Further testing

We took Zoe to Omaha Childrens hospital today for some further testing on the "epsiodes" she's been having. She was scheduled for an MRI and an EEG.

She had to be starved from midnight, so it was difficult in the night when she woke, crying for milk. But Daddy gave her some hugging and she settled back down. We fed the girls in secret this morning while Zoe bathed so she wouldn't have to see it.

When we got to the hospital, Zoe was as happy and chirpy as ever. She was smiling at the nurses and being cute, although she was hungry and kept doing the baby sign for milk. The nurses took her vitals and Zoe cooperated well. She liked watching the bubbles they were blowing. They stuck some lotion and sticky stuff on her hands and then we were allowed to play in the toy room for a while, which Zoe loved very much. The nurses took a real liking to Zoe and kept saying she was such a good patient!

Then it was time to go back to the room and give her the medicine that would put her to sleep. The nurses warned us that she would taste it then hate it and they'd have to hold her down and sort of force feed the rest to her. They said it tastes horrible and kids hate being fed it. They told us to expect it to get loud and disturbing but they assured us its fine and she's not in pain, she just doesn't like the taste.

They were standing each side of her, getting ready to restrain her, but Zoe took one sip of that stuff and was just so starving she started sucking on the syringe for dear life. The nurses were amazed and said that never happens! Poor baby guzzled the stuff.

They then had to stick in the IV, which was not fun at all. I shall not go into details, I'm sure you can imagine the scene.

Afterwards they left the room, with soft music playing and a little birdie light show thing. I was able to hold Zoe and rock her to sleep. It was peaceful and not scary, and I was happy with that. She fell asleep very quickly.

The nurses came back in, gave us a pager then wheeled Zoe away for the MRI. I held it together until they were out of sight then I excused myself to the bathroom and had a total mommy hormonal meltdown moment.

After regaining composure Rene and I went to the coffee shop together for a snack and drink. It felt so strange, just being the two of us (Kaya and Lana were being babysat by some friends). It didn't feel right, I definitely prefer having my hands full of kids, even if it annoys me at times.

Then it was time to return to our room, and they brought Zoe back. It was so sad to see the little girl who had previously been fine, healthy, walking around the toy room, playing and laughing and pushing a stroller around, now lying completely still, things poked in her, bandages on her, and a towel covering over her face (they did it because she had started waking up). She was just this tiny little lump of a body under blankets and bandages. I just felt bad for putting her through all these tests :(

Then it was down to the EEG. They stuck 25 wires on her head, it looked strange. Then a big bandage over it all. She continued to sleep through it. For the last few minutes they wanted some waking readings so they woke her. Poor baby was sooo tired and out of it. She couldn't hold her own head up, or her wee body. She was trying to talk though and managed a smile.

Then she was done! I was allowed to nurse her again and she got her IV out and started waking up more and looking like our wee Zoe again. And I felt such weight lifted. We don't get the results until Monday, but I'm confident that even if something shows, God will take care of us and we'll all be ok. I'm just so glad those tests are overwith. I've been walking around feeling such dread about them. It's done now. I'm happy.

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