January 10 2003, we arrived 11:30 am this morning check in and went to the children's waiting room. Up to this point everyone was very nice and informative to our question and concerns.
The children's waiting area, big, warm, child friendly. The nurses in the short stay for was kind, friendly, no matter what came forth on their schedule they never seemed overwhelmed. We waited a few hours because of needing to do an Mri of the brain we had to re schedule surgery too. Every nurse that had come into the waiting room was child friendly spoke to Anthony at his level not above, all of the staff had talk to Anthony in away
that would put a smile on his face.
Radiology clinic;
One of the biggest concerns of Anthony's was is the doctor going to use the gas mask.
When the Anesthesiologist came into the waiting room he proceeded to tell us what he will be doing to prep Anthony for surgery then ask if we had any question, Anthony straighten his back very clearly said are you going to use the mask or IV? Well most of the times we will use the mask to make you more relaxed then start an IV. I do not want the mask just the IV Anthony stated to the doctor. If that is what you want then we will do just that.
Anthony is wheeled into the procedure room prep for an brain MRI during this time the Anesthesiologist talked and joked with Anthony as if he was his best friend.
I am not nervous about surgery mom, like I was at OHSU. Anthony said to me smiling as the doctor inserts the IV.
A hour went by; Dr.Wehby came out a told us his brain looks wonderful she sees no abnormal findings, though she was going to get one more cine' scan to look at his CSF flow. The first cine showed great flow through the brain yet concern for scar tissue build up.
Dale and I were walking with the staff to the surgery room all along Dr.Wehby At our side reassuring us of this type of procedure with its importance to our son's health. This is were I need to go, the family waiting room is up the hall to the left when I am done with Anthony's surgery I will come out and let you know how the surgery went.
I am not sure why I had felt so confident not worried about Anthony this time, I ask my husband if he had felt the same way he was just assure that our son was in good hands.
30 minutes into our wait the news came on live from Legacy Emanuel hospital where last night a cop was shot in the head by a fifteen year old boy he was in critical condition having one surgery last night going in for a second one today. In defense for his partner, the second cop shot at the teen hitting him into the stomach the teen is recovering at OHSU. I had just realized that the surgery waiting room had become very silent, as everyone is concern for the officer at Legacy Emanuel hospital intensive care unit.
An hour went by Dr.Wehby came in to say Anthony's surgery was over he did well, she showed us a photo of Anthony's filum stating it was four times its normal size; Dr.Wehby coagulated each side of the filum so there would be no bleeding then with one snip the spine is released our conversation last a bit longer then Dr.Wehby stated she would see us tonight during her final rounds.
Thoughts and prayers as Deputy Coates recovers at Emanuel Hospital
Anthony's Filum.
MRI Clinic
Pre Op waiting room, Anthony loves his new P.J.'s
Anthony surgery: Tethered cord syndrome.
It took Anthony about an hour before he was wakening up at that time he was asking for me. Those last few minutes in recovery I was with Anthony, I could not help notice how comforting his nurse was, even waving good by to him giving her best wishes for a great recovery.
I can not grasp the reality of every personal we came in contact with at legacy Emanuel hospital treated us as a whole with great respect for our sons' medical needs.
My son was transported to the short stay unit, myself I was nervous as I watch the orderlies get ready to transfer Anthony to his bed. Tense as each person grabbed the end of his blanket my mind was replaying the terrifying scream that had came from Anthony as the staff moved our son at Doernbecker children's hospital.
not a sound came out of Anthony's mouth this time the relief of knowing he suffered no pain reassured me once again this is not Doernbecker." Medical needs are meet here."
One of the first things Anthony notice when waking up in recovery his neck does not hurt any more. When Dr.Wehby came in that evening ask Anthony how he was doing, fine he stated then my husband told the doctor Anthony said his neck does not hurt anymore.
Dr.Wehby,s eyes widen an smile on her face she put up her hand to give Dale a high five, all right that is great news.
A few more minutes spent with us, I will be off tomorrow but my partner will be here in the morning he will release Anthony. If any complication should a rise he will no were to contact me I will be right in.
Dr.Wehby has spent more time with us today then Dr.Selden has in the two years we gave for the care of our son, Dale explained to me. I know; the thought of what my husband just said came with mix emotion. Relieved that we were given the opportunity to bring our child in the care of Dr.Wehby and the staff at Legacy Emanuel hospital, yet sadden Anthony did not receive the medical care at Doernbecker and Dr.Selden.
The more time we spend at Legacy Emanuel children's hospital, the angrier I get with the staff that cared for Anthony at OHSU Dale stated.
Late that evening Dale went back to the hotel room as I stayed with Anthony. I felt Anthony did great that evening no complaints of pain, the nurse came in about every 2 hours to check on Anthony at times she would ask if I was ok and needed anything.
I am just pleased she is so attentive to Anthony's needs yet cared for my needs too.
