Green Bracelet
Tonight, both Janette and I are wearing our green hosptial bracelets. She, with Hannah at our main hospital; I, with Gabriel at home.
Needless to say, Hannah's follow-up appointment did not go well today. For the past week, we've been managing a fever with medication, but not breaking the fever. We went in today expecting to at least go the antibiotic route (this wasn't acting like a "simple" virus). Being that Hannah's abdomen was really tender (and had felt hard in spots over the weekend), we decided with her primary physician to send her over to the hosptial for tests.
We typically resist sending Hannah to the hospital. At home, we have so much equipment that, short of an IV drip, we can handle most things here. Hospital = new germs; we avoid it whenever possible. But the something-doesn't-feel-right-in-the-tummy gave us enough pause to want to check it out.
After chest xrays, abdominal ultrasounds and CAT scans, we have learned that Hannah has some new issues on both sides of her abdomen. I've had to move from the semi-professional, parent-RT that can handle anything related to known conditions back into uncharted waters. It looks like we have several days ahead of surgical procedures and attempts to both diagnose and treat whatever is going on in there.
So tonight we wear our green hospital bracelets. Janette is comforting Hannah (and playing lots of Laurie Berkner on the travel DVD). Gabriel, after our late night visit to the hospital, is settling into sleep rather quickly. I'll be up awhile - too tired to work, but too wired & concerned to sleep well.
-- Dad
