About

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

a little update on Hannah

I put this picture of Hannah and me up on Instagram yesterday...asking for prayer for my girl.



Yesterday was the long-awaited day of her endoscopy at Children's Hospital in Seattle.  Along with the endoscopy, an MRI of her head was also scheduled.  We have no idea why she has frequent headaches or even if they are related to her tummy issues so that's why the MRI.

We left our house at 6 am for her 8:45 check in time.  Without traffic, Children's is only about 45 minutes to an hour away, but with Monday morning commute traffic, it's hard to know.  Thankfully, it wasn't too bad.  We arrived around 7:30.  We came prepared with books to read.

Waiting in the Radiology department, Hannah decided to color a few pictures.  I don't care how old you are, coloring can be therapeutic.


When I saw what she had colored, tears just rolled down my cheeks.  It gave me a glimpse into her thought life.  She isn't always one to speak her mind.  In fact, she'd rather not burden anyone with her worries or problems.

She made it to encourage other little ones who are afraid and hurting.  (not that they could read it, but a worried, afraid mama might.)  That's my girl, spreading sunshine where ever she goes even when her own life feels a little more rain-cloud like.

MRIs can be a little creepy.  Especially as you enter into a tube realizing you might have claustrophobia issues. Instead of listening to music, they provided movies to watch.  Hannah said where the screen was positioned gave her the feeling of being out in the open, which definitely helped her with keeping her mind off of being in a very small cave!  Can you guess her movie selection?

a.  101 Dalmations
b.  Goonies
c.  Captain America
d.  Storks

Following the MRI we crossed the hallway to the GI surgery center.   She found a comfy love seat and promptly fell asleep.  I grabbed a coffee and read and people watched.
I've been reading this book.  It was very popular a few years ago, but being the rebel that I am, I didn't want to read it then when everyone was raving about it.  Anyway, the take-away from it is that no matter what the circumstances are in your life - there is always something (1000 things!) to be grateful and thankful for.  She encourages to slow down enough to take the time to look for even the smallest of blessings even (or especially) when in the midst of hardships.

I read, but was distracted by my own thoughts and a myriad of bunny trails my mind goes down...
what's for dinner - did I take out the meat - so thankful Eric took the day off to be with the kids at home - I need to reschedule an appointment....
As I people-watched, I wondered what brought them to Children's Hospital.  Some parents were there with tiny sleeping infants, some with crying toddlers, only a few displayed obvious reasons why they were there.  I silently admired these parents for their bravery and strength - carrying the burden of hard news and harsh realities all the while being the strength for their children.

This reminded me of my best friend, who lives in California.  Her son was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was ten.  Most of their treatments were in California, but later on in his battle they came to Seattle Children's for a clinical trial.   That is a bravery that I have no words for.

Finally, Hannah was called back to be "prepped." She changed into her fashionable hospital gown and grippy Grover socks  We met with the nurses who would be attending her, we met with the anesthesiologists, we met with her doctor.  I was issued a pager to be notified when the procedure was done.

Startled by a gentle hand on my shoulder, only about 20 minutes later, I looked up and saw the doctor. Apparently my pager wasn't working and never went off.  I followed her into a consulting room to go over her findings.  She showed me the pictures.  She pointed out some inflammation in a few places and also some bile, which doesn't belong in her stomach (having not eaten for 24 hours!)
The doctor couldn't account for that, but overall things looked good.
So there we are.  We don't really have any answers, and yet we have something, but it doesn't look to be a horrible something - though we will know more when the pathology results are in.

Just as she finished with me, they told me that I could go back to see Hannah.  I was in the room when the gurney arrived.  They helped her into a big recliner chair and she was crying!  The nurses saw my concern and assured me it was a by-product of the anesthesia.  I turned to Hannah and asked her why she crying and she said she had horrible nightmares.  She was dizzy and nauseous, and disoriented and terrified.  I gently stroked her hair, and she slipped off to sleep again.
A little more sleep, and then a little apple juice, and the anesthesia fading a bit all helped her to feel a bit more normal.   All cleared for take - off, we headed home.

Today is a rest day.


And this...



- Carol

3 comments:

  1. I love you! I'm so very thankful for the strength you have and show. <3

    ReplyDelete
  2. There's much here I can relate to-- children's hospital, the book, the waiting...

    I admire the gentle and quiet spirit you both display.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine,
      Knowing that others can relate is an encouragement. Thank you for that. :-)

      Delete


I always look forward to reading your comments. Thank you for taking the time to leave one. :-)