Summers End, Implant Beginnings

Summers End

What a whirlwind our summer vacation has been. Every-one has marvelled at our wonderful girl!

We never could have imagined the changes that have taken place in Isobel. When we look back to the previous summer they are so many, we couldn't count them all.

One of Isobel's favourite things from the summer was playing hairdressers with Nana, she would ask every day - 'first dinner, then shower, then hair?'

She has played nicely with her cousins, and strangers at farm parks and playgrounds. We have all had a fabulous time.

It still makes us smile to think back on all the wonderful things that different people have said about her over the past five weeks.

 

Implant Beginnings

Today however, has not been so much fun.

Today, Isobel had her pre-surgery tests which just seemed to take forever. It seemed that the whole of Seoul was at the hospital today, and they were all having the same test that Isobel was having at the exact same time that she was having it.

The day started with no breakfast, she had to fast for 8 hours. Upon arrival at the international clinic, we were asked to produce a 'sample'. Well that was eventful! Due to 'nil by mouth' for the last 8 hours, Isobel promptly announced to me, 'No Mama, I can't,  there's no pee-pee'.

We then took matters into hand and sneakily gave her some water.

As we waited for the water to filter down, it was time to take blood. I do believe that some of the people in the waiting area thought that a young child was being murdered in the treatment room. It's a good job that no other children were waiting for any treatments because they would have gone running for the hills.

Surprisingly, after the needle was in, she wriggled her head round to see what was going on and was quite mesmerised watching her blood drip into the tube. Of course it wasn't much fun when the nurse decided the blood wasn't flowing fast enough and needed to try a different vein. Cue loud screaming!

Next was to try for the sample again - 'No Mama, still no pee-pee!'

OK, onward for the MRI. This test was to make sure that Isobel has a cochlea nerve. Without one a cochlear implant is useless. In order for Isobel to remain still while having the MRI she needed to be sedated. This meant inserting an IV. Yes, indeed more screaming. IV secured, we now waited to go in for the MRI.This is of course the exact time that the water decided to make itself known! Typical, Isobel is all attached to the IV and now she needs to go!

So, off the bathroom we go, trundling the saline drip with us. Fun and games commenced, suffice to say a 'sample' was collected - hurrah!

Sedation time arrived and we notice that Isobel's arm had become swollen. It seemed that during the 'sample gathering' the needle had become dislodged and the saline had caused the swelling. It was back to the nurse to have it removed and a new one replaced in the other arm! Our brave little girl now had 4 punctures in her arms, screamed every-time, but came back smiling when it was over.

Determined for it not to happen again, Isobel set about walking around with a very straight arm. We had 2 more bathroom visits, (too much water!) more waiting (we missed our turn due to the swelling) and then we were finally in. The anasthesiologist gave her a syringe full of white liquid that created instant sleep, before we new it she was in the MRI being scanned.

After half an hour it was complete, she came around quickly and was alert and resposive. Ready for the final test - an Xray. Nothing unusual to report here, quick and effecient and Isobel was a star. Once I had convinced her that this was a 'No owie' test.

The whole exprience was rounded off in the only way that 4 hours of tests and waiting could - with ice-cream.

Think we'll need a freezer full for next week...