They say the the most dangerous animal in the wild is a mother protecting her child...
First thing his CT scan was good, they cleared Andrew of any spinal problems. He is now able to have his bed in a better sitting position. They took Andrew in for another surgery yesterday. They had to get rid of bad tissue. It is important that they have good tissue to work with in order to put things back together. They brought him back from surgery and first thing we notice, he is missing his hair. We have been so careful about keeping it cleaned and brushed. No, they didn't ask permission. He doesn't have a head wound???? There must be a wild barber on the loose. Then we had a caregiver for the last two days that we weren't thrilled about. Andrew must not have been impressed either...he bite him. Then we had a shift change. Before we left to eat, everthing was fine. We came back and I could tell things weren't good. His temperature was high. That's when instinct kicked in. I asked why we hadn't been contacted. The resident doctor said that they couldn't tell us "every time" something came up. So I let him know that it was our right as parents to know what was up and that they had darn well keep us informed. I called the charge nurse at home, she was in our Germany ward. She let us know that things were ok and that she would shape things up. Then we had a meeting with the charge nurse on duty and let her know how displeased we were. When we checked him again he was much better. Measures had been taken for his benefit. What is the saying, when mom isn't happy...no one is happy!
Michelle, I love you!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I can't believe they cut his hair! What's up with that? Mama Bear, I'm right there growling along with you! I think the majority of Meredith's caregivers have been wonderful - actually outstanding...but there were the few that rubbed us and Meredith wrong. Those who misread her chart and blew her up like a balloon pushing too many fluids. The most heartwrentching though was a shift change in the morning a couple of days after her open- "let's totally rebuild her heart" surgery. A nurse came on that shared my name so I commented on that - she ignored me - you know how it is, trying to get a feel for them/check them out. Meredith had just opened her eyes for the first time since I had to place her in the anthesiologist's arms and she was very scared and I stood by her bedside holding her, talking to her, comforting her. I asked this new nurse if I could stay for a little bit, that my baby girl was opening her eyes for the first time since her marathon surgery a few days earlier. I was told flat out, in a very hateful tone, "No, you can't." Tears began streaming down my face as I tried to comprehend how on earth someone could be so cruel - it had NEVER been a problem before in the PICU for me to stay a short time into the shift change. All I could do was stand there in shock and tears trying to comfort Meredith while the nurse was driving me out of her room. You can bet that once I was back in the PICU I did not once leave Meredith's side until the next shift change and that nurse did not say a single word to me the entire time. I watched her like a hawk when she came in the room to care for my sweet baby. I nearly cry thinking about that situation - I was at the hospital alone, Chip was with the other kids, and I didn't have the energy to stand up for myself between being exhausted and puking pregnant.
ReplyDeleteGood for you guys meeting with the charge nurse and using those connections! And yea for Andrew, biting his caretaker!! I visited with Amanda last night outside and she told me Andrew had bit his nurse - I chuckled. She was very excited about her new boots that Ashley had bought her and I saw her go into the school this morning and she was looking way cute. My sweetie pie Meredith sure loves Amanda and plays with her at recess and Amanda is just great about it - letting a kindergartener play with her:))
I love you guys and hang in there. I think about you constantly and keep a constant prayer in my heart for Andrew!
Stephanie Shaner
Why on earth would they cut his hair??? That is so wrong. I'm glad he bit the nurse LOL. He is so strong. We are glad to hear there is no spinal problems. We continue to pray for him and for the rest of your family as well. Love you guys
ReplyDeleteRachael
We understand how life can change so quickly in just seconds, minutes, hours. And then the world you knew comes to a complete stop. Your family is in our prayers every day. Please know that we send our love your way.
ReplyDeleteEd and Cyndy Hansen
Hi Brother & Sister Spilker and Family,
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family during this very challenging time.
Your vigilance can be, will be, the difference between life and death for Andrew. Being there by Andrew's side 24/7, watching and politely questioning the staff's every move and action can prevent disaster. Nicely asking them "why", “how come”, "why are we giving that to Andrew today?", "what is that for?", "how come he needs this?" "Who ordered this to be given?" can help prevent the administration of wrong medicines, can help prevent accidentally being given a drug that was ordered for the child in the bed next store, etc. Your vigilance and having a family member always there can make or break Andrew's situation.
The hospital staff, as well meaning as they generally are, are still human and make errors and your kind and gentle questions can wake a tired staff member into consciousness and help them recognize an error before it is committed or has gone too far.
Your family and Andrew specifically are in nearly every prayer raised in the Spotz home. Our thoughts and concerns are with you constantly. We are so sorry that this has happened to you. We are all grateful for the miracles that continue to happen in your behalf. I would have been up there, but have been ill myself for the last week and a half and thought better not to expose Andrew to any more burden on his system.
Keep up the good fight. Having been in and around the pharmaceutical and medical industry for 20 years I would be happy to try to help answer any questions about his care that you might have, especially in the realm of antibiotics and treatment of infection. You have top notch stellar people working with Andrew, but one more set of eyes and a different knowledge base can be a make or break difference in someone's care.
Keep asking questions about treatment, keep educating yourself about "why" they are doing what they are doing for Andrew and remember that more than ever you are Andrew's, eyes and ears, you are his guardians, parents, and family and you have a right to protect your son and brother who right now cannot do any of that for himself.
God bless you in your fight for his life!
We ask the Lord's blessing be upon you and if we can be of any help or assistance please let us know.
We love you guys.
Sincerely,
The Spotz Family
Michelle, you go Mama bear!!! You're so right to insist on the right to be with him and question anything you want!
ReplyDeleteKaren Julian