I haven't mentioned the trip we made to Children's Hospital a while ago out of fear of sobbing like a child. Again. But with Elijah's surgery anniversary approaching and already being an emotional pregnant lady, I figure it is impossible to avoid sobbing, so..
Children's Hospital in Minneapolis recently completed construction on an incredible addition dedicated SOLELY to its pediatric cardiovascular patients. They hosted a grand opening reception, so the three of us drove into the city to check it out. Everything a heart patient could possibly need is now within one unit. Pre-op, catheterizations, surgery, recovery and short stay recovery are all in the same little spot. And patient rooms have been built with parents in mind, too, so no more begging for a sleep room at night. It is an amazing addition and we are really excited about it.
The first stop on the tour was the new Short Stay unit and I got particularly excited about this area. The "regular" Short Stay unit down on first floor is where Elijah has always gone after his heart caths and we haven't always had the best experiences there (not all bad, just not all good). It will be wonderful to have cardiac-only nurses and nice new private rooms, too, after his heart caths. I was practically skipping around the unit like a giddy little kid, and I wasn't AT ALL expecting the emotions that were about to sweep over me.
Our next stop was at a big room next door to short stay. At first all I was focusing on was Elijah because he recognized the things inside of that big room and he immediately started to panic. Dan picked him up and reassured him that nobody was going to hurt him, as I stepped into the big room to check it out by myself. I took one step in and...oh my, this is an OPERATING ROOM. Yes, I knew that before walking in, but the heaviness of it didn't hit me until I had stepped inside. This is the room where IT happens. And then I completely lost it. It wasn't just a few little tears sliding down my cheeks. It was a full-fledged sobbing that instantly shook me to the core. It was one of those sobs that you cannot control no matter how hard you try. A very nice nurse was in the room giving tours and she was immediately at my side, hugging and comforting me.
Standing in an operating room is extremely overwhelming, with all of the super high-tech equipment and monitors and lights and machines and instruments. And that table right in the middle. The table that my little boy has been on twice and will be on again soon. Past anxieties and current anxieties and everything in between shook my body and heart and soul without warning. Eventually I told myself that I had to stop the crying, after all, we were at a very public event, so I looked at the nurse square in the eyes and tried my hardest to carry on a conversation with her. At that moment, out of the corner of my eye I saw our beloved Dr. Gremmels walk into the room. I thought it was pretty cool that the one person in this world who knows EXACTLY what our son has been through (heart-wise), every little bit of it, showed up at that very significant moment. I kept it mostly together, but almost lost it again when I saw him. He came over and gave me a hug and reassured me that what I was feeling was normal. (Really? Because I don't see anyone else here freaking out!)
I pulled myself together and we toured the rest of the unit and we even ran into Elijah's heart surgeon, Dr. Moga. He told Elijah he was "lookin' good" and gave us his trademark smile and wink. Every time I see Dr. Moga I get emotional, but I was able to hold back the tears this time (probably because there were none left).
Not only is this new unit going to be a lot more convenient for patients and parents (and doctors), but it is a huge step toward keeping little heart patients healthier, as well. Patients will not need to enter the hospital's regular PICU after surgery, which will keep them protected from sicknesses that might be floating around down there. This will also free up bed space in the PICU for other children. Check out the virtual tour of the new cardiac patient rooms, which include private bathrooms, refrigerators, sofa sleepers, tvs and xbox 360s.
This new unit is a really big deal and we are really proud of it. We are grateful we were able to see the new area and we feel so blessed to live in a city with such amazing facilities, nurses, surgeons and doctors.
Showing posts with label surgeons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surgeons. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Yay!
Dr. N is one strange dude. He came in to tell us that "Elijah did really well. Really really well!" He then turned and left the room. While this is wonderful news, a bit more information might have been good?
We'll take it, though. He did really really well. And we will get to see him shortly!
We'll take it, though. He did really really well. And we will get to see him shortly!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Unrelated tidbits
Not as much goo is spewing from Elijah's eyes and nose (yum! you're welcome!), but the coughing has gotten worse and he has practically no appetite. Overall he looks and acts like he is feeling a little bit better. Yesterday morning I came downstairs to go to work and Elijah was sitting on the living room floor looking up at me. One eye was completely matted shut (Dan was in the kitchen getting a warm wash cloth for it), but he didn't seem bothered in the least. One-eyed, he smiled his big beautiful grin and welcomed me with a HIIIIiii! That's my boy, smiling through it all.
