DAY OF LIFE 73

Today is my big day and my mommy will be coming with me!!

I was supposed to leave at 7:00 am this morning, but there was an "emergency" ahead of me, so we didn't actually leave until 11:00 am.

It was a little crazy as everyone was running around trying to get me ready to go.  There is a lot of preparatory work to transport a baby.

I am still looking pretty pale, I have an oxygen cannula, a replogle tube and NJ feeding tube in.

My mommy is really nervous and will really miss the support of my daddy and Nana, all my Doctors and Nurses and "home" in general.

BUT...this is what we need to do to get "me" home with them, so here we go!!
I got to go "outside" for the first time today and I really liked the ride.  I liked the sunshine too!!
I went for a ride "in" an ambulance...then "in" an airplane...then "in" another ambulance and finally arrived at the bigger hospital.

My mommy couldn't go "in" with me for awhile and I was scared.

From the minute I arrived here, I had SO MANY PEOPLE poking me, blood draws, prodding me (and all my parts - including my "boy" parts) OVER AND OVER AND OVER.  They call it "assessing" me because they needed to "find out" what my baseline was for themselves.

My mommy knew that this was a way bigger hospital and there would be a lot of people, but I am not used to all the noise and all the "assessments" and I didn't like it AT ALL.

I cried a lot and the more I cried, the more hoarse I got AND my airway sounded more and more blocked.  My oxygen had to go "up" alot...and who knows "exactly" why I needed more..it could have been for a lot of reasons (change in elevation OR stress.)

My mommy came in with me just as soon as she could and she began to "tell my story."  She told them about "me" and about what I "like" and what I "don't" like. 

She told them about ALL the other tests I have had done and why they should only "suction" me out as a LAST resort.

She watched me like a hawk and felt really overwhelmed because of all the people that she met and kept meeting on my first day..these were all brand new people and it was really hectic.

The Neonatologist.  The Resident.  The Nurse Practitioner.  The Registered Nurse.  The Respiratory Therapist.  The Respiratory Therapist Student.  The Surgeon.  The Resident Surgeon(s.) The Lactation Specialist. The Social Worker.  The Parent Resource Worker.  Plus all the other people that my mommy had to sign paperwork with.

My mommy was amazed at all the people that she had the opportunity to talk with on our FIRST day!  She was also very encouraged because the Neonatologist was a very kind Doctor AND the Surgeon came and said that he would "prefer" to wait on the surgery until I was "older" and weighed more.  This is a surgery that they don't take lightly, and who knows...I may "grow out" of my reflux if I am given enough time.  He told my mommy all the pro's and con's but in the end said: "I've reviewed your son's file and if you came here for a surgery, I will perform it.  I want you to think it over and talk with your husband about it and let me know."  My mommy asked about any additional "testing" and he said that he doesn't feel that any are necessary (YEA!!)  Then my mommy asked about "when" it could be done and he said: "as soon as a couple of days as soon as you for sure decide this is the direction you want to go."
My mommy wanted to have time to talk with my daddy about all the "information" that the surgeon gave her AND have one more opportunity to talk with the Geneticist (tomorrow) to make sure he couldn't provide any "new" information on kids like me that may point to "feeding" issues, "reflux" or "aspiration pneumonia."  They just wanted to BE SURE that they had all the facts before they said "yes"..for sure.

It was a L-O-N-G day and I was worn out...so was my mommy...but it was a REALLY PRODUCTIVE DAY!!  Feeling like we made a great decision!!