The Big Poke

Thursday, March 3, 2011
My childhood friend, Amanda's, birthday
5 days from Juliette's birthday
Cayleigh Jean Dulik is 2 weeks old


This morning came earlier than expected. For the first time in awhile, I got up with the kids. Before I had to take care of the kiddos I pumped and called to check on Cayleigh. A nurse answered the phone... she tells me that I need to call back because Cayleigh's nurse is in reports.

Reports is essentially a shift change. It's the time when the 12 hour shift ends (7 am and 7 pm) and the nurses sit down, go over the notes from the previous nurse, talk about any outstanding problems, discuss medications and double check dosages, etc. Last night our nurse was a guy named Alex. Nic and I asked Cindy if he was new. She tells us he isn't new, that he had just taken some time off but has been doing this work for many years. She tells us that, while he is very quiet, he is extremely bright and a good nurse. We feel more relieved. At least I did - I don't think Nic was quite comfortable with a man taking care of his Cayleigh.

Not to much later, after getting the kids off the school, Mom, Juliette, Nic & I piled into the van today to head up and see Cayleigh. I call the hospital again to check on her blood stats. They did a draw this morning for the CPT and CBC. The nurse, Sheila, checked the charts. She is down to 1.8. <1 is normal. We're quite pleased with the progress she has made. Cayleigh is doing well. Normal O2 and normal heartrate. She's sleeping. Nothing exciting. We like nothing exciting.

We left around 10 and arrived shortly before 11. Nic drops us ladies off at the door and heads to park the car. Our parking pass is going to expire soon I remind him. He tells me he will check with the head nurse to get a redemption. *sigh* I'd like a gas redemption, I think to myself. We go inside, get our badges and I sit down with Juliette on the couch in the lobby with my mom while we wait. Juliette has a large zip lock bag of popcorn 'we' (I) made this morning. Olive oil, popcorn seeds and a little seasoning salt... she loves it. She asks me to watch a movie on my phone. I begin showing my mom how to pull up the YouTube app and how to search for her favorites. Then, I realized I need my phone to take pictures of Cayleigh. Juliette seems slightly disappointed until Nonny tells her they are going to head to the cafeteria while we are upstairs. Juliette throws on her monkey hat (which is always a big hit and insanely cute), grabs her popcorn, shoves some in her mouth and makes it a point to say BYE MOMMA, complete with a wave. Bye baby. I love you.

Nic comes inside and gets his badge. He looks slightly irritated. What's wrong? The guy asked me why when I told him I need a NICU badge. I remind him I dont think we have seen that guy before. I'm also pretty sure he doesn't have telepathy but I don't tell Nic that. I just say that he probably wanted to make sure Nic wasn't an uncle or friend since only parents and grandparents can go into the NICU. We go into the elevators. Nic doesn't look any less irritated but it fades quickly when the doors open. 2nd floor, ICU to the right, NICU to the left.

We buzz in, sign in, wash up and head to Cayleigh. We see Bad Doctor. Oh boy I hear Nic mutter. We walk inside and head to Cayleigh. I've got a ziplock bag full of milky for her because our freezer is full of milk and Alex told us, last night, we could bring 25 bottles. Well, come to find out from Sheila we have room for about 8 or 9 more. Good thing Nic cautioned me not to pack all 25 this morning isn't it? We walk to Cayleighs crib and begin to pray for her with our hands on our sweet girl. I read scriptures and confessions. We ask for continued healing. Claim life over our baby. We ask that her stats stay normal. For her to start swallowing. That seems like a big one for us lately. Its really the only thing that seems to be 'keeping her back'. Swallow, gag reflex and suck. Sweet baby... we pray over her.