Last night Dan met some friends out (it's been a long week of caring for a sick boy for him, so he mucho deserved it) while Elijah and I chilled at home alone. At 6:30, which is about 30-45 minutes before his usual bedtime, he started to look extremely tired. I asked him if he wanted to go to bed and he pointed upstairs and said GOGO! So GO upstairs we did, where he promptly fell asleep.
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We had heard some mixed reviews about good old Dr. Nagib (E's neurosurgeon), so we weren't sure what to expect when we met him last week. We loved him! He is super intense, very quirky and it is evident that he is exceedingly good at what he does. He has been performing neurosurgery since I was born (21 years ago! Okay, maybe a little longer than that.). He has a very gentle nature, he was great with Elijah and he made it clear that he would have sat there for as long as it took to answer our questions. Once again we have evidence that Elijah is in very good hands. The best hands.
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I forgot to mention that Monday of this week was Elijah's 2-year anniversary for Heart Surgery #1! Happy (belated) day, little one.
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I am not exaggerating when I say what I'm about to say. MAYBE TWO TIMES in Elijah's life has he slept past 7:00 a.m. 99.98% of the time, he wakes up anywhere between the hours of 4:45 and 6:00. So. Last weekend at Grandma's house? Here were his three wake-up times: 7:20, 7:30 and 8:15. WHAT?! She put him to bed at the same time we do, his room at home is just as dark and quiet as hers. I can't figure it out! It makes me feel bad, like I don't have the perfect combination of factors in our own home that can get Elijah the best sleep possible.
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I promise I'll post vacation pics this weekend! Sorry I'm a slacker. I've been catching up on sleep. Have I ever mentioned how much I love our bed?
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June 18th, Elijah's upcoming surgery date, has triple significance. It falls just before Father's Day weekend, which is also the summer solstice. I just realized today that June 18, 2003, was my start date for my current job. Elijah's big dates always have other significance, but triple?? Personally I think it's assurance that this surgery is going to do amazing things for Elijah. I love that.
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It has been a very long (yet short) week. I'm happy the weekend is here. Dan might work at the dropzone if the weather cooperates and Elijah and I have, um, let's see..oh yeah, NOTHING on our menu.
Last night Dan met some friends out (it's been a long week of caring for a sick boy for him, so he mucho deserved it) while Elijah and I chilled at home alone. At 6:30, which is about 30-45 minutes before his usual bedtime, he started to look extremely tired. I asked him if he wanted to go to bed and he pointed upstairs and said GOGO! So GO upstairs we did, where he promptly fell asleep.
--------------------
We had heard some mixed reviews about good old Dr. Nagib (E's neurosurgeon), so we weren't sure what to expect when we met him last week. We loved him! He is super intense, very quirky and it is evident that he is exceedingly good at what he does. He has been performing neurosurgery since I was born (21 years ago! Okay, maybe a little longer than that.). He has a very gentle nature, he was great with Elijah and he made it clear that he would have sat there for as long as it took to answer our questions. Once again we have evidence that Elijah is in very good hands. The best hands.
--------------------
I forgot to mention that Monday of this week was Elijah's 2-year anniversary for Heart Surgery #1! Happy (belated) day, little one.
--------------------
I am not exaggerating when I say what I'm about to say. MAYBE TWO TIMES in Elijah's life has he slept past 7:00 a.m. 99.98% of the time, he wakes up anywhere between the hours of 4:45 and 6:00. So. Last weekend at Grandma's house? Here were his three wake-up times: 7:20, 7:30 and 8:15. WHAT?! She put him to bed at the same time we do, his room at home is just as dark and quiet as hers. I can't figure it out! It makes me feel bad, like I don't have the perfect combination of factors in our own home that can get Elijah the best sleep possible.
--------------------
I promise I'll post vacation pics this weekend! Sorry I'm a slacker. I've been catching up on sleep. Have I ever mentioned how much I love our bed?
--------------------
June 18th, Elijah's upcoming surgery date, has triple significance. It falls just before Father's Day weekend, which is also the summer solstice. I just realized today that June 18, 2003, was my start date for my current job. Elijah's big dates always have other significance, but triple?? Personally I think it's assurance that this surgery is going to do amazing things for Elijah. I love that.
--------------------
It has been a very long (yet short) week. I'm happy the weekend is here. Dan might work at the dropzone if the weather cooperates and Elijah and I have, um, let's see..oh yeah, NOTHING on our menu.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Lots of random things as I take a quick lunch break
Answering a few of your questions and offering some additional tidbits..
