Today’s Hospital experience

Today was the day our daughter underwent an MRI and CAT scan at OHSU.  She has hearing loss in her left ear, and after many tests, it’s been determined to be permanent, so the point of today’s tests is to see if there is anything else wrong. 

After arriving at the child sedation wing of the hospital, they put numbing pads on her hands and feet.  Then you wait for 1.5 hours with a 9 month old baby who hasn’t been allowed to eat for 12 hours.  NOT FUN.  She is such a happy baby, it’s horrible to see her so upset.

After getting into the doctor area, she then gets an I.V. for the sedation.  It took 3 tries to get a vein, which was NOT fun for her or my wife and I.  When they finally got the I.V. in place, they warned us that the drug will put her to sleep very quickly, like in 10 seconds.  So, be prepared for her to go completely limp and her breathing and heart to slow way down.  It worked.

Seeing her go from hysterical (from hunger and being pricked 3 times) to completely out of it, to asleep in the matter of a few seconds was very emotional for my wife and I.  It’s heart-wrenching to see your little baby girl put under.  She is so helpless and innocent.  It really bothers me to see her in pain, and even more to see her put under like that.  I know it’ s not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but it was very difficult for me to see her lying there like that.

The MRI and CAT scan went well, her breathing and blood pressure stayed very good the whole time.  About an hour and a half later, we were with her again, getting her to wake up and feed (finally.)  Now we just wait for the results. 

We know she has some hearing loss in one ear, but hopefully it’s not severe enough (in the mid-ranges) to impede her in learning language.  That’s the big question right now.

Whatever the outcome, we will be right there for her.  Our children are everything to us, and we would do anything for them.  It’s so difficult to watch them when they are hurting, especially through no actions of their own.  The depth of emotion, which I have talked about before, is magnified dramatically when you become a parent.

Dadsworld wants to say a big “Thank You” and “Bless You” to all of you involved parents out there who are raising your own children with love, discipline and involvement.  You are hero’s.  Society owes the good parents a debt of gratitude, and I encourage you to support them any way you can.  Involved parenting is not easy.  It’s a rough job, but so rewarding and needed.  Thank you.