Ambulance ride...

Trinity has been sick for a out a month now with what we thought was a cold in the beginning.  The first 7 days we sort of ignored it because we thought it would run it's course...when it didn't we took her to the pediatrician.  He thought it was a cold and just needed some time, but suggested we give her some antibiotics and then bring her back in a few days if it did not get better.  So less than a week we were back int eh doc office, but her pediatrician was on vacation so we saw another doctor.  She got worried by Trinity's now deep belly breathing and sent us to Children's Medical ER.  We spent 5 hours in the ER with them taking x-rays, deep suctioning her nose...and lots of other stuff, but the MAIN thing was her Saturation levels were not staying up.  Finally after all the work they did on her they were able to get her SATs up and sent us home....whew!  Or so I thought.  The est of the week she just seemed to be getting worse and worse.  We go so worried about her and I was dying seeing her struggle. She had slowed down on her eating and by Monday evening was not eating anything. And today she was not moving very much and was so listless!! This morning I took her to the pediatricians office again and things happened so quickly I hardly had time to blink!

When we got there the nurse said her coloring was a little off so she had the doctor come in and they immediately hooked her up to read her SATs.  When the machine started reading it said 65% and the nurse said to me "Oh I think our machine must not be working, but let's get her on some oxygen just in case"  I honestly think she was trying to keep me calm because looking back I think Trinity's SATs really were 65%!!  Once they got the oxygen hooked up she started coming up and they were able to stabilize her with the mask on at 95% or so.  The doctor advised she had spoken to Trinity's heart doc while all the hooking up was going on and  they had already called an ambulance to take us to M.C. where her heart doc was waiting.  Hearing this I have to admit I almost started to lose my cool.  I had to take a minute to collect my thoughts and then it was GO MOMMY MODE!  When the ambulance got there the team of 3 were amazing!  I was never left alone for a second and they sort of tag teamed me in a way.  While one or 2 were getting Trinity loaded on the BIG gurney with all the machines one of the others was asking me questions.  Then they would switch so that one could hook up the oxygen and the other tell me what was happening etc.  Trinity looked so small on that gurney as it was adult size, but there was a LOT of equipment attached to it.  She had her oxygen right there and all the TVs to monitor her also.  She didn't try to move to pull on anything or even to speak she just laid there looking so sad.

I was allowed to ride in the ambulance to the ER and thankfully it was a nice ride.  I had to sit in the front, but i could turn around and see the top of her head.  There were 2 ER people (a guy and a girl) and then the driver (a guy).  The 2 in the back were so sweet to Trinity.  The guy held her hand the whole way , he was sitting near her and facing her, while the lady was buckled in at her head and would talk to her.  I could see the monitors which was nice and her oxygen levels stayed in the 100%-98% range the whole time (with the cannula)  I got a chance to talk to the driver, very nice and informative, and thankfully he put up with my questions.  I am sure he gets nervous talkers in her cab all the time..:)  BUT I learned a few things...

#1 People are idiots when driving around Ambulances!!  Do you know how many people pulled out in front of us?  he said that it is even worse when they have their lights flashing and are trying to get around drivers etc.  and not to mention all the ones that get behind the ambulance and follow as close as they can to be able to go faster.  The law is you must remain 500ft away.

#2 The lights on the ambulance trigger the traffic lights to turn green.  There is a pattern the lights put off that can change the lights for up to a 1/2 mile or so away ( I am guessing on the distance since he pointed out the area)

#3 He actually had to take map reading classes when he started and they have a HUGE map in their area that they have to run to to look at.  They also carry tons of MAPSCO books etc and he happened to have a GPS...:)  Ambulances are moving up !!!

I forgot to mention that the ambulance we rode in was designed specifically with Children in mind. The outside was decorated with fun decals of flowers, butterflies and bumble bees, bugs etc The indie was very kid friendly in that the equipment was semi hidden so as not to freak out the kids.  There was also a TV installed to play cartoons and other kid movies etc.

When we got to the hospital they wheeled us into ER and started running tests, x-rays, hooking her to IV's etc.  It was a little overwhelming at first, but do able!  This is where my "GO MOMMY" mode kicked in and I started making some phone calls..to the boss - not coming in for a few days...to the Walkers - can you pick up Tristan...to Washington - are you almost here yet?...to my parents - We are in the hospital...to Washington - NOW? (in his defense he left as soon as he heard, but it is far and traffic had just started)  During X-rays they had to take Trinity off the oxygen for us to walk down the hall and then back...when we got back her SATs we reading 56%....NOT GOOD!

After what seemed forever in ER they admitted us to a room.  Here is baby girl all propped up on her pillows and in her "nest" that the build around her to prop her upright..:)  I brought one of her blankets thankfully so she has something from home.  The Chupie in her mouth is some how hanging on and I am not sure how she managed to keep it in!

We are headed to bed since it is late and hoping to have more information tomorrow.

Today was a ambulance riding kind of day...

The Mommy