lucyanna girl
<font color=blue>My hair looks like Tigger spit ou
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
- Messages
- 3,202
My Sarah is recovering well from her emergency surgery in Orlando on April 10. The prayers and kind words from so many DISers during that frightening time meant so much to both of us. Many of you PMed names and telephone numbers with offers of help. We want to once again thank you.
This post is to let y'all know what we have found since she has been home but I will include a short version of her story for anyone who did not see the original post.
When we arrived at the hospital that midnight I was truly afraid my 14 year old daughter was having a heart attack. She was having trouble breathing and severe pain in her chest and shoulder. She was also extremely pale, not only her face and lips but even her tongue was white. Why I did not have the sense to call an ambulance is a mystery even to me. But I do know this, if you ever find yourself in need of medical attention while in Orlando the Regional Medical Center Sand Lake hospital is an outstanding facility. From the moment we entered the doors until we left we experienced a level of medical care and kindness that I have never encountered before.
After running various tests including cat scans on her chest and abdomen which showed free air and fluid in her abdomen and finding a blood level of 6.1 (having a blood level of 12 is on the low side of normal) a surgical team was called in to do emergency exploratory surgery. We also found out that her resting heart rate was 140 bpm (70 bpm is normal) so, basically she was half empty on blood and her heart was pumping as fast as it could to work with the blood that it had.
I have never felt so scared and alone in my life as I did when they took my Sarah into the operating room at 3 that morning. She was the brave one. I wish I had known some of those phone numbers then. When her wonderful doctor came out around 6 AM His words were, "This was an extremely unsatisfying surgery as far as finding out where she lost so much blood." They took her to the ICU when she left recovery and then to a room the next night. Here too, we were well looked after. Sarah could not have had better care and I have a pocket full of cards from various people who helped us get a room at The Perry Pavilion which is like a Ronald McDonald House at the hospital, offered to help rearrange our flight, offered help checking out of our hotel, and more. By the way, we were staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Hotel and when I left Sarah in ICU to check out early they refunded the balance of our stay even though I did not ask for it. The CM at the checkout asked if there was a problem and upon hearing why she excused herself for a minute and came back Cash in hand telling me I might need it. So kind.
Sarah spent the next few days at Sand Lake and my DH and BIL drove our GMC Explorer van down the day after her surgery to join us. I am always glad to see DH but never more than I was then. When she was well enough to travel we returned home. Thankfully, due to pain pills and motion sickness medication she slept most of the way home and traveled with a minimum of discomfort.
One more word about the hospital there, DH went to the business office when we left to check on the balance of the bill after insurance does it's part. He was told, "Go home and don't worry about this right now, we will send a bill." Since we have been home the office staff of one of the local doctors we consulted insisted that because she had not been there this calendar year they could not see her until Blue Cross oked it, a wait of 45 minutes. We always pay any balance after our co-pay immediately so that was not a factor. We will not be going there again. Quite a contrast, don't you think?
We have consulted two doctors here and they concur with what the surgeon told us the last time we saw him in Orlando. Her blood level was at 10.5 when we left there and since we have been here we have had it checked twice, once it was 12.5 and the next 12.4. This shows she is making blood on her own (Thank God, I cannot tell you what scary thought I had about that) and that it has not fallen again. They feel that a strong antibiotic she was taking when we left here combined with pain medication for a tooth ache and the Alive that our family dentist told me to give her caused a gastric bleed which then healed over because of the antibiotics. Some of you answered her posts about her mouth hurting the day before we left for Orlando. It turned out that a deep filing was pressing against the nerve in her upper molar. If he had only ex-ray ed it. We actually saw a dentist in Orlando the day before she ended up in the hospital who did and diagnosed the trouble but the damage had already been done. The dentist in Orlando mentioned seeing another small cavity. As I had asked our dentist if he saw anything else in her mouth that might be causing her trouble and his reply was "That's what we look for at a cleaning, Make an appointment for one when you get back." , you can see why we will be changing dentists immediately.
So we have been very blessed. Sarah in recovering. She has a seven inch incision but it is healing well. Today was her dance recital she has been practicing for all year but she sat in front and cheered her best friend on. (can you tell I'm proud of my kid?) I hope she will be back in school at least 1/2 day on Monday. That scares me a little - Jr. high hallways are brutal places when the bell rings and I'm scared someone will accidentally slam her in the tummy with an armload of textbooks. She also still tires easily so I think 1/2 days will be plenty for the first week. But she is getting stronger everyday. She and I hope to make a short trip in October for MNSSHP and make up for this trip. We will continue to monitor her blood level closely for the next year as no one can be positive about the gastric bleed. If there is any change I have the telephone numbers for a hematologist and a good gastrointologist. And I think I am driving her crazy asking if she feels OK. Last night I made a deal with her. If she puts her hand on her chest like she is feeling her heartbeat or if she groans out loud she has to explain. In return I will try not to ask her 20 times a day how she feels. I'm gonna try.
