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Hi I’m Jen- I'm one lucky lady to be married to the most wonderful man, Jason. I am a mother to three beautiful children, Grant, Norah, who was born with hydrocephalus, and Mason. I love spending my time with my family. I also like to challenge myself with new things. I'm on a constant quest to become more organized, it may never happen but it's a dream. I currently work part-time as a RN in an emergency department. I love this journey of life that I am on with God by my side, knowing that all things are possible when you Believe.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Stairs



Friday night was going along like any other nice evening. We ate dinner together, then I was heading to work, just another Friday the 13th. Jason's parents had gone to the state fair that day so they were going to stop by and visit.

I made it to work when I received a phone call from Jason. He told me that he fell down about four stairs while carrying Norah. He thought that he was able to cradle her and didn't think that she hit anything, she was just scared and cried for awhile. She took a bottle and was now falling asleep in his arms. I told him to call me back if she vomited or if anything else concerning was going on. An hour later, the 2nd phone call. Norah was awake again and fussy. Jason also noticed a bump on the right side of Norah's head, the non-shunt side. He felt like it just didn't feel right. His parents were thankfully still at our house, so they could stay with Grant as Jason packed up Norah and was off to Children's ER. Thank goodness I have such understanding coworkers, I was able to hand off the patients and head off to meet Jason and Norah.

Norah was checked in seen by the resident in the ER who said, after not even touching Norah, well it's just a bump and usually we just send kids home and tell their parents to watch them. She was going to talk to her attending and he would be in. The attending doctor quickly palpated the bump while Norah fussed and squirmed away. He told us he was concerned about making sure he shunt was intact, he had seen crazy things where a bump somewhere else had caused the shunt to break away or crack. He didn't think a CT or MRI were necessary and thought a shunt series would be suffice. Xrays complete, shunt intact, we were sent home, told to watch her and return if there are any further problems. Should be the end right? I should feel better, right?

Well this is what Norah's bump looked like yesterday.



Norah has been rubbing her eyes often. She has been eating around 1/2 to 3/4  of what she normally eats since this happened. Her sleep has been broken up. Her bump has not improved at all. It feels like there is a step off on her skull, instead of being smooth. Norah has a bumpy, wonky head, but this doesn't feel right. The bump is squishy. It looks like there is a 1/2 of a tennis ball sticking off the side of her head. So Monday I called the Neurosurgeon's office, waited by the phone, no return phone call. This morning, I made an appointment with our pediatrician. The neurosurgery office just called back. I felt like they weren't listening to me. I shared all of my concerns. The PA that I talked to told me he looked at the xrays of her shunt, and that was fine, she has a MRI in a month. I should continue to watch it and she should be fine.

I continue to have concerns, why wouldn't they just take a few minutes to take a look at her.

Jason is off to the pediatrician now with Norah, maybe he'll take the time to examine her and give us the reassurance we are looking for....

4 comments:

Amy Cox Vincelli said...

I can't imagine your frustration with the doctors. It just doesn't make sense...

You are such a wonderful mother. Your children and husband are so blessed to have you in their lives and vice versa!

I'm thinking of you all and praying for Norah's health.

Anonymous said...

I hope all turns out well. I will be praying for Nora
- Elysia

Tiffany said...

Thinking of you guys....I completely understand the stress you are feeling and hope she is back to herself real soon so you won't worry. I freak out and check Shelby's shunt every time she vomits or cries in a different way. I imagine it would be worse if she had suffered some kind of fall. :(

Ashe's said...

After this week, I completely understand your frustrations with the doctors. I just hope that the pediatrician had eased your worries and is more reassuring then the hospital personnel. My heart goes out to you!