CT & Shunt Series - Getting a baseline

On March 11 we went to Rady's for Olivia's first CT and shunt series (X-rays).  Dr. Meltzer wanted to get a baseline in order to watch her shunt progress and have data to compare.  In the future he will use the CT scan and X-rays to check Olivia's shunt status, head circumference (to ensure the shunt is draining properly), shunt entry into her skull, and other aspects of Olivia's growth with a shunt.

We planned on completing X-rays at 10am and then we had an appointment with anesthesia at 11am followed by the CT at 12:30.  The night before both Russell and I did not get much sleep.  We were both extremely worried about having baby girl under general anesthesia but knew that it was a normal part of the CT process for babies.  

When we arrived they took us back to X-ray pretty quickly.  Thank goodness Grandma was there as one of us had to hold her head still (she was not a fan of this!) and the other had to hold her legs down.  The tech put sand bags on her arms to hold them down and actually Olivia did not mind that so much.  So picture a small, naked baby, on an X-ray table with two padded pillows being held to either side of her head, sand bags over her arms and her Mom holding down her legs and trying to tell her everything would be over soon.  She was shockingly calm for more than half of the X-rays.  Still not the easiest start to the day but it went fairly quickly.  And she was allowed to keep her wooby (pacifier with stuffed animal attached - see picture) so all hell did not break loose.

Then we went back to the Radiology waiting room to wait for a tech to take us to anesthesia.  When a tech came into the room and called "Olivia" my stomach was in knots.  It was much earlier than our appointment but I did not realize that at the moment.

She then said something that was SO exciting; "We are going to try the CT without anesthesia".  WHAT?!  So we may be able to get through this day without anesthesia?!  LET'S DO THIS!

I put on a lead vest and stepped in the CT room to see if we could get this accomplished.  Livie had to cooperate though, without sedation…….

I stood above Olivia and helped her continually find her wooby to self-sooth and also had a little spinning light up toy I would turn on to hold her attention.  We went in and out of crying - a lot! - so I never thought we would get the pictures needed.

About 4 minutes later the tech, Lori, came in and said "We got it!"  Wait, really?  There was no way - she never continuously stopped crying long enough.  Were the shots good enough, really?  Lori said yes!  WOO HOO!!  She took multiple shots and pieced them together to give the full picture Dr. Meltzer needed. AMAZING!!!!  So 1 hour after we walked in Olivia walked back out of Rady's - 6 hours early!!!!!

I was so proud of her and Russell was in shock when I called him to say "No need to come to Rady's.  Olivia's CT is done."  Haha.  Best news ever and so thankful.  

Thank you to Lori and Inez at Rady's for being super patient, creative and willing to give our CT a try without anesthesia.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Be Happy.  Laugh.  Enjoy Chaos.