Wild Day

Today was crazy. I was going to work in the morning and then go to join Emily and Tracy at the hospital for Emily treatment and admission. Haley has the flu, she has had a 102 degree fever on and off for the past 48 hours. Then Tracy's car wouldn't start. I came home and helped get the Hilander in the shop, and also we decided to do the timing belt and the whole big maintenance job. Since we were down to one car, I worked from home for the rest of the morning. Tracy, Emily and I left for the hospital at 12:30 to check in at 1. We checked in and eventually were called into pre-op.

In pre-op they take her weight, height, temp, blood pressure, and then access her port. They also ask us all the medication, dosage and the last time we gave the medication, so they have a current history of Emily's care. Then you meet with the RN who will be in the procedure room for the LP (lumbar puncture). Then you meet with the Anesthesiologist and a resident who go over the sedation plan, and you sign consent. They asked Emily when the last time she ate solid food was? She said, "I had some popcorn while I watched the Giants game last night with my Daddy." The resident had watched to game too, in which the Giants won, and we all talked about the exciting 9th inning. Then the NP who is actually doing the procedure comes in. We've done this about 9 times so at this point I know everything that is going to happen. Then Emily is loaded onto her gurney and we all walk to the OR/Procedure room.

During all this Tracy had to leave to drive home to take Haley to the Dr.'s. We(I) was worried that she was getting even more sick and wanted to have her seen. It turns out that it's just the flu, and she has to wait it out. So Tracy was not present for this procedure. I know it was hard for Tracy not to be there, but at the same time this is becoming routine, even putting Emily under. Emily did pretty well without her there, she's so brave. We were glad Haley was checked out. I was proud of myself, I usually leave the room before Emily is put to sleep, I don't like to watch it. Since Tracy wasn't there I had to do it, and it wasn't that bad. They asked Emily what "flavor" she wanted the O2 to be and she choose bubble gum. They rub some scented solution on the inside of the O2 mask. Then the nurse asked Emily if she had any brothers or sisters, and Emily told the nurse about Haley. As this is going on they are slowly administering the Propofol. The nurse started to tell Emily a story called "Emily and Haley go to the Bubble gum forest" She got to "Once opon a time there was a beautiful girl named Emily and she had a beautiful sister named Haley and one day there Mommy and Daddy took them to the Bubble gum forest......" she was out. I have heard that in past times she has cried being put under, but this was very peaceful and slow, it wasn't that bad at all.

About a half hour later I was called into the post-op area. Emily was awake and recovering really well, she was aware. She was hungry. They offered her ice cream, and she said, "Yes please" with a big smile. She actually had two servings before being transported to her room for in-patient treatment.

We have to share a room again. But this time our room is better. We have a window, and our room mate is an infant still in a crib. I am not sure if it's a boy or a girl or what type of cancer he or she has. It's really sad to see any of these kids, but infants are even tougher I think. At least we can communicate to Emily and she to us. Emily has to hydrate to a certain level and then will be given 24 hours of high dose Methotrexate, and then will have to stay until she get lower than a level of .10 in her blood. Last time it took her 81 hours to clear, they track it by hour. 72 is the average so we are hoping she clears a little faster this time, which is possible, but Tracy and I are set to be there for however long it takes.

The picture up top is tonight in the playroom at the hospital. They were making Volcanoes !

I am home with Haley with the flu tonight and Tracy is up at the hospital with Emily. Tomorrow night we will switch.

**To Emily's friends. If you are around this holiday weekend and can swing by for a visit, Emily would love to see you. Please call Tracy first so we can coordinate the visits.