We were looking forward to a fun day too cause we knew we only had 4 apps but they were morning and afternoon. First Broc saw the nurse practitioner and we answered a host of questions. Child life was there to keep the boys company so it was a little easier to talk to the drs then.
They explained the FEES study and what it entailed. We also had an app with the speech pathologist too. She was asking about Brocs choking episodes and how he ate and drank. The FEES. Study was not very pleasant. They numbed Brocs nose with a spray and after a couple minutes we went to the procedure room. I held him tight on my lap and the nurse held his head while the speech lady mixed some dye into all the foods and drink that he was going to have. The dr then put the flex scope into his nose and down his throat so we could see his vocal cords and swallowing. Everything was on a tv screen in front of us so I could see everything that was happening. Broc was very scared but handled it like a champ. We were so proud of him. The results of that test was very reassuring regarding his swallowing. His vocal cords and flaps close appropriately when they are supposed to. He does have some bumps in the back of his throat which points to reflux. At least we know that when he swallows it goes down the right pipe.
After that we headed down to the resource room to see what cool things were close to the hospital for the boys. The zoo was only a couple blocks. Cause we are members to the zoo in Indiana we got a discount on our tickets. It was a wonderful zoo. We knew our time was limited as we had another app in the afternoon. We explained our situation to the people at the ticket office and they said that we could come back after our app as the zoo only closed at 6pm. The boys were so happy that we could come back. We saw lots of amazing animals inside and out. It was 92F so the inside places were very much welcomed. So were the icees that we had.
We came back to the hospital in the afternoon for our next app. We saw the anesthesia team for our day in the OR. Once again we had to answer lots of questions.
Once we were done we headed back to the zoo to see all the rest of the animals that we had missed. After that we headed to the Ronald McDonald House where we will stay. We checked in and got settled into our room. Dinner was yummy in the dinning room and then we headed down to the game room for the boys to have some fun.
The people are so friendly here and want to help all the time. Children really come first here. I keep apologizing for their loudness and wild antics but everyone days not to worry we understand. Kids are kids.
Even though this trip is really going to be stressful for Mark and I as we have to answer lots of questions and have to endure long days at the hospital with the boys. We also have to watch Broc go through many procedures and sedation. He is such a brave little guy and Mark is such a big brother. I can only imagine how boring a hospital must be for him especially when his brother is getting all the attention. The child life team are making sure that Mark gets to feel special too and brings him little things too. The boys are educating everyone about dinosaurs and sharks.
Thank you in advance for all your prayers and thoughts. They truly are appreciated.
I'm glad the FEES study had some good news!
ReplyDeleteWe took the kids to the Cincy Zoo last summer and they loved it! They didn't want to leave the manatee exhibit :)
Yes it is amazing. We loved that it was also the only AC place at the zoo as it was 94F.
ReplyDeleteI lived down that way for a few years and would take my little cousin to the zoo when she visited :) When we took the kids, they were too little to make it through the whole thing so I need to take them back when they have more stamina =)
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