Update on my niece - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

rhaevyn · 03-03-2005, 04:10 AM

who has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, as well as an update on my tonsils and adenoids, which I had removed yesterday.

Gabrielle Marie was born by emergency Caesarean yesterday, March 2nd 2005, while I was recovering at the Medical Center after getting my tonsils and adenoids removed. Jeneva (my sister in law) had gone in for her weekly checkup, and it turned out that Gabby's cord was around her neck, so they felt it best to deliver. She is 1 pound, 12 ounces and has TWO holes in her heart, but she is stable. She had to have a blood transfusion. Her eyes are slightly set apart, like we knew they probably would be, and she has a slight "Greek helmet" head, but I saw a picture of her, and she is absolutely beautiful. I probably won't be able to see her for a day or so because of the chance of me or her getting some kind of an infection, so I'm going to spend this time at home working on her baby book, and I'll give it to Chris (my brother) and Jeneva when I can finally see them.

Apparently, she was very alert when my parents and Christian (my nephew, Gabby's big brother) got to see her. They were allowed to touch her in her little incubator thing, and when Christian reached his finger in and rested it on her hand, she immediately grabbed it and held on. She's a little fighter, we can tell already.

My sister, Anna, and her friend Anne (and Anne's kids) are going to be here today. They left Minnesota last night, stopped overnight in Indiana, and are driving the rest of the way today. Anna's probably going to help me with the book because she has a sinus infection and isn't sure if it's a good idea for her to visit the baby and Jeneva.

So as for my tonsils and such, I was in the hospital for twelve hours yesterday because I was in incredible pain. When I woke up in Recovery, I was crying, I hurt so bad. They gave me the maximum amount of regular painkillers they could give me, then gave me a shot of demerol in my back. Throughout the day, they kept me on a regular schedule of my painkiller, plus they gave me another shot of demerol, mainly so that I could sleep because I was so drowsy but I COULDN'T sleep. I got popsicles and a cup of jello throughout the day. The main thing that has hurt so badly is my swollen uvula (the hangy-down thing in the back of your mouth) because it's nearly been blocking my throat off. I can't sleep unless I'm sitting up because the uvula will choke me by hanging down INTO my throat.

When I woke up after being in Recovery, after getting my shot of demerol, my Aunt Kelly came into my cubicle to keep me and my mom company. Daddy was at the other hospital with Chris, and after a while, Mom went there too. So Kelly stayed with me, and later, my Aunt Barb came in as well. They took care of me all day, and we got periodic updates on Gabrielle. By the end of the night, the nursing staff onhand knew about Gabrielle and was discussing her disorder, which they'd never heard of.

My first main nurse, Marian, was really nice and very attentive. I didn't have to call her for anything because she kept checking up on me, routinely refilling my ice pack, and giving me my medicine on time. But then her shift ended, and the only way I could get another nurse to check on me after that was to page them, which really annoyed me. They were very nice nurses, but they should have checked up on me like Marian did.

Anyway. It's 7:10 AM, and I woke up an hour and a half ago. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to go ahead and journal about yesterday while it's still fresh in my mind. I'm making a list of things I want to do before I die (not at all morbid, like some people think it is; I think it's rather inspiring), and #143 was "Get my tonsils and adenoids removed." So whenever I get anything on my list accomplished, I'm going to journal and eventually scrapbook about it.

I'm going to try to get some more sleep, so yeah...everybody keep my family in your thoughts/prayers, okay? Thanks.

ShaniFaye · 03-03-2005, 04:16 AM

I remember when I had my tonsils out (back when it required several days hospital stay) I woke up and ate a beef and cheddar from Arby's and had a Dr. Pepper

Some of the doctors thought I was insane, but MY doctor told them I'd been thru so much with my throat the previous 5 years that no pain I was feeling would stop me hehehehe

I will put your family on my prayer list with extra ones for little Gabby

rhaevyn · 03-03-2005, 08:51 AM

Thanks a lot, ShaniFaye.

