Wednesday, January 27, 2010

X marks the spot.

Yesterday was our pre-op appointment. We met with someone from anesthesia and signed our lives away before meeting with a child-life specialist who told us too many details about the number of tubes that will be coming out of Eve when she wakes up in the ICU. We were given a phone number to call today after 4 p.m. to find out what time to be at the hospital tomorrow. (I just got off the phone with them and turns out we'll need to be there at 6 a.m., bright and early. Well, maybe not so bright.)

After Eve's labs were drawn, we headed off to find radiation-oncology. When I spoke with the doctor who set up our appointment, he asked if I knew where the clinics were. Well, sure! We have been to them at least once a week for the past three months! Good. Radiation-oncology is in the basement beneath the clinics. It will be easy to find because we are the only ones down there. Awesome, no problem.

Except when we went to the basement, it looked like a place a serial killer might tie up his victims before going to ritualistically sacrifice a goat. This was not the place.

Well, there are other elevators that go to different places. Let's try those.

Nooo. Nothing down here screams high-intensity radiation. Back upstairs to ask someone.

Matt found a woman at the volunteer desk who handed him a piece of paper with cryptic instructions like, "Go to the end of the wall" and "Go through an open doorway." Included with the piece of paper was a map of the hospital. Matt thought the map was curious in that he couldn't figure out how to read it. Nothing seemed to make sense. Not that we come from long lines of cartographers, but we are able to navigate our way through the State Fair, so a hospital map should not be an issue. But still, we wandered around like a bunch of 11-year-old pirates trying to figure out where the buried treasure is.

Ohhhh...this map is for Duke Hospital SOUTH! We were in the wrong hospital following the wrong directions.

For some reason, I decided to wear tennis shoes yesterday. And I'm so glad I did. Because we very well could have been walking from terminal to terminal at an airport. (Although Matt was quick to point out that airports are actually clearly labeled.) We blindly followed a walkway that connected the hospitals, hoping there would be some better signage once we got inside. 25 minutes later, we arrived at the Clinics (for big people).

We met with radiation-oncology, but I won't subject you to the details until we know if Eve will need to have it. It doesn't sound pretty.

So here we are, a little more than 12 hours before we go back to the hospital. Poor Eve doesn't know what's in store for her tomorrow. Who needs an extra kidney, anyway?

16 comments:

  1. i am praying for a better than text book surgery and the days to follow in recovery for you to be amazed at eve's progress. i wait to hear great things.

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  2. Yay for a morning surgery time, hopefully she will be sedated before "Downstairs Eve" has a chance to show up!! We will be praying for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery, as well as strength and courage for your entire family during this difficult time.

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  3. Hey there. I'm a TMer and just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking of you and your family, tomorrow especially.

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  4. Having 2 kidneys is way overrated. My husband and I will be thinking of her tomorrow, she sounds like she's in great hands and we can't wait to hear how beautifully she sailed through surgery like she has with so much of this ordeal thus far.

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  5. I am sending Eve, you, and your family so many good wishes and positive thoughts for tomorrow...I follow your blog after being on the Oct. '07 board on Babycenter. Eve is quite amazing, and as are you, for hanging in there through all of this. My DD's best little friend is 2 1/2 now and was diagnosed with leukemia at about 14 months, so your story really hits home (she is in remission now and continues to receive chemo).

    Like I said, I wish you and yours all the best, and a very, very positive outcome to all you are going through.

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  6. I'm thinking of you guys and will keep you all in my thoughts tomorrow. I hope that everything goes fast, smooth, and perfect! Hugs, Mama!

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  7. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers. You have an amazing little girl on your hands. What a trooper.

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  8. Thinking of you and the whole family, and most especially Eve. Praying that all goes smoothly tomorrow. {Hugs} to all of you.

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  9. Christy - we have so many people praying for Eve and your entire family. We pray that surgery and recovery go smoothly and for you all to have strength and to keep up that positive outlook that amazes me each day!

    Love you all!

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  10. Keeping you guys in our prayers... haven't had time to do personal messages... but I'm reading and keeping up with your blog. You've got an amazing little lady on your hands!! Thanks for keeping us posted. Praying for a smooth surgery with the best outcome! :-) Lots of Luv!

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  11. Reading this Thursday moring, around the time she would probably actually be headed back to the OR (If I know how the timetables at Duke Surgery work). Saying a prayer for Eve, for you and for Matt.
    Hope today goes well. I hope and pray Eve does not need the radiation so that you can put this chapter of your lives behind you.

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  12. Praying for Eve this morning (and for you and Matt)! I'm living proof that you only need one kidney.

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  13. We are thinking of you all and praying for a quick, routine surgury and speedy recovery for little Eve.

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  14. Hi Christy,

    The bit about the ambiguous directions at the hospital made me laugh. In fact, I have a meeting over at Duke North today and these are the directions I received:

    "If your going in throught the front of Duke North you walk towards the elevators a little past the gift shop take the first right and go down the hall. When the hall comes to an end you will see glass doors on your right- take the wooden doors on the left. Walk down the hall to the elevators on the right. Take elevator to the 4th floor and go through the glass door. Take a left and go all the way down."

    Sound familiar? Haha.

    Thinking about you guys today!!

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  15. I am thinking of your family today, and I pray that all goes well.

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