DCMC: Spine Surgery, Day 4, April 24, 2010

At 3:30am, Luke woke me up, so I quickly pumped to give him some fresh milk.  Just as I was pouring the bottle, he settled down and went back to sleep…until 8:30am!  Here’s hoping he keeps that habit up at home.

I awoke to the awesome news that we’d been given the order to feed “ad-lib” – meaning Luke could nurse as much and as often as he wanted.  I’m pretty sure I contemplated throwing the breastpump out the window at that point.  Then, I got the monsoon of good news.

The surgeon stopped by and gave us the discharge blessing…

Gastro stopped by and followed suit.

Then hematology came by and we finally got some answers.  It seems Dr. S did drink that glass of wine and ponder Luke’s chart.  Fortunately, most of Luke’s medical history, barring 7 days, is housed at Dell Children’s.  And, because he’s had well over 100 CBCs (complete blood counts) since birth and numerous other bloodwork, she had ample history to make her case for that hunch.  It looks as if Luke has an allergic reaction to cephalosporins.  If that sounds like Greek to you, I’ll explain.  Many, if not all, post-operative patients are given an antiobiotic as a precaution to prevent infections after surgery.  In Luke’s case, he’s quite nearly had every drug on the planet (ok, maybe not all, but lots).  Two drugs in particular, cephalexin and ancef, have been given to him multiple times.  Each time, his blood levels have dropped, thus requiring him to have blood transfusions.  Now, while that doesn’t sound too horrible, what Dr. S shared with me next is.  Obviously, everytime you’re exposed to something you’re allergic to, your reaction gets worse.  In Luke’s case, his reaction to the drug often times can shut down your kidneys.  Um…remember Luke has a challenge with those?  She was surprised that his didn’t shut down this time around.

Minor freak out people.

Then I remembered how many people were praying for him…  If you’ve ever wondered if you’re prayers made a difference, this is your answer.

Because here’s the crazy thing.  If Luke hadn’t had all these surgeries we might never have know about his severe reaction to this group of drugs.  And, Dr. S. also added that’s why sometimes a child is given a drug for an ear infection and then dies suddenly.  Praise God for allowing us to determine this allergy so early.  And God bless Dr. S., a specialist in blood disorders, who was on-call this weekend.  That, my friends, is divine providence.

I know, wipe off those goosebumps.

Neuro stopped by next and had no choice but to discharge us 🙂  Actually, Dr. George’s actual words were, “So, you want to go home?”  Me:  “Yes.”  Dr. G:  “Alright, click your heels three times and get outta here.”

After a few housekeeping items, a quick pack of the bags, a phone call to Scott and a little flirting with the nurses, we said hasta luego to Dell.  For the sixth time.  Nothing like three suitcases, two bags, a baby, a sling, two tired parents and 35 more bottles of frozen breastmilk to throw in the van.

The irony is not lost on today, either.  You see, four years ago TODAY, I had major spine surgery.  I was the one in ICU, fighting to begin my new life with corrected scoliosis.  Who knew that four years later my infant son would be the one discharged from PICU with a new life to live?

Tomorrow, I’ll have my usual reflection post.  Until then…make it a great weekend.  And thanks for those prayers.