January 19th-23rd
Monday and Tuesday were the deciding days as the Doctors made the decision to move Dylan into surgery to close the Ductus (in his heart). Dylan was relatively stable for these days, but it became increasingly difficult for us to come to grips with the fact that Dylan would need to be transferred to a different hospital (Children’s Hospital of Oakland or “CHO”). We had heard that the environment was slightly different there.
Wednesday was a monumental day as Brandi was able to hold Dylan for the first time. It was incredible!!! As soon as they nurses laid Dylan on Mommy’s chest, we saw his eyes open for the first time and his vitals became perfect. This is when we realized that no matter how small he was and no matter how long he was going to be in the ICN, he still knew who Mommy and Daddy were.
He laid there for about an hour prior to getting the orders for transport to CHO. The transport was necessary as there are no Pediatric Surgeons on staff at John Muir. We were confident that this was the best place for him to be, but it was still difficult. For Mom this may have been the hardest day, emotionally, since giving birth.
When Dylan and Brandi arrived at CHO (separately), it was apparent that this hospital had a very different environment. Being that they are a trauma center, most of the children in the ICN were from many different locations, with many different needs (not just premature babies). In addition, the nurses seemed to have a different philosophy on how to keep the babies calm and resting as the environment was a bit louder than John Muir.
Thursday, was one of the toughest days for Daddy. Dylan was scheduled to go into surgery in the afternoon. He was on the wait list and although we started feeling more comfortable that he was in the right place at CHO, stress and anxiety started setting in as the clocked ticked and optimism that he would have the procedure done that day dwindled.
At about 6pm on Thursday, our Surgeon came to us and said that the Anesthesiologist did not want to do the procedure until the next day due to the fact that they no longer had a full staff on board. Meanwhile, Dylan’s vitals were showing that he needed the surgery sooner rather than later with his blood pressure low and his heart beating / working harder. Being there for 8 hours and anticipating the surgery was exhausting, but we understood that the circumstances were not optimal that night.
On Thursday, the procedure was scheduled at 1pm. Our realistic expectation was that he would be called in around 3pm. Around 3:30pm, the doctors scheduled the procedure for 4pm. The nurses tried to get him ready, but had to perform some last minute preparation as the doctors waited. His stats were somewhat normal for a premature baby of his age, but it was clear that he was irritated by being disturbed in order to get prepared for the surgery.
Around 4:30pm, Dylan went into surgery and was out by 5:30pm and back in the ICN. Dr. Kim, the surgeon, said that the procedure went great and that Dylan was doing well.
Once we were able to see him, we were greatly relieved and, although the heart rate was elevated, the nurses and doctors said that he was stable.
What a huge relief this was for both Mom and Dad and we could go home, rest and pray that this was the final step prior to Dylan being able to really make progress toward growing and developing.
Monday and Tuesday were the deciding days as the Doctors made the decision to move Dylan into surgery to close the Ductus (in his heart). Dylan was relatively stable for these days, but it became increasingly difficult for us to come to grips with the fact that Dylan would need to be transferred to a different hospital (Children’s Hospital of Oakland or “CHO”). We had heard that the environment was slightly different there.
Wednesday was a monumental day as Brandi was able to hold Dylan for the first time. It was incredible!!! As soon as they nurses laid Dylan on Mommy’s chest, we saw his eyes open for the first time and his vitals became perfect. This is when we realized that no matter how small he was and no matter how long he was going to be in the ICN, he still knew who Mommy and Daddy were.
He laid there for about an hour prior to getting the orders for transport to CHO. The transport was necessary as there are no Pediatric Surgeons on staff at John Muir. We were confident that this was the best place for him to be, but it was still difficult. For Mom this may have been the hardest day, emotionally, since giving birth.
When Dylan and Brandi arrived at CHO (separately), it was apparent that this hospital had a very different environment. Being that they are a trauma center, most of the children in the ICN were from many different locations, with many different needs (not just premature babies). In addition, the nurses seemed to have a different philosophy on how to keep the babies calm and resting as the environment was a bit louder than John Muir.
Thursday, was one of the toughest days for Daddy. Dylan was scheduled to go into surgery in the afternoon. He was on the wait list and although we started feeling more comfortable that he was in the right place at CHO, stress and anxiety started setting in as the clocked ticked and optimism that he would have the procedure done that day dwindled.
At about 6pm on Thursday, our Surgeon came to us and said that the Anesthesiologist did not want to do the procedure until the next day due to the fact that they no longer had a full staff on board. Meanwhile, Dylan’s vitals were showing that he needed the surgery sooner rather than later with his blood pressure low and his heart beating / working harder. Being there for 8 hours and anticipating the surgery was exhausting, but we understood that the circumstances were not optimal that night.
On Thursday, the procedure was scheduled at 1pm. Our realistic expectation was that he would be called in around 3pm. Around 3:30pm, the doctors scheduled the procedure for 4pm. The nurses tried to get him ready, but had to perform some last minute preparation as the doctors waited. His stats were somewhat normal for a premature baby of his age, but it was clear that he was irritated by being disturbed in order to get prepared for the surgery.
Around 4:30pm, Dylan went into surgery and was out by 5:30pm and back in the ICN. Dr. Kim, the surgeon, said that the procedure went great and that Dylan was doing well.
Once we were able to see him, we were greatly relieved and, although the heart rate was elevated, the nurses and doctors said that he was stable.
What a huge relief this was for both Mom and Dad and we could go home, rest and pray that this was the final step prior to Dylan being able to really make progress toward growing and developing.
Your family is so strong. We will continue to pray for strength for you all!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear the surgery went well! Go Dylan!
ReplyDeletePsalm 139: 13-14, "For YOU formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."
ReplyDeletePraying the Creator of all things, shines His face upon Baby Dylan with mercy and love!
-Lissa