If I'm feeling better this evening, I'm going to the hospital to visit, so *cross your fingers!*

03-03-2005, 04:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
rhaevyn Insane Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Update on my niece who has Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, as well as an update on my tonsils and adenoids, which I had removed yesterday. Gabrielle Marie was born by emergency Caesarean yesterday, March 2nd 2005, while I was recovering at the Medical Center after getting my tonsils and adenoids removed. Jeneva (my sister in law) had gone in for her weekly checkup, and it turned out that Gabby's cord was around her neck, so they felt it best to deliver. She is 1 pound, 12 ounces and has TWO holes in her heart, but she is stable. She had to have a blood transfusion. Her eyes are slightly set apart, like we knew they probably would be, and she has a slight "Greek helmet" head, but I saw a picture of her, and she is absolutely beautiful. I probably won't be able to see her for a day or so because of the chance of me or her getting some kind of an infection, so I'm going to spend this time at home working on her baby book, and I'll give it to Chris (my brother) and Jeneva when I can finally see them. Apparently, she was very alert when my parents and Christian (my nephew, Gabby's big brother) got to see her. They were allowed to touch her in her little incubator thing, and when Christian reached his finger in and rested it on her hand, she immediately grabbed it and held on. She's a little fighter, we can tell already. My sister, Anna, and her friend Anne (and Anne's kids) are going to be here today. They left Minnesota last night, stopped overnight in Indiana, and are driving the rest of the way today. Anna's probably going to help me with the book because she has a sinus infection and isn't sure if it's a good idea for her to visit the baby and Jeneva. So as for my tonsils and such, I was in the hospital for twelve hours yesterday because I was in incredible pain. When I woke up in Recovery, I was crying, I hurt so bad. They gave me the maximum amount of regular painkillers they could give me, then gave me a shot of demerol in my back. Throughout the day, they kept me on a regular schedule of my painkiller, plus they gave me another shot of demerol, mainly so that I could sleep because I was so drowsy but I COULDN'T sleep. I got popsicles and a cup of jello throughout the day. The main thing that has hurt so badly is my swollen uvula (the hangy-down thing in the back of your mouth) because it's nearly been blocking my throat off. I can't sleep unless I'm sitting up because the uvula will choke me by hanging down INTO my throat. When I woke up after being in Recovery, after getting my shot of demerol, my Aunt Kelly came into my cubicle to keep me and my mom company. Daddy was at the other hospital with Chris, and after a while, Mom went there too. So Kelly stayed with me, and later, my Aunt Barb came in as well. They took care of me all day, and we got periodic updates on Gabrielle. By the end of the night, the nursing staff onhand knew about Gabrielle and was discussing her disorder, which they'd never heard of. My first main nurse, Marian, was really nice and very attentive. I didn't have to call her for anything because she kept checking up on me, routinely refilling my ice pack, and giving me my medicine on time. But then her shift ended, and the only way I could get another nurse to check on me after that was to page them, which really annoyed me. They were very nice nurses, but they should have checked up on me like Marian did. Anyway. It's 7:10 AM, and I woke up an hour and a half ago. I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to go ahead and journal about yesterday while it's still fresh in my mind. I'm making a list of things I want to do before I die (not at all morbid, like some people think it is; I think it's rather inspiring), and #143 was "Get my tonsils and adenoids removed." So whenever I get anything on my list accomplished, I'm going to journal and eventually scrapbook about it. I'm going to try to get some more sleep, so yeah...everybody keep my family in your thoughts/prayers, okay? Thanks. __________________ ~Alex~ You've come far, and though you're far from the end, you don't mind where you are, 'cause you know where you've been.

03-03-2005, 04:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
ShaniFaye Submit to me, you know you want to Location: Lilburn, Ga	I remember when I had my tonsils out (back when it required several days hospital stay) I woke up and ate a beef and cheddar from Arby's and had a Dr. Pepper Some of the doctors thought I was insane, but MY doctor told them I'd been thru so much with my throat the previous 5 years that no pain I was feeling would stop me hehehehe I will put your family on my prayer list with extra ones for little Gabby __________________ *I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!*

03-03-2005, 08:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
rhaevyn Insane Location: Pittsburgh, PA	Thanks a lot, ShaniFaye. If I'm feeling better this evening, I'm going to the hospital to visit, so cross your fingers! __________________ ~Alex~ You've come far, and though you're far from the end, you don't mind where you are, 'cause you know where you've been.