Well I was tempted to call this the worst day ever, but sadly after all of our really, really bad days we've had worse than this. But when your kid goes in for a routine MRI and ends up in the ICU, let's just say it's not a great day. The kind of day that, if this were not a family blog, would be described with many expletives as adjectives.
We got to the hospital at 7am with me very relieved this day was here and soon to be over. I had been dreading the MRI and was especially worried because Nolan and Rio are sick (more on that in another post) so was very concerned Asher would have to cancel if he came down with it. Nope, he seemed good to go.
We started all of the admitting stuff and all went well until he needed his IV put in. He had been given something to make him a little loopy, and thank goodness for that. Was that ever painful (physically for the medical staff and emotionally for me) for them to get a line in. Apparently preemies who have been poked a zillion times in the past are notorious for having 'bad' veins. Asher didn't disappoint. After several attempts and much bravery from Asher (zero bravery from the blubbering mother) the line was in. We were almost there.
I accompanied him to the MRI room where I was able to stay until they gave him his sedative (required for a little one to stay still). I left as soon as he was out, expecting to see him back in pediatric day care in less than an hour.
Just a few minutes later I saw one of his nurses walking towards me. She wasn't supposed to be back in daycare - something must be wrong.
Yes, indeed it was. Immediately after I left the room, Asher stopped breathing. After several minutes of resuscitation (bagging him) he was stabilized, and THANK GOD, did not need to be put on a ventilator. But he did need to be admitted to the peds ICU to recover.
From Jordan's old days in the PICU, I knew the doctors and nurses so that was comforting. Long story short, Asher spent the day becoming more and more "with it", slowly weaning himself from the oxygen that was required to keep his vitals where they needed to be.
So after what was supposed to be a routine appointment, it was a very NOT routine day. Not a pleasant experience for any parent - but for a former NICU parent, hearing the words 'ICU' and 'ventilation' in the same sentence, you're headed for a sure case of PTSD. Tears, panic, a roller coaster of emotions - yup, that was the day.
Hopefully Asher is not too much worse for the wear, being pretty out of it for most of the excitement. I was however really bothered seeing his response to the monitors - every time they rang he had a terrible scared reaction, making me sure that deep inside there are some horrible memories from his NICU days. If that is the case that is absolutely heart breaking to me.
So now a tired Asher and mama are home. I don't know when the next MRI attempt will be but too soon whenever it is. I don't know that I am ready to go through this again. Hopefully next time it will go smoother as he will be put under general anaesthetic with a breathing tube in his throat, apparently preventing all of this hullabaloo.
I don't know why I thought this would possibly be "routine". This is Asher after all - when is anything ever easy with him?! This was pretty much the worst field trip of all time - a trip to the PICU with no MRI at the end of it!! I figure he has logged time in the OR, ER, NICU, peds ward and surgical daycare, so this was his last logical stop. Makes sense he wanted to see it, but seriously Asher, mama's heart can't take this. The only thing that kept me sane through the day was the fact that Asher handled every bit of it like a super star. His only complaint was being in his crib, so he spent the first part of the day on my lap in a rocking chair. What a little angel.
Now unfortunately, we have three sick kids so instead of this being a relaxing night, it's probably going to be a horrible one.
If you called or emailed today about the MRI, knowingly or unknowingly about how it was all going down - thank you. Please do me a favour and consider this your response :) And please forgive me for the horribly written post, but I am just d-o-n-e!
We got to the hospital at 7am with me very relieved this day was here and soon to be over. I had been dreading the MRI and was especially worried because Nolan and Rio are sick (more on that in another post) so was very concerned Asher would have to cancel if he came down with it. Nope, he seemed good to go.
We started all of the admitting stuff and all went well until he needed his IV put in. He had been given something to make him a little loopy, and thank goodness for that. Was that ever painful (physically for the medical staff and emotionally for me) for them to get a line in. Apparently preemies who have been poked a zillion times in the past are notorious for having 'bad' veins. Asher didn't disappoint. After several attempts and much bravery from Asher (zero bravery from the blubbering mother) the line was in. We were almost there.
I accompanied him to the MRI room where I was able to stay until they gave him his sedative (required for a little one to stay still). I left as soon as he was out, expecting to see him back in pediatric day care in less than an hour.
Just a few minutes later I saw one of his nurses walking towards me. She wasn't supposed to be back in daycare - something must be wrong.
Yes, indeed it was. Immediately after I left the room, Asher stopped breathing. After several minutes of resuscitation (bagging him) he was stabilized, and THANK GOD, did not need to be put on a ventilator. But he did need to be admitted to the peds ICU to recover.
From Jordan's old days in the PICU, I knew the doctors and nurses so that was comforting. Long story short, Asher spent the day becoming more and more "with it", slowly weaning himself from the oxygen that was required to keep his vitals where they needed to be.
So after what was supposed to be a routine appointment, it was a very NOT routine day. Not a pleasant experience for any parent - but for a former NICU parent, hearing the words 'ICU' and 'ventilation' in the same sentence, you're headed for a sure case of PTSD. Tears, panic, a roller coaster of emotions - yup, that was the day.
Hopefully Asher is not too much worse for the wear, being pretty out of it for most of the excitement. I was however really bothered seeing his response to the monitors - every time they rang he had a terrible scared reaction, making me sure that deep inside there are some horrible memories from his NICU days. If that is the case that is absolutely heart breaking to me.
So now a tired Asher and mama are home. I don't know when the next MRI attempt will be but too soon whenever it is. I don't know that I am ready to go through this again. Hopefully next time it will go smoother as he will be put under general anaesthetic with a breathing tube in his throat, apparently preventing all of this hullabaloo.
I don't know why I thought this would possibly be "routine". This is Asher after all - when is anything ever easy with him?! This was pretty much the worst field trip of all time - a trip to the PICU with no MRI at the end of it!! I figure he has logged time in the OR, ER, NICU, peds ward and surgical daycare, so this was his last logical stop. Makes sense he wanted to see it, but seriously Asher, mama's heart can't take this. The only thing that kept me sane through the day was the fact that Asher handled every bit of it like a super star. His only complaint was being in his crib, so he spent the first part of the day on my lap in a rocking chair. What a little angel.
Fighting sleep
Almost going home
Now unfortunately, we have three sick kids so instead of this being a relaxing night, it's probably going to be a horrible one.
If you called or emailed today about the MRI, knowingly or unknowingly about how it was all going down - thank you. Please do me a favour and consider this your response :) And please forgive me for the horribly written post, but I am just d-o-n-e!
I am so, so sorry that happened to you and Asher. I am glad to hear Asher is doing well.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry Tracey. So NOT what you or any of us were expecting from this day. Big hugs to you all.
ReplyDeleteKirsten xox