Kate's Big Day

Yesterday Kate 08 was admitted to hospital to have an adenoidectomy and grommets inserted. We arrived at the Mercy Hospital (private) at 07:15 am we were greeted by a lovely nurse who was going to look after us for the day.

Being a nurse myself and working in an hospital setting the first thing that stood out for me was the surroundings and the atmosphere. The hospital just seemed very clean and bright and calm. The staff looked very professional in manner and presentation. The nurse had time for us and I just wanted to apply for a job there. Why did it seem so different from the public system? Does money really make a difference even with the way people present themselves? Trust me I have seen nurses at my work place turn up dressed so scruffy its really embarrassing one nurse even wore ug boots to work (slipper boots), some have face piercing and others you wonder when they last cleaned their uniform. Not at this hospital even the cleaning lady was well groomed. Anyway back to the real reason for this blog baby Kate. As usual Kate had her frown on and no way was she going to smile. It was like her little brain was processing ever move and thinking about why this? and why that? The nurse put cream on both hands and covered them with clear film (this cream numbs the area for cannulation). Kate watched intensely and after kept looking at her hands and looking at me before she would say YUCKY! She then would try and wipe her hands and she also went over to the sink and asked to "wash hands" very cute. How could we distract her from her hands? Then the nurse bought out a blue ride on car which instantly grabbed Kate attention thus for the next hour while we waited for her operation I was pushing her around in this awesome car. At 9am the orderly came to take us to theatre. My mothers nerves kicked into gear and as we entered into the theatre room my heart was pounding. I sat up on the bed and held baby Kate close as they attempted to cannula her. Kate was wonderful unfortunately the doctors two attempts failed. This meant they had to gas her to sleep and that was not a great feeling or very nice to witness. Kate was breathing in the gas but as she began to drift she started to fight the feeling of falling asleep an then the kicking started and the redness in her face was horrible it took three of us to hold her tight and then all of a sudden she collapsed in my arms. Watching her limp little body been taken away from me and laying her on the table was the hardest moment for me. I stayed to make sure she was breathing and her heart rate was showing on the monitor then I kissed her precious little face and left with a huge lump in my throat and being a brave mum. The surgeon told me it should be a 30min procedure so when 40 mins went by I was slightly worried and then 50min and finally 55 min the surgeon came out and told me that all was well and that her adenoids took a little longer due to the size they were 60% bigger than normal and obstructing Kate's airway. He also mention she was very congested in her airway and thus she needed suctioning. Finally he assured me she should improve in a couple of days and she was on her way to recovery. I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms however I had to wait 20min more before I could see her. She wasn't a happy little girl as I entered recovery she was very dopey, screaming and kicking and totally beside herself. I held her tight and tried to calm her down but she wasn't having a bar of me either this meant they had to give her some drugs to calm her down. She instantly went back to sleep and as I looked at her she had blood coming out of her nose and she needed to be suctioned due to the mucous blood coming from her mouth. Now I'm a nurse and this is stuff I see most days but it was hard for me to watch my baby go through. Slowly she came around and she was more calmer and when I offered her boobee she was a lot more settled. So 1 hour later Kate and I are wheeled back to the day unit to recover some more and so I spent the afternoon in bed cuddling baby Kate until she was happy enough that she wanted a ride in the blue car. Kate and I left the hospital at 3pm and already she doesn't snore anymore and she seems a lot happier.

Temptation Overcome

So the last 6 weeks I've been studying for my Level 6 NZ Resuscitation Certificate. This requires alot of reading I mean alot, more than New Moon. Friday came, the exam included written and pratical, it started at 8.30am and finish at 2.30pm. Well talk about stressful it reminded me of my nursing state finals. The morning started with a hiss and quiet a bit of head banging on the desk as I attempted to complete the written part of the exam. I must say the question were very misleading and written way to small and too close together. The questions were true/false and you had to scratch a box. I generally answer the question I know and leave the others to go back too (bad mistake) Because the question were small and close together I somehow manage to miss some questions BLAST!!! So after that I had a strong feeling the written part did not go to well. A 10min break and it was straight into the practical side. We were placed into groups and given a scenario each member had to be the team leader. When it was my turn I totally felt useless and I really didn't feel it went very well. I was so stressed out and when the instructor said "Paula you look like your're going to cry" and so thats exactly what I did (how embarrassing!) Timeout was needed so hot milo and a couple of biscuits later I mange to pull myself together and continue with the scenario. NOOOOOOOOOO!! the instructor pointed to me again and said "Paula you will be team leader again, just believe in yourself" Yeah right I was thinking. The next scenario was completed and it was ok but could have been better. Another 10min break and then it was skill testing station time. Again more stress and nerves and if I have learn't anything leave the best til last not the worst. I passed the skills stations and then we had to go to the office to find out our written results and as I predicted I failed BLAST!

Our group sat down to re-evaluate the day and we all agreed it was a CRAP day. This prompted one of the girls to suggest we go to the pub and get drunk. Oh, how I was tempted, I felt so bad and disappointed and really stressed out because I have to resit it again. The idea of loosing myself in alcohol sounded great for awhile until everyone was leaving to go.

Listen to a still small voice, listen listen. When you have to make a choice. He will guide you ALWAYS came into my thoughts. I knew right then that that tune was a prompting for me to choose the right. I told the team I didn't drink and that I'll just scoff a whole cake of chocolate instead. As we departed our ways a feeling of peace came over me and homeward bound I went.

How was I blessed by chosing the right? Well that night Dave and I got dressed up as vampires Edward and Bella (although Amiee thought we looked more like Jasper and Alice) and went to a famous couples house warming party. What a great time we had love it love it!!!!