

crazymumma said...

If we all get together Mad Hatter, could we adopt the family en masse?

Oh gawd. Her words of bravery made me just pang for her.

Junie's Blog said...

I'm so glad it is over!!! What a sad thing to here her "peptalk" heself!

Great shirt! You are an honorary Canuck now!! Woohoo!

Catherine said...

Wow, wow, wow. That must have been so hard...no wonder you dragged your feet! Thank goodness for Ipods, huh?

Kellan said...

Poor little KayTar. "You okay, KayTar. You okay." and "Do (doing) a great job." - this just broke my heart. What a sweet baby! I hope it all works out - really. I loved that you got that package when you got home - with that sweet syrup and sweat shirt - such a nice ending to a very tough day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

flutter said...

How is it that she can make me smile and crush my heart all at the same time and I have never even met her?

Oh that little one of yours...

Girlplustwo said...

i've been thinking of you all day...poor baby, poor you.

but that Mad. she's something, isn't she?

Chrissy said...

I'm glad she did well, and it sounds like you did pretty well, too. I hope you do get your answers with this one.

carrie said...

Good friends are gold!

Hang in there until you get your results! :)

Family Adventure said...

Hi there!
I just found your blog, and read this post and the one below. I am going to go back in your archive now and read more about your brave little girl, but I just wanted to write a note and wish you both all the best. You did so well. I would have been terrified, too. I have a little experience leaving a newborn for surgery, but I think it's almost worse when the child is older, and aware of what is happening.
Best of luck to both of you and I will definitely be checking in again soon!
- Heidi

Sarah said...

Glad to hear the precedure went ok. We have never had to do a spinal tap, but I never liked the sound, or look of it ( I am a huge ER fan ).

Prayers for you as you wait for results.

Beck said...

Oh, your poor little girl. When you wrote about her consoling herself, I choked up. Poor baby.
And I hope the other baby was okay, too. What a hard day.

Christine said...

oh that mother with diaper and sweater just made my heart hurt a little.

o'm glad this is all over for you guys, for now.

mad rocks, dude.

Amy said...

Your baby girl is so brave. I know how proud you are of her. I am so glad the procedure went smoothly and praying that in 2 days you get the results yall have been searching for.

~aj~ said...

So glad yesterday is over! Now we just wait for some answers...

Lovin that sweatshirt! What a great friend.

kittenpie said...

Oh that's where it came from!
I love seeing you in it.