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Monday, January 18, 2010

An Emotionally Taxing Day...

Child in the hospital for tests = anxiety

Child in hospital for tests when anesthesia doesn't work correctly = frightening...using the term loosely...

Morgan suffers from migraines (with a host of other symptoms)... So we are going through the process of ruling everything out to {hopefully} find out it's JUST migraines... But for a 6 year old that isn't fun either...

Blood work was fine... No leukemia (do you think I panicked when I found out that was a possibility?), no iron deficiency, no thyroid problem, no mono, no whatever else the lab work checked...

So next step...MRI.... It is difficult for even an adult to be still for an hour in an MRI machine, so the doctor ordered IV sedation. As of today I know there are 3 types of sedation (I'm sure there are a ton more). Oral, IV and general. IV keeps the patient breathing on her own. So I guess her entire system isn't "put to sleep".

So we start... Morgan gets the "magic spray" on her hand to numb the IV entry spot. Vein #1 - blown. Lovely... mom's heart breaks for the first time... Vein #2 on the opposite hand was more cooperative, but this time, Morgan new what to expect and was scared and crying.

Next, Lay Morgan on table and start the Diprivan which of course stings as it goes in, so she starts crying and squirming again. After a few minutes, she starts to "sleep", but her little body fights. Kicking her arms and legs constantly and the anesthesiologist can't get her oxygen levels to read on the monitor, so he has to put a "tunnel" in her nose to open the airways (using phrases like "we don't want to cause too much trauma")... music to a mother's ears...

So... she's asleep, not fighting, oxygen registering on the sensor... she's ready to go... I give her a kiss.... and break down into tears... It's OK though, the MRI is starting, and will be over in an hour...right? wrong...

The MRI room door is open with the Anesthesiologist standing outside - in our view... Not 7 minutes in and Morgan SITS up on the table (doc said she stood up, but I'd prefer to think she sat up)... way to go Diprivan!... so doctor comments that "she's a feisty one" but he goes back into the room... then he came out and said they were stopping the procedure... he had given Morgan the maximum dosage of Diprivan for her size and it wasn't working...

Shane sees the nurse and Radiology Tech quickly pull all of the cords, etc off of Morgan and wheel her out of the room back to us. The Anesthesiologist explains that he didn't feel comfortable administering anymore meds to Morgan, and Morgan was needing General Anesthesia. Fine, very happy that he is cautious and conscientious... so as Morgan wakes up she asks, "Is the picture over?" ... Real fun explaining that the picture machine "didn't work" and we get to do all of this again on Thursday - except Thursday there won't be any needles or magic spray, because they will give her "monkey perfume" (as described by nurse) before doing all the "other stuff", but we left it at "monkey perfume" for Morgan...

So down to pre-registering... again! With the hospital, the nurse and anesthesia... By this time it is 2:30 and we are all STARVING and grumpy and Shane and I are SPENT! I thought it was just me, but even Ironman was wiped out after the MRI experience.

I realize now just how emotionally taxing it is having a sick child - especially one that needs tests, hospital visits, etc. I have even more respect than before for parents with children who have diseases that require constant medical supervision. I pray that Morgan ONLY has migraines.

Throw in a pediatrician appointment tomorrow mandated by the anesthesiologist to make sure her stuffiness isn't an infection, and we are getting closer to an answer.

Thanks to everyone who asked about Morgan, sent prayers her way and texted and emailed during the day. Please keep those thoughts coming on Thursday... I'll keep you updated...
PS - Here's the trooper... Asking for Chuck E Cheese...

11 comments:

denise said...

Heather, Shane, M & A,
You have my prayers from this moment on.

Melanie Hyatt said...

My Poor Mo.....I am sending you hugs!!! Heather and Iron Man...my prayers are with all of you! I love ya'll to pieces!!!
Melanie

Donna said...

Heather, you all are in my prayers. So sorry that you all had to endure such torture. Now take that sweet baby to Chuck E Cheese!

Angel said...

Poor darlings! Little Miss Mo earned her Chuck E Cheese and Mommy earned a nice bottle of wine, in a bubblebath, with candles and bread pudding. All my hugs and prayers, Angel

Teri said...

Poor baby. I will keep you all in my prayers. She has definitely earned that Chuck E Cheese trip.

Megan said...

Hope today's appt went well. I had no idea that you were going through all this - I felt so rude sending you blathering emails! Hugs!

Terri said...

Had no idea. What amazes me is your ability to still "Laugh Out Loud". You are one strong woman! Miss Mo will be fine - how can she not, with you and Ironman by her side?
Prayers and thoughts your way -- MMUUAAAHHHH!

Anonymous said...

I hope all goes better today!! See you later.

Bobbie

Paula D said...

Whoa... what an experience! I am thinking of y'all today, and believe that all will go smoothly. I can't wait to hear an update that all is well with your little princess. By the way, how is your other little princess handling all this? Prayers, love & hugs going your way today!

cheepincharge said...

Lifting you and your family up with prayers!

Anonymous said...

You are in my prayers.