Monday, October 31, 2011
And the results are in...
Dr. G just called. The biopsies turned up nothing. Which is great news, except we are no closer to figuring out these little episodes than before. So now our game plan is to just wait until the next time we find blood and then insist the ER call Dr. G to scope then and there. You sure are a mystery chica!
Hello Kitty!
When we left for Trunk or Treat yesterday afternoon, you felt pretty miserable. Things didn't improve too much as the night went on. You absolutely refused to smile for anything. You can read about our attempts to get a good picture on Bub's blog HERE. So in lieu of a Trunk or Treat picture from last night, I am posting a picture of you after school today. Cutest kitten I know...
Friday, October 28, 2011
Colonoscopy/Endoscopy/Glaucoma Exam
In some ways the colonoscopy was probably easier for you than it was for an adult:
*You didn’t have to actually drink the 32 oz of bowel prep—I just pumped it in.
*You didn’t have to stay in the bathroom all day while it worked—I just constantly changed your diaper.
*You don’t mind missing a few meals—the consensus is you probably don’t feel hunger.
*You weren’t at all conscious for any of the procedure—general anesthesia.
But in other ways it might have been tougher:
*32 oz in an hour is what they expected. It took 8 hrs and you still threw quite a bit of it up.
*Despite the diaper changes every 15 minutes or so, your diaper rash was ugly.
*You cannot afford to miss any meals. Seriously.
We arrived at 6:30am and waited until about 8:00am for your turn to be taken back. I was getting nervous about your IV stick. Overnight I did my best to keep you hydrated during and after the bowel prep, but I had to stop fluids at 4:30am. I’ll never forget the time it took 28 tries to give you an IV because your veins weren’t plump from dehydration. What a nightmare.
In my experience, anesthesiologists are notoriously confident, often to the point of arrogance. I always give them a laundry list of complications from past surgeries so that they know exactly what lies ahead. Not much frustrates me more than when one shrugs me off, assuring me that it won’t be a problem for HIM. As if he or she is somehow immune to your irregular airway or tiny, shriveled, rolling veins. Without exception those doctors have come back to me with a story about what a hard time they had getting you prepped for surgery, and all the excuses why.
So when I spoke with the anesthesiologist, I was bracing myself for that prideful attitude that drives me crazy. I was pleasantly surprised when he listened to all I had to say, asked questions and then followed through with being as prepared as possible. He had a fiber optic scope in the room, asked the on call ENT to be ready to help, and just made a point to be well-informed. And wouldn’t you know? After the procedure that man humbly told me he got your IV on the first stick and had no problems with intubation. Not only that, but he said he can see why other doctors have had difficulty, and advised me to continue stressing these issues to future anesthesiologists because the next time might not go as smoothly. I am definitely requesting Dr. J for the any other procedure we have done. Amazing what difference attitude makes.
As for the findings, nothing significant. Your glaucoma is under control and pressures are fine with the meds. Dr. C did see that your optic nerve is more open than last time. At least, I think that’s what he said. I was sort of wrestling with your brother when the doctor came to speak with me. I need to call his office for a quick biology lesson. But he prescribed another daily eyedrop and wants to see you back in 4 months.
Dr. G didn’t find a whole lot either. He noticed that you had some linear creases in your stomach from frequent retching. Your stomach is compressed each time you vomit and it has resulted in these stomach wrinkles (totally my terminology—they are actually called gastro…something). He said these can be irritating but there isn’t anything to be done. Other than that, he saw nothing of consequence. Certainly nothing to explain the bloody stool and vomit from early September. He took biopsies from your esophagus all the way down to your bottom and those results are expected back early next week.
All in all, it was an exhausting day for everyone. You, Liam and I took a 3.5 hour nap when we got home at 2:00. Thank goodness it’s the weekend so my littlest trooper can rest up!
*You didn’t have to actually drink the 32 oz of bowel prep—I just pumped it in.
*You didn’t have to stay in the bathroom all day while it worked—I just constantly changed your diaper.
*You don’t mind missing a few meals—the consensus is you probably don’t feel hunger.
*You weren’t at all conscious for any of the procedure—general anesthesia.
But in other ways it might have been tougher:
*32 oz in an hour is what they expected. It took 8 hrs and you still threw quite a bit of it up.
*Despite the diaper changes every 15 minutes or so, your diaper rash was ugly.
*You cannot afford to miss any meals. Seriously.
We arrived at 6:30am and waited until about 8:00am for your turn to be taken back. I was getting nervous about your IV stick. Overnight I did my best to keep you hydrated during and after the bowel prep, but I had to stop fluids at 4:30am. I’ll never forget the time it took 28 tries to give you an IV because your veins weren’t plump from dehydration. What a nightmare.
In my experience, anesthesiologists are notoriously confident, often to the point of arrogance. I always give them a laundry list of complications from past surgeries so that they know exactly what lies ahead. Not much frustrates me more than when one shrugs me off, assuring me that it won’t be a problem for HIM. As if he or she is somehow immune to your irregular airway or tiny, shriveled, rolling veins. Without exception those doctors have come back to me with a story about what a hard time they had getting you prepped for surgery, and all the excuses why.
