Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Echo Today

They did another echo today. They're always checking periodically to see if there's any improvement in Bailey's own heart. There is slight improvement, but they don't know if it's enough to take her off the transplant list (and simply remove the Berlin Heart). They made it very clear not to get our hopes up, but it's an interesting thought, huh! It will be what it will be. (That's profound, isn't it?!)

Dr. T and Dr. Darragh were both in the room today during the echo and Dr. Darragh had to step out to answer a page. Dr. T took over the echo controls and tried to look in Bailey's ear with it. So they wrestled over the echo probe for a while . . . until Dr. Darragh came back in, then they straightened up. Dr. T must have got a little bored then, because he started watching the Drew Carrey show. Then Bailey started throwing pretzels at him and then the pretzel fight began, with Dr. Darragh threatening to put them both in timeout. Aimee (Dr. T's nurse practitioner) asked Bailey, "Haven't you always wanted an older brother, Bailey?" She replies with, "I did until I got here!"

We haven't been able to go over to Methodist because the elevator to the catwalk is broken. There is an escalator, but it would be a little difficult to get the machine on that!

Bailey was approached today to help make a book for residents to read entitled something like "How to Be a Doctor", pointing out do's and dont's from a kid's point of view (i.e., don't ask me if I miss my family; smile at me when you walk in the door; don't tell me it's not going to hurt; etc.). It's really a neat idea! She's trying to decide whether she wants to participate in it or not. I hope she does! She has lots of good insight having been here so long and having seen lots of residents pass through.

Just an FYI, the best pretzels in the world are Shultz's Salty Stix!! (Thanks, Bubba!)

Bailey had a new nurse today, Erin. The only nurse that she's had before that was scheduled to work today called in sick. I think both Bailey and Erin were a little nervous, but she was very nice and did a great job - even with her dressing change! She was talked through it by Jenny, our night nurse, during 7 a.m. report, but she still let Bailey tell her how to do it and what to do next. She's officially on Bailey's list of "approved nurses". Haha!

Thank you, Annette, for the bag of goodies! I'm so sorry we couldn't visit with you because of the echo. Bailey's been playing with the beads all evening and making really cute earrings! She's holding up in the window as I write this an American flag that she made out of beads dangling from a safety pin. She's so excited about it that she's hopping up and down on her bed waving for me to come see it.

Next week will be 5 months here. Dad asked us if we were trying to beat his record. Get this! He was here at Riley exactly 60 years ago (with polio) and he was 13 years old too. He told us today that his dad carried him in the hospital and he walked out of the hospital 8 months later. Incredible! Riley's been doing great things for a long time.

Have a great day everyone! I hear it's getting hot outside again. I think we'll stay in for a few days.

Passing out hugs to everyone,
Angie

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey!
Well thats good that she has so many things to do with Child life and all her other crafts, so its definetly good to keep busy so that the time goes by. And its fun to have all the nurses adn docter who are alot of fun! Dont worry your time is coming very soon, i can feel it!!!
love ya,
lindsay

8:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HI!!! I love keeping updated on you...I've been passing the word around KC...everyone is so curious about how you're doing..and all the others!!! thoughts and prayers coming your way every night!!

6:11 PM  

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