Neurosurgery Check Up

Jack had his yearly check up with his neurosurgeon yesterday.  I braved it on my own with both kids...I packed a bag full of snacks, toys, drinks, and diapers and we left around 9:00 am.  

Jack was instantly in a bad mood when we got to the waiting room.  Morgan ran around and made lots of friends while I tried to chase her and keep Jack calm.  It just wasn't happening.  He nearly busted out of his wheelchair a few times -- when he's mad he's soooo strong!  Luckily our wait wasn't too insanely long!

It's always nice to see this doctor -- he's the only dr. left on Jack's team that has been with us since Jack's birth.  I explained the situation and how Jack has really emotional days filled with crying, head banging, and screaming but then can go several days and have none of those things happen.  It concerned him enough to think it could be shunt related to send us for a CT scan that same day.

We got the orders and went downstairs to the imaging center...and waited...and waited...and WAITED.  It was horrible.  I thought of calling Jason and begging him to come over and help....but I didn't want to do that to him and of course the minute he'd get there would be the minute they'd call us back.  There was something with a form or paperwork -- they were working on getting it straightened out.  I though about leaving but knew we couldn't.  An angel of a woman (I didn't even learn her name) befriended Morgan and played with her so I could try to calm Jack.  It wasn't happening.  I thought so many times "I can't do this!!" but of course there's no choice!  Since the room was closing in on us, I took the kids out to the hall way.  Morgan had a blast running up and down the hall and Jack was playing some kind of game with the vending machine!  It's something I really don't want to repeat for a very, very long time.

Several hours later it was Jack's turn.  I could not go in with him because they do not allow children in the CT scanning area.  The brave boy did so well.  I am so proud of him!  He held still and listened as the machine did its scanning.  It took just a few minutes and we were finally SPRUNG!

Both kids fell asleep on the ride home and I was just trying to shake the stress.  I stopped once because I though Jack was starting some seizure activity -- but he was only sleeping.  We got home around 4:00 pm and the Jack napped while Morgan played and watched the Backyardigans.  It's no wonder she wanted to relax -- I think she ran several miles yesterday!  lol!

So I called this morning for the results of the CT scan and the dr. said his ventricles look great and even a little smaller than the last scan.  So it's good news!  He said if we can't figure out what's going on with Jack we should call him and he'll get us in for another scan during one of the episodes...he really doesn't think it's shunt related though.

Jack was excited to go to school this morning and we had to rush, rush, rush because we overslept!  We managed to catch the bus just in time!

So Morgan and I are taking it easy today and tackling the mounds and mounds and MOUNDS of dirty laundry.  How do 4 people dirty THAT many clothes???  I will never know...