Nic tells me, with stress on his face, that he saw the consent for the Spinal Tap sitting on top of Cayleighs file. He asks what I want to do about it. We pray over her...we ask for the Lord to reveal an answer to us and for us to have the faith to submit to His will. We ask for peace about the decision when we make it. Dr Glasses comes over - its the end of his shift/work week and he tells us the baby color looks very good. Tells us that we need to do a spinal. Nic asks him if he thinks its necessary. The doctor says they demand it. I laugh in my head. Demand? Let's see how that goes over. Nic says he wants to see the needle. I ask if it will hurt her. He says it will be uncomfortable (Dr talk for yes). I ask if it will be between the 3rd and 4th vertebrae. He explains it will puncture between the 4th and 5th verebrae. I ask if they will numb her with a topical ointment or something to dull the pain. He says no local. Too many pokes for baby. Nic asks if they have to fold her head to her feet, he says no. She lays on her side and they push her spine out slightly. He shows us. I get upset. I pray over my baby and put my hand on her back. Lord, no pain. Lord, comfort her. The doctor and Nic are talking and I look at Sheila. Would you let them do it to your baby? She says yes. Dr Glasses is gone and Bad Doctor is sitting in the room. I ask Sheila why they can't give her a numbing medicine. She tells me that Bad Doctor is the one who will be doing the procedure and he is very very good at it. She tells me that he DOES use numbing, Lidocaine. I am instantly at peace. Ok. I look at Nic, he's sitting down with the papers and reading them. He then signs them. Sheila signs them. It's done.

Nic stands up and shakes Bad Doctors hand. He apologizes for being angry at him before. Bad Doctor says something but a light skinned, older nurse across from us tells us its normal to be upset about things pertaining to our babies. Especially these babies. She references the sweet little babies in Cayleighs room. I look at Bad Doctor and decide I will change his name now - Smart Doctor. He's very smart, thats what everyone says. Since my hubby can forgive him so can I. Smart Doctor is going to do the spinal tap and I'm ok with it. It's necessary to rule out meningitis. Ok.

We stay not too much longer and pray over our baby some more. Daddy takes some pictures and so do I. We give her kisses and say goodbye to her. We tell her we will be back up later. We thank the nurses and doctors and tell them my mom will be up soon and we'll be back later. I ask Sheila to make sure they call us before they do the spinal tap. We want to be in prayer about it. She says of course. Then, she walks up to me, puts her hand on my shoulder and tells me she is a Christian too. She tells me she will be praying and pray for Cayleigh. I say thank you, so does Nic.

We head downstairs, tell my mom the news and she heads up. I ask her if she wants me to show her where Cayleighs room is at and she says yes as the elevator doors shut in her face. I head up in the other elevator and walk her to Cayleighs room (after getting in, signing in, and washing up of course). My mom stands by Cay's crib and strokes her little head, talks to her about alot of stuff. She is a sucker for babies. I stay for a short while before heading downstairs.

Mom eventually comes down and we all head to the van. We'll get some food and then go pick up the kiddos from school. We head back to Tracy and get some lunch. While there, the nurse Sheila called. My mom brings the phone to the bathroom where I'm waiting on Juliette to go potty. She tells me its the NICU and I panic momentarily. Nothing is wrong she is just calling to talk to you. I say hello. Mrs Dulik? Yes. Hi, it's Sheila, I just wanted to call and let you know we are going to be doing the Spinal Tap now. Thank you very much. Ok, bye.

I say a prayer, call Nic (who ran to get batteries for the Cow Pump...err..Breastpump) and we pray together. Juliette and I walk back to my mom and we all grab hands and pray together. Nic eventually comes and suggests calling to see how the spinal tap went. I call the nurse and Sheila tells me it went well. The fluid is clear which is a very good sign. Only one poke. *PRAISES*

It's 3:34. I'm tired and need to go pump. Just thought I'd share our day so far.
Please pray for Cayleigh
Pray that she starts to swallow, suck and have a gag reflex
Pray that her stats all remain normal
Pray that she continues to thrive and make progress
Pray that UCSF (where she will be transferred to within the week) is able to immediately see what is ailing her, make a plan to fix it and we get to take her home.
Pray for God's continued healing touch and grace.

Thank yoU!!