ChloeWatts.com

Surgery Day, Dec 2nd, 2009

December 2nd, 2009 Posted in Daily News Post

For those of you who think you‘ve taken hard tests at your state university, private college or Yale… I challenge you to take one of God’s tests.  They are the hardest tests ever!

Today has been one of those tests.  

In keeping with the recent theme I’ll start at the end of the day.  Chloe is asleep thanks to some sleep-help meds.  Dana and Sandy are taking the high watch overnight at Emanuel Hospital’s PICU.  The ventilator is still hooked up; she still has a nose tube and a bunch of IV lines.  The plan is to take the ventilator off after the MRI at 11:30 am tomorrow.  She has been, basically, breathing on her own for the past 8 hours.  However, she did give us a scare when she received some pain medication.  She stopped breathing.  So they bagged her for a little while to get her going again and upped the ventilator a little to help her through the night.  She is listening to Michael Jackson and looking peaceful. 

Now I’ll jump back to the beginning of the day and load you up on this roller coaster from hell.  Check-in was at 6 am.  Actually about 6:30 when they finally called us.  We were then brought to a room where she got into her PJs, they took her vitals and the nerve monitor glued wires to her head and chest.  These would monitor nerve stimulation throughout the surgery to make sure she was still responding.  Along with the constant MRI scan she would be under the most sophisticated medical eyes possible. 

The basement is where the surgeries are performed, so down we went.  Eighteen months ago the room was empty except for us… it was Friday the 13^th.  This year it was packed.  Dr. Peter Scott, Chloe’s classmate’s dad, and also the anesthesiologist, came over to let us know his part and to calm everyone with his personal manner.  Next came Dr. Dorsen, the surgeon, who has become very fond of Chloe.  After a few final checks Chloe was moved to the operating room.  It was 7:30 on the dot, as promised.  Dana, Sandy (Dana’s Sister), Chloe’s Dad and I all left wondering what the heck we’d do for the next four or five hours.  

Surgery was to begin at 8:30 and we expected to be called back about 12:30 or 1:00.  The buzzer went off at 11:30 and it led to a little panic on Dana’s face and voice.  We went into the waiting area to hear from Dr. Dorsen.  He showed up in about 20 minutes and brought us into that very familiar conference room, the one from last time. 

Dr. Dorsen was somber in his delivery.  He told us that, as far as the surgery was concerned things went well, she did well.  However, as we knew, he chased the tumor as far as he could until it just disappeared into the brainstem.  He was aggressive, as planned but when the nerve sensor for the feeling in the hands showed an alert it was time to stop.  This could mean there had been damage. 

He was concerned, very concerned, because she wasn’t waking up or responding.  He told us that if she didn’t wake up within 48 hours we would be in a dire situation.  It was so obvious that Dr. Dorsen was deeply disappointed in what was going on.  Needless to say that would be an understatement of our emotions at this point.  He said of the 10 things we would need to have happen… waking up was #1 through #9.  The rest would be easier. 

He reassured us that, if it had been his child, he would have done the very same thing, exactly as it had been done.  He wanted to make sure Dana knew she made the right decision to bring Chloe in.  The tumor had grown to a state that was just about critical.  It was about to block the spinal fluid channel.  That would have put us in a very big emergency situation.  As it turned out he was able to get a lot of the tumor and open that channel wide open.  He also assured us the tumor was still benign.  

The decision was made to keep the breathing tube in and transport her directly to PICU.  We would not be able to see her for a few hours.  It was suggested we go home and come back at 5 pm… like that was ever going to happen for Dana, Sandy or Me.  Rev. Barb was with us also.  She is such a tremendous support!!!  Dave was in contact remotely as he had some transporting of people to do during the wait.  The wait was about an hour earlier than any of us expected so he got back, with Ramona, as soon as he could. 

We went directly to the PICU waiting area and I let them know Dana was there for Chloe as soon as she was allowed to see her.  They said it would be just a little while. 

The PICU doctor made it out to us sooner than we expected and  let us know that Chloe was, in deed, waking up and responding to instructions… like squeeze my finger.  We just kicked #1 thru #9 out the window!!!  Now to work on #10. 

Dana and I were let in to see her at this point.  Chloe recognized us both but she was still very groggy.  Sandy, Dave and Ramona were all able to get turns in the room on the onset.  She is unable to focus on anything and this could be due to some trauma to the brainstem.  It may only be like a bruise but we won’t know for sure for awhile.  The swelling needs to recede first. 

Although the breathing tube is keeping her from speaking, Chloe is sending orders via sine language and we are determining, the best we can, what she’s asking for.   

At about 4:15 or so, Dr. Dorsen and Peter Scott both came to see Chloe.  Then they came out to speak with us in the waiting area.  Dr. Dorsen was actually smiling… which is a trick for him…  He was very pleased with the progress she had made during the day but, once again, warned us, “We are far from out of the woods.”  The first 48 hours are the most critical.  This is the time that people who are going to have problems will have them.  There is a lot of debris in the surgery site that needs to get absorbed into the body.  Anything is possible during this process. 

With your prayers and a great doctor and his staff we have made it through today.  Tomorrow morning I’ll be back at the hospital to spell Dana and Sandy in hopes they can get a little sleep.  Dana is running on zero hours for a day and a half now.  Personally, I believe in Chloe’s ability to heal.  The only thing I’m holding onto is seeing Chloe coming home in a minimum amount of time and continuing her vibrant life as a teacher. 

Keep your prayers coming for Chloe and her entire family.  

Blessings,

Ron