Dan and I did meet skydiving. We had known each other from the dropzone for a while, but because of timing and other people, we didn't start dating for a year or two after meeting.
Dan has been to about four different doctors for his rash, he has taken steroids, antibiotics, and he has applied many creams. Every doctor seems to tell him something different. One thought it was contact dermatitis and another thought it was a reaction to detergent or shampoo. Who knows?!? At one point earlier in the week it was all over his arm, neck, face and ears. The rash isn't welcome in our house anymore!
We are going on a babyless vacation in July! We have to get our yearly Vegas fix. And we have to meet the Roller family! We will be there July 10-13, so please join us as we unleash some pent-up stress on poor Las Vegas. We already have a few friends who are coming along. Plane tickets are getting more and more expensive, so book quickly! Good thing we've been saving up for this.
I think we've come to an agreement about Elijah's hair. I told Dan we could get it SLIGHTLY TRIMMED if he was willing to find a nice place that would make Elijah feel comfortable. It does get in his eyes a lot, so I feel bad about that. We're not totally getting rid of the curls, though! Who cares if people think he looks like a girl. That just means he has a pretty face.
I was able to find a picture of a very young Dr. Moga on the internet and LOOK! He has long hair! (Does it make me kind of stalker-ish that I googled our surgeon?)
We had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful baby boy and his mama, Lea. He is such a precious little guy. And so strong! They are hoping to get Johnathan home from the hospital within the next week or so. Please keep them in your prayers. They are dealing with a few little setbacks after he had open heart surgery a few weeks ago. While we were there visiting, we saw our beloved DR. G roaming the 3rd floor halls! He did a double take and said, "Just visiting I hope?" We chatted for a bit and he asked how Elijah was doing and said he looked great.
Dan and I did meet skydiving. We had known each other from the dropzone for a while, but because of timing and other people, we didn't start dating for a year or two after meeting.
Dan has been to about four different doctors for his rash, he has taken steroids, antibiotics, and he has applied many creams. Every doctor seems to tell him something different. One thought it was contact dermatitis and another thought it was a reaction to detergent or shampoo. Who knows?!? At one point earlier in the week it was all over his arm, neck, face and ears. The rash isn't welcome in our house anymore!
We are going on a babyless vacation in July! We have to get our yearly Vegas fix. And we have to meet the Roller family! We will be there July 10-13, so please join us as we unleash some pent-up stress on poor Las Vegas. We already have a few friends who are coming along. Plane tickets are getting more and more expensive, so book quickly! Good thing we've been saving up for this.
I think we've come to an agreement about Elijah's hair. I told Dan we could get it SLIGHTLY TRIMMED if he was willing to find a nice place that would make Elijah feel comfortable. It does get in his eyes a lot, so I feel bad about that. We're not totally getting rid of the curls, though! Who cares if people think he looks like a girl. That just means he has a pretty face.
I was able to find a picture of a very young Dr. Moga on the internet and LOOK! He has long hair! (Does it make me kind of stalker-ish that I googled our surgeon?)
We had the pleasure of meeting this beautiful baby boy and his mama, Lea. He is such a precious little guy. And so strong! They are hoping to get Johnathan home from the hospital within the next week or so. Please keep them in your prayers. They are dealing with a few little setbacks after he had open heart surgery a few weeks ago. While we were there visiting, we saw our beloved DR. G roaming the 3rd floor halls! He did a double take and said, "Just visiting I hope?" We chatted for a bit and he asked how Elijah was doing and said he looked great.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Showing off the chubby neck
Tonight I asked Elijah HOW BIG IS ELIJAH like I do every day and a millisecond later he was throwing up his arms, giggling uncontrollably. I think he wants to show off his big chubby neck (look at that thing)! He is most definitely proud of how big he is.
And, would YOU cut off this beautiful hair?
I want to share a part of the book that we have read and love so much that our wonderful Dr. Moga stars in ("Walk on Water" by Michael Ruhlman). Here is my favorite quote from Dr. M:
The author asks him to define "grace."