This post is to let y'all know what we have found since she has been home but I will include a short version of her story for anyone who did not see the original post.
When we arrived at the hospital that midnight I was truly afraid my 14 year old daughter was having a heart attack. She was having trouble breathing and severe pain in her chest and shoulder. She was also extremely pale, not only her face and lips but even her tongue was white. Why I did not have the sense to call an ambulance is a mystery even to me. But I do know this, if you ever find yourself in need of medical attention while in Orlando the Regional Medical Center Sand Lake hospital is an outstanding facility. From the moment we entered the doors until we left we experienced a level of medical care and kindness that I have never encountered before.
After running various tests including cat scans on her chest and abdomen which showed free air and fluid in her abdomen and finding a blood level of 6.1 (having a blood level of 12 is on the low side of normal) a surgical team was called in to do emergency exploratory surgery. We also found out that her resting heart rate was 140 bpm (70 bpm is normal) so, basically she was half empty on blood and her heart was pumping as fast as it could to work with the blood that it had.
I have never felt so scared and alone in my life as I did when they took my Sarah into the operating room at 3 that morning. She was the brave one. I wish I had known some of those phone numbers then. When her wonderful doctor came out around 6 AM His words were, "This was an extremely unsatisfying surgery as far as finding out where she lost so much blood." They took her to the ICU when she left recovery and then to a room the next night. Here too, we were well looked after. Sarah could not have had better care and I have a pocket full of cards from various people who helped us get a room at The Perry Pavilion which is like a Ronald McDonald House at the hospital, offered to help rearrange our flight, offered help checking out of our hotel, and more. By the way, we were staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Hotel and when I left Sarah in ICU to check out early they refunded the balance of our stay even though I did not ask for it. The CM at the checkout asked if there was a problem and upon hearing why she excused herself for a minute and came back Cash in hand telling me I might need it. So kind.
Sarah spent the next few days at Sand Lake and my DH and BIL drove our GMC Explorer van down the day after her surgery to join us. I am always glad to see DH but never more than I was then. When she was well enough to travel we returned home. Thankfully, due to pain pills and motion sickness medication she slept most of the way home and traveled with a minimum of discomfort.
One more word about the hospital there, DH went to the business office when we left to check on the balance of the bill after insurance does it's part. He was told, "Go home and don't worry about this right now, we will send a bill." Since we have been home the office staff of one of the local doctors we consulted insisted that because she had not been there this calendar year they could not see her until Blue Cross oked it, a wait of 45 minutes. We always pay any balance after our co-pay immediately so that was not a factor. We will not be going there again. Quite a contrast, don't you think?
We have consulted two doctors here and they concur with what the surgeon told us the last time we saw him in Orlando. Her blood level was at 10.5 when we left there and since we have been here we have had it checked twice, once it was 12.5 and the next 12.4. This shows she is making blood on her own (Thank God, I cannot tell you what scary thought I had about that) and that it has not fallen again. They feel that a strong antibiotic she was taking when we left here combined with pain medication for a tooth ache and the Alive that our family dentist told me to give her caused a gastric bleed which then healed over because of the antibiotics. Some of you answered her posts about her mouth hurting the day before we left for Orlando. It turned out that a deep filing was pressing against the nerve in her upper molar. If he had only ex-ray ed it. We actually saw a dentist in Orlando the day before she ended up in the hospital who did and diagnosed the trouble but the damage had already been done. The dentist in Orlando mentioned seeing another small cavity. As I had asked our dentist if he saw anything else in her mouth that might be causing her trouble and his reply was "That's what we look for at a cleaning, Make an appointment for one when you get back." , you can see why we will be changing dentists immediately.
So we have been very blessed. Sarah in recovering. She has a seven inch incision but it is healing well. Today was her dance recital she has been practicing for all year but she sat in front and cheered her best friend on. (can you tell I'm proud of my kid?) I hope she will be back in school at least 1/2 day on Monday. That scares me a little - Jr. high hallways are brutal places when the bell rings and I'm scared someone will accidentally slam her in the tummy with an armload of textbooks. She also still tires easily so I think 1/2 days will be plenty for the first week. But she is getting stronger everyday. She and I hope to make a short trip in October for MNSSHP and make up for this trip. We will continue to monitor her blood level closely for the next year as no one can be positive about the gastric bleed. If there is any change I have the telephone numbers for a hematologist and a good gastrointologist. And I think I am driving her crazy asking if she feels OK. Last night I made a deal with her. If she puts her hand on her chest like she is feeling her heartbeat or if she groans out loud she has to explain. In return I will try not to ask her 20 times a day how she feels. I'm gonna try.
I now have all my staples out so, I'm much more comfortable 
Your prayers are what have gotten me through this.
I'll ask my teachers and see if they'll let me and someone go to lockers and stuff before the bell (I can't lift anything at all for a few weeks so, I'd need help with books.) 
Best of Luck, Prayers and Pixie Dust...........Faith. 
