Copied from my baby journal.
We left home at 6:15am (already running late) and had to be at the hospital no later than 8am. Well, wouldn't you know it...friggen accident on the motorway, so we were at a standstill just outside of Brisbane. I was doing ok til then. I totally lost it. We called ahead and the girl at the Radiology seemed really rude, which made things worse We got there at 8:20am and Loj dropped us out the front and went to park the car. I ran inside, went to 8th floor like the letter said, got out the lift and it wasn't where I was supposed to be. I just burst into tears and had people coming to help me. Apparently the CHILDREN'S part of the private hospital was in the PUBLIC hospital, but on the 5th and 8th floor. So a nice man walked me down the lift, through a carpark, down a different lift and pointed out the children's hospital.
I KNEW where the public children's hospital was...just didn't know the private would be in there and not at the private hospital across the road. Flew up the lift there and found Pam waiting for me. We then went down to daY admissions on the 5th floor. I was given a wonderful nurse Beth to look after us. Loj caught up to us there. THEN....we walked all the way back to the private hospital to radiology. We sat there for about 50 mins. A little boy went in before us - he was about 8 I guess... We sat and took pics and heard his MRI going.
THe little boy that went in before him came out around 9:50am. They carried him out and he was all limp. I almost lost it again. Then the anethestist came and talked to me and told me that I didn't have to go in. I said there was no way he was going in without me. I carried him to the MRI room and almost freaked when I saw the big machine Then we put TJ on the bed and they put the gas mask over him. I looked at the nurses and said "You will look after my baby won't you!" He was crying a little and fighting the mask on his face. Then he went all limp They took the mask off him and told me to give him a kiss and leave. I looked at his little face and he looked like a little cherub! I kissed him, then they kicked me out of the room and I burst into tears That was 10am.We were told to go wait in the coffee shop around the corner from the radiology unit and they would get us when he was out.
At 10:30am I said they must be ready, so I took the lead and Loj and Pam followed. We went there and they said he was still in, so to wait in the radiology waiting room. I was sitting there talking with Pam and then I heard a distant crying and said it must be TJ. Both Pam and Loj said we wouldn't hear him from there. But I got up and started heading down anyway. We were met halfway by the nurse saying it was TJ wanting his mummy!I got to hold him while he was coming out of the anesthetic, but he was crying- he NEVER cries. The dr and nurses said it was the general, not TJ. I sang to him and that calmed him. Then he woke properly for a minute and went back to sleep!
When his signs were all ok, Loj and Pam walked back across to the children's hospital, but the 2 nurses, TJ and I went in the ambulance!! The little doll slept the whole way there.THen I carried him up to the day ward and we were ushered over to a big recliner for me to snuggle with him while he slept. When he woke he was wide awake and all smiles. He had a full bottle and an entire jar of baby food .
We got the scans and the report (which had a huge sticker across the back saying only to be opened by referring dr.) I photocopied it and mum will be asking a dr tomorrow at work. THe summary is as follows (good luck understanding it)The findings are consistent with periventricular leukomalcia related to antenal ischaemia with an associated area of old haemorrhagic infraction in the prosterior aspect of the right frontal lobe. No acute pathology.
Now...I googled periventricular leukomalcia and got this info:What is periventricular leukomalacia (PVL)?Periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) is damage and softening of the white matter, the inner part of the brain that transmits information between the nerve cells and the spinal cord as well as from one part of the brain to another.
"periventricular" means around or near the ventricles, the spaces in the brain containing the cerebrospinal fluid"leuko" means white
"malacia" means softeningWhy is periventricular leukomalacia a concern?With PVL, the area of damaged brain tissue can affect the nerve cells that control motor movements. As the baby grows, the damaged nerve cells cause the muscles to become spastic, or tight, and resistant to movement. Babies with PVL have a higher risk of developing cerebral palsy (a group of disorders that prevent the child from controlling their muscles normally), and may have intellectual or learning difficulties.PVL may occur alone or in addition to intraventricular hemorrhage (bleeding inside the brain).What causes periventricular leukomalacia?It is not clear why PVL occurs. This area of the brain is very susceptible to injury, especially in premature babies, whose brain tissues are fragile. PVL may happen when the brain receives too little oxygen. However, it is not clear when the trigger for PVL occurs - before, during, or after birth. Most babies who develop PVL are premature, especially those born before 30 weeks gestation. Other factors that may be associated with PVL include early rupture of membranes (amniotic sac) and infection inside the uterus.What are the symptoms of periventricular leukomalacia?PVL may not be apparent until later months. Each baby may experience symptoms differently. The most common symptom of PVL is spastic diplegia, tight, contracted muscles, especially in the legs. Symptoms of PVL may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your baby's physician for a diagnosis.
Mum said that it says that it was damaged BEFORE birth-possibly with the knot in the cord?? but that link pretty much says that the cerebal palsy is an accurate diagnosis....especially the spasticity part (tensing of the muscles). I think the best thing that the SUMMARY said in the findings of the report was the "No Acute Pathology"
