First Day

Well, we've survived our first day of hospital visits! 

Yesterday we drove from home to near Columbus, to stay with our good friends Josh & Liz.  The trip was uneventful, and we had a very nice dinner and evening with them.

This morning, Heath & Tabitha & I left at 6am for Cincinnati Children's Hospital.  We got there just after 8:30, in time for her radiology appointment.  She was all happy and fine until they wanted her to put on the hospital gown.  That has great depth of meaning to her, and she wasn't about to cooperate!  We finally persuaded her, and she was OK.  The child life specialist had lots of toys for her, and everyone was really friendly and helpful. 

Then came the time to lay her down on the table for the x-ray.  She wasn't having any of that business!  Not even a Dora DVD would convince her that the table wasn't the gates of Hades.  I know it was out of fear, but she just screamed angrily and fought with all her might to get off that table.  And when told to lay flat she gave her version of "No" that's usually reserved for her most defiant moments.  Finally we were able to pin her down and snap the picture.  Heath just kept his arms around her head and talked soothingly to her until she finally calmed down.  The next step was the contrast enema.  Since this involves inserting a tube into her rectum we were all fully prepared for an even worse fight!  But she had finally realized the table and camera were not going to hurt her and that Dora was actually pretty interesting!  She must not have any feeling in that area because she didn't even flinch when the tube went in.  And there wasn't a single tear or yell or fight for the rest of the time!  The rest of the x-rays were easy, and there were no more problems.  Then we drove back home to Josh & Liz's, and we're done for today.

Meanwhile we found out the hospital had given us a wrong date on our itinerary.  Her exam under anesthesia was supposed to be on the 17th, but it turns out it's actually on the 10th (tomorrow).  We thought tomorrow was a free day, so we've had to adjust our plans quite a bit.  It took several phone calls and finally talking in person to someone at the hospital to get it figured out.  Then about 10 minutes ago they called us to say they've changed the time!  GGRRRRRR!  Actually, the later time will work better for our travel schedule, but now she can't eat after 5:45 in the morning, and won't have the exam until 1:45.  That should be fun.  >:-[

Ethan and Jesse stayed with our friends this morning, and all the kids have had a blast playing together.  Liz and I took them sledding today, and we made soft pretzels, and we're having a good time.  We're so thankful for Josh & Liz's hospitality and friendship!

Tomorrow my mom's coming to meet us, and we'll be staying at a hotel the rest of the time.  Lots more procedures and events to do, but we're off to a good (if a little rocky) start. 

BTW, it is absolutely beyond FREEZING here!  I forgot how brutal midwest winters are!