Slept in. Read scriptures with our nieces and nephews before school. Worked. Ran errands. Played with Davey. And then headed to the hospital.
Appt.1--Casey Hedges. Social worker. She was wonderful. Her main role was to assess how informed and on the ball we are in our personal lives. She asked about our work, family support, who was and will be taking care of our kids. We've met with several social workers through the years with Davey and didn't feel like it was much benefit. But Casey was the exception. She is going to fill out all the paperwork for Matt just in case we need to take FMLA--Family Medical Leave Act. She reviewed where we should park. And reassured us that the team there wants to support us in every way. It goes beyond medical care. She asked what religion we are. I responded, "Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." She told us that clergy/priests were available anytime. I explained that I was lucky to be married to my Bishop and got to bring my "pastor" with me.
Appt. 2--Dr. Larson and Dr. Geizentanner. Anesthesiologists. Yuck! My fear of blood, needles, hospital, epidurals, catheters, IVs was all summed up in this hour long meeting. I just kept thinking, "Is this really going to happen to me?" They mainly talked about the risks to me and the baby. There are many things that can happen in surgery that they cannot predict. They have a team of three anesthesiologists in the room. They have combinations of several medications ready for any scenario. They have done "dry runs" where they practice the surgery. This will be their third time to do this surgery as a team. Not very many. In the course of our discussion, he wanted to know our wishes if things aren't going well. We talked through scenarios of what will happen if things to bad for me or the baby. All the doctors have made it clear that I am their top priority, and if I'm not responding well to the surgery, then they will stop. Even if it's at risk to the baby. They were very sympathetic, kind and compassionate to our decision. He reassured us that they are doing everything they can to take care of me and the baby. Dr. Geizentanner said that the last fetal surgery she participated in she felt like she needed to take her shoes off because it was awe inspiring. She was on sacred ground. Something like that.
Appt. 3--Dr. Patrick Jones. Neonatologist. His role is to talk with us about the possibility of the baby being delivered during surgery. His question to us was, "If she needs to be delivered, what do you want to have happen?" Basically, would we try to save her or let her die? Choke. Talking about this was very difficult. Matt and I explained to him our beliefs and faith. We let him know that we wanted to do all we could to save our 23 week old baby girl. Yes, we want her to be taken to the NICU. Then we'll take it from there and decide what's best. I think we would feel immense guilt if something like this were to happen. This surgery is not mandatory. She will have a wonderful life with our without it. We just keep reminding ourselves that we have felt the confirmation that this is right, and it's in Lord's hands. So in the room next to surgery, they will have a NICU staff on standby. The incubator, breathing tube and everything else will be ready to go. Just in case. My thoughts, "What if I wake up and I'm told that they had to deliver her." Then Dr. Jones gave us a tour of the NICU. Amazing facility. Hope we never have to see it again.
The team had a meeting at 4:00. As we walked back to the parking garage, we passed doctors and nurses headed to the meeting. Their goal and purpose is to bring about a successful surgery. Pray that they will be led and guided.
Appt.1--Casey Hedges. Social worker. She was wonderful. Her main role was to assess how informed and on the ball we are in our personal lives. She asked about our work, family support, who was and will be taking care of our kids. We've met with several social workers through the years with Davey and didn't feel like it was much benefit. But Casey was the exception. She is going to fill out all the paperwork for Matt just in case we need to take FMLA--Family Medical Leave Act. She reviewed where we should park. And reassured us that the team there wants to support us in every way. It goes beyond medical care. She asked what religion we are. I responded, "Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." She told us that clergy/priests were available anytime. I explained that I was lucky to be married to my Bishop and got to bring my "pastor" with me.
Appt. 2--Dr. Larson and Dr. Geizentanner. Anesthesiologists. Yuck! My fear of blood, needles, hospital, epidurals, catheters, IVs was all summed up in this hour long meeting. I just kept thinking, "Is this really going to happen to me?" They mainly talked about the risks to me and the baby. There are many things that can happen in surgery that they cannot predict. They have a team of three anesthesiologists in the room. They have combinations of several medications ready for any scenario. They have done "dry runs" where they practice the surgery. This will be their third time to do this surgery as a team. Not very many. In the course of our discussion, he wanted to know our wishes if things aren't going well. We talked through scenarios of what will happen if things to bad for me or the baby. All the doctors have made it clear that I am their top priority, and if I'm not responding well to the surgery, then they will stop. Even if it's at risk to the baby. They were very sympathetic, kind and compassionate to our decision. He reassured us that they are doing everything they can to take care of me and the baby. Dr. Geizentanner said that the last fetal surgery she participated in she felt like she needed to take her shoes off because it was awe inspiring. She was on sacred ground. Something like that.
Appt. 3--Dr. Patrick Jones. Neonatologist. His role is to talk with us about the possibility of the baby being delivered during surgery. His question to us was, "If she needs to be delivered, what do you want to have happen?" Basically, would we try to save her or let her die? Choke. Talking about this was very difficult. Matt and I explained to him our beliefs and faith. We let him know that we wanted to do all we could to save our 23 week old baby girl. Yes, we want her to be taken to the NICU. Then we'll take it from there and decide what's best. I think we would feel immense guilt if something like this were to happen. This surgery is not mandatory. She will have a wonderful life with our without it. We just keep reminding ourselves that we have felt the confirmation that this is right, and it's in Lord's hands. So in the room next to surgery, they will have a NICU staff on standby. The incubator, breathing tube and everything else will be ready to go. Just in case. My thoughts, "What if I wake up and I'm told that they had to deliver her." Then Dr. Jones gave us a tour of the NICU. Amazing facility. Hope we never have to see it again.
The team had a meeting at 4:00. As we walked back to the parking garage, we passed doctors and nurses headed to the meeting. Their goal and purpose is to bring about a successful surgery. Pray that they will be led and guided.
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