Monday, August 20, 2007

So this is happening...



Dean keeps getting farther and farther every time I hit refresh on the National Hurricane Center website. It appears Tuesday will go as planned. This weekend, I bought a few little things for KayTar...two Chinese food sized boxes of foam stickers, construction paper, bubbles. I looked all over for a good sticker book, like the one Beck has mentioned, but I came up empty handed. We already have two drawers full of art supplies, including playdoh. This evening I'm going to make one last trip for goodies and trashy celeb magazines. I like to read pure mindless crap while in high stress situations. I don't have the mind power for anything with substance. I've washed many loads of laundry, so the boys have plenty of clothes to wear while I'm gone. No, we do not live in a 1950's home where men cannot do laundry, it just so happens that with our chore division, I chose laundry, while Josh cooks, cleans the kitchen, and does the dishes. BubTar's school supplies have been purchased, labeled, and packed into his new school bag for next Monday, just in case we stay through Sunday. I'm going to go clean the bathrooms in a bit, fold towels, put away socks, just so things are all set while I'm gone. I'm calling the hospital in a bit to see what is and is not allowed in her room. I have to cancel therapies for the week, including her inaugural private speech therapy appointment. Bummer. I have to call and notify the specialists that the appointment has been moved up. I've got lists and lists of things to do, things to pack, things to ask, things to organize.

I still feel very nervous, because I have no idea what to expect. When the appointment was hypothetical and months away, it was easy to accept...but now, with it right here, tomorrow, it is a bit more worrisome. I feel like I have a good list of ways to entertain her, thanks in large part to you all; but I've never been through this before and therefore, I have no valid model to use to prepare myself. We've been hospitalized before, but she was sick and in a different part of the hospital, experiencing different things altogether. She's had EEGs [side note, I love the hopeful tone of this post...I totally misunderstood the difference between she wasn't having an active seizure during the EEG and not having them at all, poor little Kyla ;)] before, but never long term, so again, I can't really use that to prepare. The thought of trying to help her through an episode, in a hospital environment while hooked up to a machine doesn't seem too pleasant, but at the same time I know it is necessary. We don't take her to the ER when she has them, because we know it would just make them worse with the lights and noise of the hospital. It is workable, though, and the results it could yield would be priceless in understanding these events. She will have other tests, including the dreaded LP, which I'd rather not discuss. I'm hoping this doesn't reawaken her fear of doctors. It is so nice to have her cooperate through her exams these days. She even hugged the pediatrician last week. The previous appointment, she had screamed and said, "I cry!" repeatedly and the closest physical comfort the pediatrician could offer was a head pat. Our pediatrician cares a great deal for KayTar, and it was so nice to have KayTar reciprocate instead of working herself in to hysterics. It makes all of her various appointments run much smoother when she isn't screaming the entire time I try and speak with the doctors. I'd rather not revert to those days.

I am prepared for this, I think, but the anxiety comes from not know exactly what this stay holds and therefore I can't truly be prepared. I suppose I am a scout at heart, being prepared is a must, especially in situations where so much is uncontrollable. And so I make lists and organize, because it is the only way to still my anxious, fluttering heart.


Hospital stay, version 1.0.


PS: If you have anything else to add of the Great Toddler Entertainment Smörgåsbord 2007, please feel free to add it.

28 comments:

Kristin said...

Oooh...we couldn't do bubbles in the hospital. At the Children's Hospital, that is.

We got some magnetic "colorform" type books for an upcoming road trip...a Very Hungry Caterpillar one (from Target), a Mr. Potato Head one (that we got at Cracker Barrel's gift shop) and a Backyardigans reusable "stickers" one that we got at Borders.

I'm so hopeful for you guys. I really hope she can have an episode there and I'm glad the hurricane is gonna miss you guys.

I'm saying big prayers still. I really really hope you don't have to be there for 5 days.

Do they have internet access in the rooms? Easton LOVES to watch YouTubes and can kill a good hour asking to search for things like panda bears, trumpets, or baby bloopers. Good times.

I'm sure I'll "talk" to you again but good luck with it all.

metro mama said...

I hope it goes well. I'll be thinking about you.

S said...

Oh, I hope you get answers there. I really do.

What about books on tape or CD? Those make the time pass really quickly...

I'll be thinking about you and KayTar.

Becca said...

Good luck! You are amazing, I don't know how you do it.