Dr. Moga replies with: "A moment of clarity. You're not yourself, you're an instrument of something else. When I was in thoracic surgery, doing a pneumonectomy, taking out part of a lung, I had to sew the pulmonary artery back together with one hand because I was holding the trunk of it with my other hand. I didn't even think. Forehand, boom, boom, boom, boom, four backhand, and it was done. The guy I was training under said, 'Frank, that was a moment of grace. Never forget it.' I hadn't realized, I was surprised, but he was right, and to this day it delights me to think about it...that's what I strive for. Larry Bird was once asked about Michael Jordan after a game between Boston and Chicago when Jordan was on--really on, even for Jordan--and Bird replied, 'That wasn't Michael Jordan, that was God.' That's when you know you're there--when it's not even you."
I love that! How did we get the best surgeon EVER?
Tomorrow night we are bringing Elijah to my sister's house and then we're heading to Florida early Friday morning. I'll tell Lissa she has to upload lots of Elijah pics while we're gone! People are counting on you, Lissa! :)
Really? I get to be on the beach in two days? I don't believe it. All I know is snow, cold, sickness and hospitals. THE BEACH???
And, would YOU cut off this beautiful hair?
I want to share a part of the book that we have read and love so much that our wonderful Dr. Moga stars in ("Walk on Water" by Michael Ruhlman). Here is my favorite quote from Dr. M:
The author asks him to define "grace."
Dr. Moga replies with: "A moment of clarity. You're not yourself, you're an instrument of something else. When I was in thoracic surgery, doing a pneumonectomy, taking out part of a lung, I had to sew the pulmonary artery back together with one hand because I was holding the trunk of it with my other hand. I didn't even think. Forehand, boom, boom, boom, boom, four backhand, and it was done. The guy I was training under said, 'Frank, that was a moment of grace. Never forget it.' I hadn't realized, I was surprised, but he was right, and to this day it delights me to think about it...that's what I strive for. Larry Bird was once asked about Michael Jordan after a game between Boston and Chicago when Jordan was on--really on, even for Jordan--and Bird replied, 'That wasn't Michael Jordan, that was God.' That's when you know you're there--when it's not even you."
I love that! How did we get the best surgeon EVER?
Tomorrow night we are bringing Elijah to my sister's house and then we're heading to Florida early Friday morning. I'll tell Lissa she has to upload lots of Elijah pics while we're gone! People are counting on you, Lissa! :)
Really? I get to be on the beach in two days? I don't believe it. All I know is snow, cold, sickness and hospitals. THE BEACH???
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Amazing boy
Elijah and the famous and wonderful Dr. Moga! I guess it's a good sign (according to his superstition) that he was willing to get his picture taken finally. Right before this was taken, he pulled out E's pacer wires and Elijah was a mad baby. We tried to let him calm down a bit before taking the pic, but nothing was working so we decided to take it anyway. It's amazing how emotional Dan and I get about Dr. M. He fixed our baby! (Dan is making me write the following: "Emotional" does not mean that he cried. He has to feel manly.)
No more wires!
Sitting up like a big boy
Elijah is doing great. He is officially wireless! YAY! He's been eating like a maniac all day and he even started sitting up for us a little bit. He got very angry with the nurses who removed his neck line and it took him a while to calm down after that. Right now we're watching (take a guess!) yes, Veggie Tales, and then we're going to try to get him out of the room and cruise around the floor a bit.
Strangely, his oxygen sats keep getting better?! Hmmmmmm, weird, but we'll take it! He's now running in the high 90s! He has pink cheeks and pink lips and he looks just wonderful. It feels so good to have a "fixed" baby. The weeks leading up to surgery had me in a heap of emotional turmoil and just about broke me. I couldn't even give my baby a bath in fear that he'd turn blue and stop breathing. He was so sick and it was terrifying to care for a baby with such failing health. It feels so good to have this almost behind us. You have no idea. Getting teary now just thinking about it. Really? We could be leaving here tomorrow???
If Elijah's xray looks good in the morning, they're going to send us home! I'm completely overwhelmed with about every emotion imaginable right now.
All of your prayers have gotten us to this point. Elijah had about a million prayers sent his way over the past few weeks and I have no doubt that they have helped him immensely. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Moga Smile
Dan and I are reading a book about pediatric heart surgeons and guess who is in the book?? Elijah's very own surgeon, Dr. Moga! We already knew he was smart and nice, but this book confirms what an amazing surgeon he is and what a kind, compassionate person he is on top of that. In the book, the author refers to The Moga Smile, and if you've ever met Dr. Moga you know exactly what that means. I guess we've got Moga on the brain since we'll be seeing him in LESS THAN THREE WEEKS. AAGHGHGghhhh, that is way too soon.
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