On Valentine’s Day we were
invited on a “first date” with the pediatric neurosurgeon from Children’s
Memorial Hospital (for those not familiar, we have information about each
hospital in the Hospitals
section as Children’s will be moving in June which will be discussed throughout
this blog). This is the appointment we were most nervous about because we know the
Spina Bifida will need to be treated immediately after birth. With this appointment we would begin to
get a timeline of JD’s first few weeks.
First of all, let me say we
are not writing this blog to complain about doctors or the medical field in
anyway. Yet, it is hard not to mention the fact that we arrived at the office
at 8:45a for a 9a appointment. We were called into the room at 9:15a and the
doctor walked into the room at 10:10a to meet with us. In most professions that
is just unacceptable. To make it worse she did not even apologize or make up a
story. All I was looking for was “so sorry, my last appointment took much
longer than anticipated” even if she was really on Pinterest.
Waiters/waitresses do that all the time (I was one in high school so I know) “I
am so sorry the kitchen missed the order but they are making it now” when in
reality I just forgot to put in the order (don’t judge it rarely happened).
Anyway, Nate was not a happy camper but I figure this woman would be doing a
very intense surgery on our son so I should put on a happy face.
Sorry for the little rant
sidenote (see it is not hard to apologize). When we walked into the appointment
(and any appointment) we assumed the doctor has been briefed or has reviewed
our files or ultrasounds. However, that does not seem to be the case as we
continue to explain the situation. I guess we figured everyone at Northwestern
and Children’s would be talking as that is what they do but it turns out they
still use fax (what?!?!). Dr. B walked in without looking at our ultrasound so
we explained what we were told about the spine. I hope we were correct in our explanation
as I question if advertising/media professionals are fully qualified to give medical
information.
Dr. B was extremely nice and
we could tell she works with kids as her attitude is very bubbly and positive
yet it is also very medical. She had a tendency to jump around and speak to us
as if we speak “spine” all the time. That being said, I will not go into great
detail but here is the rundown:
·
She asked if we
could move the c-section to a Monday (it is currently scheduled for a Thursday)
so we have the whole week for surgery. I am picturing my c-section like Grey’s
Anatomy with my OB, the high risk doctors, the newborn team, the nurses,
residents (Northwestern is a teaching hospital), and a host of others. Now, if
only everything could be wrapped up and resolved in a 1-hour show it would be
much easier.
·
It was confirmed
we will get to spend a few minutes with him after the c-section but they will
take him to Children’s immediately so the newborn team can monitor him. Of
anything we have heard this is by far the hardest for me because I cannot go
with him. Nate will be with JD at Children’s the whole time but I will need to
stay at Prentice. My negotiation skills are already at work trying to be
released early.
·
They will
monitor him for two days to confirm JD will be ready for surgery on the 3rd
day.
·
They will be
closing up the hole in the spine as well as watching the brain to insure no
fluid builds up and he is breathing is regulated.
·
Depending on how
things go, he will be at the hospital for 3-4 weeks for both the newborn team
and the neurosurgery team to monitor him.
Overall, no new news just
putting together the timeline of JD’s first few weeks. We will still meet with
the newborn team at Children’s and the orthopedic surgeon for his clubfoot as
well as return visits to Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Pediatric
Cardiologist. Oh and don’t forget my 3-hour Glucose test where I get to fast
for 8 hours then drink a terrible drink before getting my blood drawn 3 times.
Yum!
Valentine’s Day ended on a
positive note with beautiful tulips from Nate the Great who makes me smile
inside and out every single day. If Connor and JD grow up to be even a fraction
of who Nate is they will become the most amazing men.
(P.S. Nate received a bottle
of 12 Year Reserve Jameson and homemade heart-shaped cupcakes.)