Christine said...

this is going to be strange and scary, but some answers may follow so try and hang in there. and we will all be thining of you everyday until your both home.

did you bring some things for ourself besides magazines? gum, mints, toilet paper from home(that hospital stuff is awful!), snacks, phone card (if they don't allow cell phones), change for vending machines, a journal to write in, stationary to write some letters, your own pillow from home, an mp3 for when she sleeps and your bored, are just a few ideas.

good luck!

Julie Pippert said...

I have to say you guys are probably my chief "hurricane go away" juju. I want this appointment for you so much, as hard as it will be in many ways during.

I feel bad wishing the hurricane away, though, since I KNOW it means it becomes someone else's problem. To assuage this guilt I am preparing for relief efforts again.

Still...glad.

P&PTs big time.

Julie
Ravin' Picture Maven

motherbumper said...

oh my... I feel the stress in reading this Kyla. I want to be right there for you both, dancing a silly dance for entertainment, doling out crayons, foam shapes, whatever you need. I'll be thinking of you and sending all the positive vibes I can muster (which, for you, is a lot). XOXO (((hugs))) from Casa Bump.

Girlplustwo said...

honey, let us know how we can support you. and how we can help.

am thinking of you hard and strong.

flutter said...

Can I just fly out and rub your shoulders and cook you food and sing your whole family to sleep?

I am hopeful for you, too.

Beck said...

You tell that mean hurricane to back the hell away from you guys RIGHT NOW.
If you can't find the Dover books, you can grab millions of sheets of stickers and a sticker book to put them in at your handy dollar store. Not quite as evocative as putting furniture in Laura Ingalls' cabin, but it will do the trick.

Katie said...

You'd better have my cell and home number with you Grand Momma...those high stress situations are the worst! Loving you choice of reading. During one hospital stay I read romance novels like they were required reading =) I have much faith in the power of prayer and will be praying Kaytar doesn't need to stay until Sunday. Even more, I pray this environment will open new windows of understanding for you all ((Hugs)).

Christine said...

Wishing you a ton of luck and as smooth a hospital stay as you can get.

If someone has a portable DVD player? or if you can bring your laptop and play her favorite DVDs that could be helpful. I'm not sure if they'll let you in the rooms, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Wishing you the best!

kittenpie said...

I understand that - Misterpie and Pumpkinpie are taking a sudden trip, and I am totally packing everything in sight to keep me from my anxiety, even though it is not nearly as big a deal as your impending hospital stay. it helps, somehow, it's one thing we CAN control.

It is so nice when they can understand a bit about what's happening and why, too, isn't it? They seem to take it a bit better, and I think it helps us to think they know we're not just being mean, too. Pumpkinpie thanked the nurse for her flu shot last fall. The nurse totally melted. Hee hee.

cinnamon gurl said...

Good luck!! I'll be thinking of you...

thailandchani said...

Thinking good thoughts for you.. and hoping you get the answers you need.



Peace,

~Chani

Aliki2006 said...

Stopping by from Jen's to wish you the BEST of luck. My thoughts are with you.

P.S. I read your medical update on Kay-tar and wanted to add that my daughter has paroxysmal torticollis (or seizure migraines, as they have also been described).

I hope you get some answers soon--I know how frustrating and scary it can all be.

Anonymous said...

Aaaww poor kayla :(

carrie said...

Thinking all the positive thoughts I can that all will go well and you will get the answers you need.

Your daughter is so beautiful!

Ruth Dynamite said...

I'm sorry to hear about all this, and wish you and your sweet child nothing but the best.

Be strong.

Janet said...

Clicked over from Jen's to send best wishes your way.

I hope you get the answers you are looking for.

crazymumma said...

I came over from Jen's....

and I just caught up on what is going on with Kaytar.

I hope you get the answers and the strategies you need...

Bon said...

here from Jen's too...just to send good wishes and hope for answers, and not too much fear.

Amanda said...

Also here from Jen's place, hoping that the comments here will travel with you and lift you up if necessary. Good luck.

Anonymous said...

I just wanted you to know that I'll be thinking of you both.

Much love and best wishes.

xoxo

mitzh said...

Got here through Jen's blog. Wishing you, your daughter and your whole family well.

Seattle Mamacita said...

also hear from jen's keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Namito said...

Jen provided linky love so here I am.

You're little one has the most important thing with her already...you.

Sending strong vibes and sympathy your way.

Good luck.

Ally said...

I'm brand new to your blog, coming over from Jen at OnePlusTwo. Just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and your family tonight, hoping that you get some answers that you need.