06/06/2007

Surgery for tomorrow is a go. They have done an abdominal ultrasound today and another renal ultrasound and it looks like everything is in order, which is good because Emery has been so uncomfortable these last few days. He's been going long periods of time without any sleep. I had asked about giving him Benadryl, because my family reacts oddly to narcotics, but the answer was no and I never did get an explanation as to why. At this point, it no longer matters as he is going to surgery tomorrow anyway. I was originally told that Emery would be intubated in the NICU and then sent to surgery, but now it looks like he might just be intubated and put on the vent in the OR. I had wanted one of the neos to go with Em to surgery, and I was told that one would, but now it looks like that might not be the case. I honestly feel like everything I ask for is just simply answered with 'no.' I know that is not the case, but that doesn't change how I feel and I just can't be ashamed of how I feel anymore.

Verbatum Sunday Rounds

ME: So why is it that we have to wait until Thursday for the surgery?

DR G: Well, we're just taking extra-special precautions with Emery. Once he is intubated we will get a chest x-ray to make sure the tubes are in place, and we don't usually get chest x-rays to confirm tube placement for kids going into surgery. We just want to take every precaution necessary with Emery.

ERIK: Can I ask you a question?

DR G: Of course.

ERIK: How long have you been doing this?

DR G: I've been doing this since 1994.

ERIK: So, you've seen a lot. You're a professional.

DR G: Yes, I'd say so.

ERIK: Then, in your Medical Professional Opinion, don't you think Emery is the cutest baby you've ever seen .........?

DR G: Yes. I'd definitely say that Emery is at least in the top 10 cutest babies we have ever seen here.

ERIK: Well, there you have it. We have it on Medical Professional Opinion that our baby is the cutest baby ever.


Yes, that conversation is real. That's how Erik and I act in the NICU, him more so. I'm always so nervous. Today, I called the NICU to check up Emery and the NP got on the phone, and she said "Sarah, I'm going to have to call pediatric anesthesiology..." My heart dropped. I didn't hear the rest of what she was saying. I got that awful feeling where your heart simultaneously drops to the bottom of your stomach and out the throat at the same time. I thought Emery was needing to be taken to surgery emergently. The NPs and docs never talk to me unless it's an emergency. It turns out, she just meant that as long as pediatric anesthesiology was going to be doing Emery's surgery, then there was no need to intubate him early. Jeesh. I thought I was getting nerves of steel, but I guess not. The roller coaster ride continues........ Wish us many prayers for tomorrow. Pray that the surgery goes well and that Emery fully recovers with no complications. Pray for the surgeon. I think we are going to try to get a picture of the stone. That's part of why I was hoping neonatology was going with Emery to surgery. I know they'd participate in our weird shenanigans.