Well we made it! We are now back at the hotel and Isabel is tucked up with her Cochlear Koala and new monkey puppet and has been dozing in and out most of the day.
So what happened yesterday? We arrived at Prince of Wales Private Hospital at 12.30pm and checked into our room in the Paediatric ward. Our anxiety was building throughout the morning, but once we reached the hospital it hit an all time high and we were all very quiet. We got to our room and our anaesthetic doctor (Harry) came to see Isabel and to talk us through the process of the day. Because Chris has a history of Malignant Hyperthermia (which basically means a severe reaction to general anesthetic which makes your blood boil!!) in his family Harry has asked another specialist paediatric anaesthetist to “sit in” with him for the surgery to help monitor Izzy’s progress.
Still a happy girl!
At 2pm a nurse arrived and asked me to bring Isabel through to theatre. Mum and Chris had to wait outside while I went in while they put Isabel to sleep (as only one parent could go in). Doing this was so much better than what we had experienced during Isabel’s MRI/CT general anaesthetic. On that day Isabel was taken away from us (crying no less and wondering why I was handing her over to a total stranger!) and they had to jab her 5 times trying to get a vein as we listened to her screaming through the paper-thin wall. It was very traumatic. This time, I carried Issy into theatre and held tightly onto her while they inserted the drip. Because of the potential reaction to gas she wasn't allowed any but instead about half an hour before we went in Isabel had patches placed on her to numb the areas where the needles would go. When they went to insert the needle I braced myself for her to scream in pain….and then there was nothing. She made a little moan, but then looked up at me and that was it. Such a trooper!! 60 seconds later the oxygen was on and Isabel was off to sleep.
This is the part when I lost it. When I had to walk out of that theatre on my own knowing they would be cutting into my baby’s head!! Having to trust that she would be ok and totally believing the word of a man I had met only twice before. But somehow because I was able to go into the theatre with her and I knew where she would be, it seemed to make it a little better.
Dr Chang called us 2 hours into surgery to let us know Issy was doing great. The first implant was in and tested and everyone was happy. Half way there!! We filled the time by going to the hospital market and buying Isabel about 10 pairs of these really cute leggings and summer shorts. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy!! Then we sat in the room and watched the tennis (or stared at the screen, not sure how much I actually took in) until Dr. Chang called again to tell us he was done and they were on the way to recovery.
At 7pm we were allowed to see Isabel in recovery. She was all bandaged up and had two little bows on the top of her dressing…it was quite cute really. She had the same hoarse cry that she had when she had her last GA and she was really disorientated. She cried and cried and cried. When I was able to pick her up, blood came out of her nose and mouth, which they told us was totally normal, but it was so scary and awful to see and I completely lost it.
The absolute worst part of the day
The night was pretty rough. Issy slept for a max of 20 mins at a time and then cried for 20 mins at a time. She hated the bandage on her head and every time I moved her she wailed. In the morning she finally managed her first smile....such a relief.
Her little bows were quite sweet!
Recovering
The battle wounds :(
Apart from a huge amount of swelling, Isabel is recovering really well. She is smiling more and more and even laughing while playing with her toys. One more night here in Sydney and then we will make the drive back to Canberra. It will be a very quiet week for us while Issy recovers, but then the following week....if things all go to plan...will be the most exciting week of them all! Isabel's "switch on". Stay tuned!!
Our little family....Isabel is now on her way!!
M. x
I came across your story today on the Loud Shirt Day link on facebook, I have been reading your journey so far and I truly hope that Isabel's implants work. I have several friends in the UK (where I am originally from) who have implants and one of my old students used an implant, I have heard so many mixed views on them and I know a lot of the Deaf community object.
ReplyDeleteI am a sign language interpreter (qualified in England) and to be honest, always said that if my children had been born with a hearing loss (I was born profoundly deaf) that I would have seriously considered an implant if the specialists thought it would be useful for them. I will continue to follow Isabel's journey and look forward to her switch on day.
Canberra is a great place to be to raise children, we are raising both our daughters here and I can completely understand why you would want to return here, especially being as you can now have the same care throughout this journey.
Good luck!! I look forward to reading your next blog.
Hi
ReplyDeleteFirst of all i want to congratulate your whole family for your little one entering into the hearing world.
My daughter had the CI surgery at the age of 5 1/2 yrs, we are late but she is doing well. I am sure that Isabel will listen and talk like a normal child at that age.
Best luck for a great success!!
Can I share Isabel's story in my Facebook page pl. reply.
my page
http://www.facebook.com/VanditaCanTalk
Varsha
India