Saturday, March 13, 2010

Dartmouth Appointment

So yesterday I took my sidekick to Dartmouth to see his PCP.  We went down to get an x-ray first so that we could see how his left lung is doing.  Those radiologists know us well.  We're on a first name basis down there.  Now that Ben is on his vent all the time, it takes a little longer to get things done.  When we rolled into x-ray...they had to wait for me to take him off the vent, unhook his pulse oximeter, take his jacket off, unbuckle his seat strap and over the head restraint and then finally lift him onto the table.  The three of them just stand there and watch, always offering to help, but knowing that I have my system down and it's just easier for me to do it all.  When he's all set on the table, I throw on my protection and hold him still for the x-ray.  After we're all done, I load him back into his chair, put his jacket on, buckle him up, hook him back up to his vent, turn his pulse oximeter back on and out the door we go.  As I was walking down the hall, one of the tech's leaned over and quietly said..."He's lucky to have you".  I just smiled while in my head I thought..."No, I am lucky to have HIM".  And then off we went.  His left lung is still significantly collapsed.  That was discouraging, but not surprising considering his numbers at home and the fact that he hardly has any breath sounds on his left side.  Ben's PCP will consult AGAIN with the pulmonologist to see what they can come up with to try and pop that lung open and KEEP it open.  Right now with it being so collapsed, it's a pneumonia waiting to happen.  While we were at Dartmouth we attended a memorial service for a little girl that died in the PICU a few weeks back.  Made for a long, emotionally tough day.  Another reminder that life is fragile.

10 comments:

Lacey said...

Oh that darn lung! Life is definitely fragile, and we are reminded of that way to much.

Junior said...

we will sure be praying they can come up with a way to get that lung open.
Life is so very precious and fragile, we are truly blessed by these little angels in our lives.
Hugs

Unknown said...

He IS lucky.
And I'm so glad someone said it out loud to you.
xoxo

Trina and Jophie said...

This is prolly a dumb question and honestly I feel stupid asking it cause I just know your doing this BUT, just in case......CPT?(Chest percussion therapy) Do you have an electric percussor? If not your hand works great as well as one of those inflatable masks attached to a bite stick. As long as your getting that "POP POP POP" sound then your doing it perfectly.(I muddled my way through respiratory therapy till I nearly got slathered with a big snot wad!) That was it for me! Jophie doesn't bother me but strangers ICK...Cound NOT stand it! LOL...The best part about it though was I gained enough knowledge to care for Jophie. In fact...because of my flighty and unsettled like behavior...I dabbled in a little bit of this and that(medically)all proving to be of use now with Jophie. Funny how that all works out eh? Now get to pounding the snot outta that boy! We can NOT be having any atelectasis! :0) Jophies all icky by the way...Just haven't had any time to post...Been working non-stop with him today. I HATE HATE waking up to the sat monitor going off and then finding a very distressed and dusky looking little boy. UGH...Makes me want to never sleep....OK times up! Jophie calls....Talk soon and I'll send you a little note to let you know when I get my private blog up so you can get in...Talk soon

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Poor bub ... I hope they can get that lung to pop open! That must not be comfy.

I'm sorry to hear about the memorial service. These little ones are such strong, amazing beings. I hate that we know so many who have gone to heaven. :(

LL said...

You guys are a good team~
You're both lucky!!!

The VW's said...

Life is definitely fragile! Sounds like an emotional and exhausting day! Sorry to hear that his lung is still misbehaving! Praying it 'wakes up' soon!

And, I think that you are both blessed to have each other! Love, Hugs and Prayers!!!

Eleyna Julia said...

The tech had it right my dear, he is lucky to have you. I admire you so much Becks!

April said...

You are both so lucky to have each other. I know it's hard to have so many reminders that life is fragile... You're in my heart!

Rubypat said...

Yes, I agree, you are BOTH lucky to have each other. People say to me that my child is blessed to have me - but I know that I am the one who is blessed - who is chosen by God to care for one of His special ones.