Ummm it didn't, technically. Yes we went there and yes there were 22 electrodes attached to our sons face, chins (yes I said chins, have you seen him - he's got a spare), and chest, and yes he "slept"; technically. Ah but for how long? Twenty minutes. Not quite long enough for a true REM test to be properly evaluated.See here's the thing, Kaz touches his face to comfort himself and as soon as he reached up to touch his soft baby skin his fingertips were met with cold hard wires and he just wasn't havin' it. I tried to rock him back to sleep. I tried to comfort him. I tried giving him his bink which was impossible since one of the sensors basically blocked his mouth. Nothing worked and by the time the respiratory therapists came into the room to say, "so sorry but..." and before I could snap a picture, he had pulled about have the sensors off his face in protest.
In the short time Kaz was in REM sleep we did discover one thing. His oxygenation level dipped to 91% which warrants oxygen. FINALLY some numbers/facts to substantiate why our child needs the oxygen. Of course I'm disappointed. I walked in there hoping as any normal parent would that their son wouldn't "need" artificial support. Disappointed but not defeated.
So now what? "Well, you can come back in and we can sedate him." Ummm NO, sedate my 4 month old baby - I don't think so! "Or you can come in for an overnight stay." GEEZ LOUISE! While I had to mull over those 2 very attractive options I was left wondering why we had to come back in if based on this short test we knew he still needed the O2 while he slept at night.
.
Well, I got my answer today. We are scheduled for an overnight stay at Childrens Hospital this coming Saturday. By "we", I mean Kaz and I because only 1 parent can stay overnight. WTF! Okay- whatever, why do we have to do this test? It was explained that the test needed to be done to calibrate Kaz's exact need for oxygen (how much, when and so on). Fine, valid point. You win this one. So if you are wondering if I'm free for drinks on Saturday night, sorry I've got a date with a very special little man. Just him and I and 22 electrodes.
P.S. I go back to work tomorrow. I'm so excited to miss him.