So when I spoke with the anesthesiologist, I was bracing myself for that prideful attitude that drives me crazy. I was pleasantly surprised when he listened to all I had to say, asked questions and then followed through with being as prepared as possible. He had a fiber optic scope in the room, asked the on call ENT to be ready to help, and just made a point to be well-informed. And wouldn’t you know? After the procedure that man humbly told me he got your IV on the first stick and had no problems with intubation. Not only that, but he said he can see why other doctors have had difficulty, and advised me to continue stressing these issues to future anesthesiologists because the next time might not go as smoothly. I am definitely requesting Dr. J for the any other procedure we have done. Amazing what difference attitude makes.
As for the findings, nothing significant. Your glaucoma is under control and pressures are fine with the meds. Dr. C did see that your optic nerve is more open than last time. At least, I think that’s what he said. I was sort of wrestling with your brother when the doctor came to speak with me. I need to call his office for a quick biology lesson. But he prescribed another daily eyedrop and wants to see you back in 4 months.
Dr. G didn’t find a whole lot either. He noticed that you had some linear creases in your stomach from frequent retching. Your stomach is compressed each time you vomit and it has resulted in these stomach wrinkles (totally my terminology—they are actually called gastro…something). He said these can be irritating but there isn’t anything to be done. Other than that, he saw nothing of consequence. Certainly nothing to explain the bloody stool and vomit from early September. He took biopsies from your esophagus all the way down to your bottom and those results are expected back early next week.
All in all, it was an exhausting day for everyone. You, Liam and I took a 3.5 hour nap when we got home at 2:00. Thank goodness it’s the weekend so my littlest trooper can rest up!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Prepping for Friday
Tonight we start your Pedialyte diet until your colonoscopy/endoscopy/glaucoma exam on Friday. (Whew! Talk about multi-tasking.) Tomorrow afternoon we will begin the bowel prep. Your diapers are somewhat normal these days, so I am a little concerned that this cleanse and exam will throw us into irregularity again. But you constantly surprise me at how well you bounce back from these sorts of things. I bet you do beautifully.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Bed Crashers
Liam and I went to Austin this weekend for Aunt Lesley’s bridal shower while you stayed home to help take care of Daddy. It sounds like your time was full of snuggling and relaxing. I know you missed us, but was it a nice break? Just to have some peace and quiet for a full day? Next time I vote we send the boys off and you and I enjoy a girl’s weekend. You in?
Bub and I got in about 9:00pm on Saturday night. We all assumed you were asleep since Daddy put you to bed 45 minutes earlier. Maybe you waited up for us, or maybe you woke up at the sound of our voices. Regardless, we heard you calling for us and that's all we needed to crash into your bed to give hugs and kisses. Your R&R was officially over…and I think you were ok with that!
Bub and I got in about 9:00pm on Saturday night. We all assumed you were asleep since Daddy put you to bed 45 minutes earlier. Maybe you waited up for us, or maybe you woke up at the sound of our voices. Regardless, we heard you calling for us and that's all we needed to crash into your bed to give hugs and kisses. Your R&R was officially over…and I think you were ok with that!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Not Sheepy
Lately you have been waking up at 5am every single morning. Why?? You don’t fuss, you just talk loudly in your room. Bedtime hasn’t changed, naptime hasn’t changed…what’s with the early wake-up call?
It really doesn’t bother me. As a mom I have an uncanny ability to completely tune you out while I sleep. Occasionally I wake up just enough to register that you are talking and roll over. But if you are in any sort of distress, I bolt out of bed and am in your room before my eyes fully open. So my frustration is more for you than anything else. I need to get you moving by 7:00 to have you ready on time. And pretty much without fail, you fall back asleep around 6:45. That makes you one tired little shnookie towards the end of your school day.
I would think that maybe you are just getting older and don’t need as much sleep. But I can’t keep you up much later at night. Daddy and I need to spend some time alone and we aim to be in bed by 9:30 ourselves. And I can’t take away your nap—not when you come home so exhausted each day.
So I guess we will just stick with our current schedule since it’s working well enough for the time being. Thanks for being so considerate and letting the rest of the house sleep. You are such a sweet girl.
It really doesn’t bother me. As a mom I have an uncanny ability to completely tune you out while I sleep. Occasionally I wake up just enough to register that you are talking and roll over. But if you are in any sort of distress, I bolt out of bed and am in your room before my eyes fully open. So my frustration is more for you than anything else. I need to get you moving by 7:00 to have you ready on time. And pretty much without fail, you fall back asleep around 6:45. That makes you one tired little shnookie towards the end of your school day.
I would think that maybe you are just getting older and don’t need as much sleep. But I can’t keep you up much later at night. Daddy and I need to spend some time alone and we aim to be in bed by 9:30 ourselves. And I can’t take away your nap—not when you come home so exhausted each day.
So I guess we will just stick with our current schedule since it’s working well enough for the time being. Thanks for being so considerate and letting the rest of the house sleep. You are such a sweet girl.
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