change of plans
I write this while cycling at the gym. A quick cardio session to prepare for North Cape 4000, all I can do to help baby J while in Wales. Sweat drips down my face, norrowly avoiding my phone screen as it falls to the floor. I consider my oxygen sats, a constant 98% and above while my nephews drops to 60 and rebounds with help from nasal O2. My pulse throbs through me, almost in time with the house music drumming in my headphones. I wonder what Baby Js pulse feels like. How his heart beats. How it will beat after the surgery.
The surgery was an unknown date in the future when I saw the family over Christmas. But a flurry of messages over WhatsApp tells me that’s changed.
It started on Saturday with an impromptu visit to the local hospital after Baby J vomitted a couple of times. Low sats and more sickness at the hospital raised the question of transfer to Great Orman Street in London. But a night at home was salvaged by a respectable arterial blood gas result!
Sunday started with an early morning echo and CT for Baby J. This meant looking at the heart while it pumped for baby J, and a 3D image compiled with X-rays. Throughout the day of appointments my sister-in-law peppers the chat with selfies and smiling photos of baby J. Her alien-print radiation shield and his rounded cheeks contrasted the clinical equipment surrounding them.
Baby Js consistently low sats earned him an admission, complete with a poorly fitting oxygen mask and his favourite nurse. Results from the days appointment showed his heart needed repairing.
This morning came, plus news of a potential for surgery next week accompanied by a photo of his hospital room door labelled “Joseph” with all his parameters of care. The Glenn procedure and repairing the aortic arch are on the to-do list for the surgeons.
This is excellent news! Accompanied by a photo of Baby J’s new room. Pastel green, not unlike his brothers jungle themed room back home. A fold down bed is tucked in the corner for mum. Better than the plastic chairs recently keeping my sister-in-law by baby Js side.
However plans change. The surgery is brought forward. Tomorrow, not next week. Consent forms are signed. News of another child being too sick for their op moves Baby J to first on the list. Anaesthetists chat. Preop bloods are drawn.
Outside the hospital, life continues. Family mobilise. Baby Js siblings need looking after, and dad is sick. Grandparents swoop in! Weekend plans are called off. Shepards pie is cooked. Love and prayers stream in from afar. We all wait to see what tomorrow brings.
