As luck would have it our Neurosurgeron was out of the office when all heck broke lose a little over two weeks ago. We literally saw him for our follow-up appointment and the very next morning he left town. Obviously he needs to clear his schedule with us before he thinks he's going to take time out of the office. What kind of business are they running here! Casey and I have often wondered where he has been or if anyone from the office would be up to examine Parker or let us know what their plan of attack is.
So, in a nutshell, we've been sitting here for over two weeks while Parker is getting pumped full of antibiotics to kill off this staff infection. Really, there isn't anything anyone can do. It's more of a waiting game to make sure everything, and I mean everything, is gone before they open him up again. Surgery has been pushed back a couple of times. No one is allowed to visit anymore. Makes it kind of lonely for us, but it's what is best for Sir Parks.
Two weeks later I see a familiar face creepin' in the hall. Luckily doors in the ICU are all glass. That is fortunate if you are the ultimate creeper like myself. It is rather unfortunate if you have to pick out a wedgie or make rude gestures to anyone that may have ticked you off. Not that I've attempted any of that... (daily).
I say to Casey, "He's here"!
Casey looks at me confused.
"Parker's Neurosurgeon is here! Finally!"
We turn around and he walks in. To be completely honest he walked in rather slowly. He seemed a little afraid or timid to come in our room. Let's be real. Parker got an infection that he more than likely acquired during surgery.
Do we blame you? A little bit. Did you save his life and take care of him. Yes! Was this a risk (though extremely unlikely) that you warned us about? Absolutely.
We knew this was a possibility. At the time it seemed unlikely, but nevertheless, a possibility.
He says, "So...I can't believe this situation."
Really. Tell me more about how you can't believe we are in this situation. How was your time out of the office? Great? Ours too...oh wait. We freaking LIVE here and have been scared out of our minds for two weeks!
We go over the story with what happened and he nods. He's clearly read over the notes. He then goes on to say, "This never happens. Like rarely ever happens to me. I do not have patients that get infections."
Casey and I both give him "deer in the headlights" stares.
"I know it's hard, but please trust me. We will take every precaution in the OR" he says.
NOW you are going to take every precaution. Cue verbal diarhhea...
"Yeah I do not really trust you at the moment. I trust you know what you are doing, but it's hard to trust that this won't happen again because our luck is awesome. When you tell me that this rarely happens in your OR it makes me even more afraid that there is something wrong with Parker's immune system."
He nods. If this happens again that is something that they would have to explore. Why can't we explore those things while we are here for a month? No clue. That is part of the medical system that annoys me.
You feel helpless and you can't trust just the doctors. There has to be something we can do as parents. So I ask, "We aren't dirty people. My house is clean. What can we do on our end"?
The doctor says to keep people away from Parker. He also goes on to tell us that Parker is at risk for this type of infection for at least a year because of his age. We certainly aren't going to keep people away for a year. However, we are going to keep them away until he's cleared from his Neurosurgeon. If you show up at our house you will be greeted with a "Do Not Enter" sign on the door. We do not want to be here again in two weeks. It's a small sacrifice. As Parker's Head of Command I will enforce this recommendation until he's somewhat in the clear. #sorrynotsorry
He also goes on to tell us that they are going to use different sutures that decrease the risk of infection. Infants do not tolerate stitches being taken out well so they tend to use ones that dissolve naturally. Well, in this case we have to come back and get them taken out. Parker will be super excited I'm sure. Can't wait for that appointment!
So, I being super sassy say, "Make sure while you are taking all of the precautions in the OR that everyone who touches Parker's brain washes their hands."
He thought I was joking. So I gave him the notorious Caitlin, "do I look like I'm kidding" face.
It's strange to us that "now" all of these extra precautions are being taken. I know it was meant as a reassurance to us as parents, but really it made us wonder, why the hell didn't you take these precautions BEFORE ? Hello? Anyone?
The Neurosurgeons here wear camo patterned scrub caps. They have embroidery on the front and different flags representing countries on the side. I assume a flag for every member of the team. Pretty clever, though we don't really understand the camo. What they do not understand is that no amount of camo is going to hide them from me if this happens again. Clever,yes. Effective strategy for hiding from HydroMommies, nope.
In all seriousness the team is here is amazing. I know it kills our doctor that this happened to Parker, especially since this rarely has happened to him. He goes on to tell us that we actually caught the infection super early (thank goodness). The infection from his Cerebral Spinal Fluid really wasn't that bad.
Interesting. You mean you've seen worse! Parker had a 103 temp and was in so much pain!
The crazy part is that one of the members of the team told us not to come in. He said, and I quote, "Do not bring him in right now. Fevers will typically be higher if there is a shunt infection."
Obviously we took him in anyway. More often than not parents rely on doctors and trust their opinions-as you should. That's why they get paid the big bucks right? WRONG. If you, in your heart of hearts, believe that there is something wrong then just go. You are the boss, always. I am not sure how sick you would wait to take your child in. Parker was super sick and I can't believe that people wouldn't just go. However, when a doctor tells you not to worry, well, you tend to not worry. I have crazy gut feelings and drive Casey mad until he starts to worry too. Otherwise, we might have not worried and it would have been bad, very, very bad.
I think Casey and I talk about this very subject every single day. Do you know how hard it is going to be raising a son with Hydro? Every fever, vomit and continuous headache is going to result in a trip to the ER. Here's some Tylenol for that fever and headache. Nope. Here's some morphine for the shunt we just had to take out because it's infected or not working. Dang it! Oh Parker...so high maintenance. Just kidding! I do call him a Diva. He gets that from his dad.
It's funny because Parker won't cry a single tear over brain surgery, but he screams bloody murder when they take him temp...under his arm. Every morning we come in and he's surrounded by toys, Disney Junior full force and he is all snuggled in his Boppy sucking on a pacifier. He is nothing short of Mariah Carey. Diva.
Last night Casey and I were in the elevator having a chuckle over our nervous nelly Neurosurgeon. We are on brain surgery #3 and shunt #2. I asked Casey, "Do you think it's like a shunt sale?"
He looks at me and just smiles because he knows something stupid is about to follow.
"Like buy two get the third for free?"
Ooooh Caitlin. Blue Cross Blue Shield wishes. I will be sure to ask the Neurosurgeons before surgery.
And he thought I was kidding...The day of surgery (which for the record no one knows when this will be) I will remind the doctors to wash their hands, pray to the Neurosurgeon Gods that this does not happen again, ask about the buy 2 get 3rd for free, and for goodness sake give us that darn shunt ID card so Casey quits calling the manufactuers!
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