E.R. at Valley View Medical Center

The first picture was taken the night Jack and I arrived at the E.R. in Cedar City, the second picture was taken the day after he was born. You can see the significant difference in his appearance and color!

We arrived at the E.R. at Valley View Medical Center October 17th. Once admitted, the nurse came in to do his evaluation and told us that before working in the E.R. he had been working at the NICU in St. George. Obviously, with NICU experience, we expected extra special care and knowledge on Jack's behalf. The nurse took one look at Jack and told us that his "appearance" did not show any signs of dehydration, but that he would follow protocol and check his urine, blood, etc. They drew some urine and told us that his urine was cloudy, showing that he "possibly" was dehydrated and that he "probably" had a bladder infection.

I wondered how a newborn could get a bladder infection...hmmm???

The E.R. Doctor came into our room to do his evaluation. As he entered the room, I had just finished feeding Jack a bottle and about two minutes later Jack started to profusely vomit! As he was vomiting, the Doctor said:

"Oh, way to go Dude, Awesome, way to go, nice job!"

He said those words in a way that made me cringe. I looked at him with angry eyes and thought to myself..."this isn't cool...this has been going on for weeks..."

There was so much vomit on the floor that he had to grab a large towel to soak it up. On his way out the door, he told us there was nothing to be concerned about. Babies "spit up" all the time and "worst case scenario" we would have to feed him a teaspoon, every 20 minutes, at a time until he could eventually handle more. Then, he left.

While he was gone, the nurse returned to place an IV in Jack's arm because he "didn't look dehydrated," but "his urine was showing he was dehydrated" so they were going to give him some fluids "only as a precaution." The nurse began to insert the IV in the front of Jack's elbow. I thought that was a horrible place to insert an IV in a baby since babies are constantly pulling their fists into their face. But, again, what did I know??

The Doctor returned and said, "Well, the good news is...Jack isn't having a stroke because there's some things that we're REALLY bad at here...like strokes...so the good news is it isn't a stroke! He does, however, look like he has a bladder infection and we're REALLY good at treating bladder infections!!"

I asked what the symptoms were for a bladder infection. He explained that bladder infections can make you feel nauseous and vomit. He told me once we got the bladder infection under control that Jack would feel better and stop vomiting. So, in addition to the IV fluids they were starting him on an antibiotic for the "bladder infection."

As he left, the Pediatrician entered the room..."Yep, he doesn't look dehydrated, but we'll go ahead and keep him overnight and observe him and add some human milk fortifier to the breastmilk to help him gain weight." He continued on and on and on...Every word that came out of his mouth was calm, comforting, and led me to think there was nothing to worry about and that Jack would be fine. The fact that he was so calm made me think I should be more calm. If the Doctor is not worried, then why am I so worried??? Then, he started to talk about "the fact" that some DS children have Pyloric Stenosis. Pyloric Stenosis is a narrowing of the Pylorus, the opening of the small intestines into the stomach. He went on to explain that this usually doesn't occur until children are 3 months of age, but, "as a precaution" he would order an Upper GI for Jack in the morning. Before leaving, he assured me that Jack was "fine" and everything was going to be "ok" and I believed him!

With the clothes on my back, my diaper bag, and phone...Jack and I spent the night at the hospital. That night, Jack's oxygen levels dropped down to 70%! Since he was having trouble breathing, the nurse decided it would be best to put him on oxygen. The nurse was concerned and asked me if anyone had spoken to me about seeing a specialist? I thought "specialist?" and answered "no." Jack continued to eat a tiny bit and vomit more than he had eaten all night.

Morning arrived and Jack and I were led down to the Radiology Department for his scheduled Upper GI. I had to undress him and feed him a bottle filled with contrast (a white substance) so the Doctor could view the fluid in the X-Ray and see where it was going. As I was doing this, Jack began to vomit and the nurse assisting was astounded that the color was icky dark green. The Radiologist, however, viewed the screen and concurred..."Yep, it's DEFINITELY Pyloric Stenosis."

Jack and I were led back to our room. Approximately ten minutes later, a man entered the room introducing himself as the "transport guy." He said Jack needed to be transported up to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City to undergo a "simple" surgery for "Pyloric Stenosis." He asked me how soon I could leave and I told him we could leave as soon as they were ready.

I called my mom, in tears, and told her we were being transported, by ambulance, up to Primary Children's and I needed her to pack me a small bag.

In the meantime, the Pediatrician called and asked me if I felt I could transport Jack myself or if I would prefer him being taken in an ambulance. I couldn't believe he thought Jack would be ok driving in the car with me when it was obvious he needed a Nurses care...what was he thinking??? I told him I would prefer the ambulance and he agreed.

My mom arrived with our small bag of "things." After all, we were only expected to be gone for a couple of days. I gave her a teary hug goodbye and she told me she would follow me shortly and meet me up at Primary's.

The ambulance ride was anti-climatic! The driver was boring, but I didn't care...I was just glad I didn't have to talk to her. Occasionally, the nurse from the back would announce updates for me and let me know Jack was doing ok. About 30 minutes before our arrival at Primary's , Carrie Underwood's new song "Temporary Home" came on the radio...I listened to the words...

"this is my temporary home, not where I belong, windows and rooms that I'm passing through...this is just a stop on the place to where I'm going...I'm not afraid because I know...this is my temporary home."

I listened to those words, thought about Jack and tried to hold back my tears. After all, I needed to be strong for Jack...not sad...and, I needed the driver to think I was brave too!!

Our uneventful ride finally came to an end...the front entrance of Primary Children's Hospital. The Nurse and EMT gently removed Jack from the back of the ambulance and I followed them into the E.R.

My sister Robyn was there, with open arms awaiting our arrival...