Today we finally had the appointment for Elisabeth to have her hearing test, under sedation, since she has never cooperated enough to get a decent hearing test done on her. At five months of age she was given an overdose of medicine in the hospital when she was in for her heart surgery. Now she's extremely delayed in her speech development, so we really need to get some answers on this. We had waited about four months just to get in for this appointment.
280 mg of Chloral Hydrate doesn't touch Elisabeth.
She squirmed, she pulled on my earrings, she tried to walk around, she jumped on the bed, she tried to pull charts off the wall, she whirled like a dervish, she pulled off the doctor's glasses and his name badge and tried to pull off his tie.
Basically she was a combative drunk.
No hearing test.
We have to wait for yet another appointment for a test under full anesthesia.
Mommy is saying bad words.
Oh, and then there was the part when Catherine absolutely flipped out and started screaming uncontrollably when we were entering the hospital and then again when we were waiting for the elevator, because she just KNOWS that elevator rides only lead to the pediatrician's office and other terrible, horrible things. . . .
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And while all this was going on in the operating room, Daddy and Catherine were sitting in a little room with a soda machine and a TV, watching cartoons on the Disney channel and wondering why it was taking so long for Mommy and Elisabeth to come back. Catherine didn't like the modern disney cartoons, although Daddy actually watched the Lilo & stitch series episode. Catherine kept asking for her favorite DVD's, and Daddy had to explain that the TV wasn't equipped with a DVD player and besides, those DVD's weren't in the canvas bag Mommy brought. After nearly 2 hours, out comes the doctor carrying Elisabeth, who is smiling broadly because she got what she wanted -- out of the OR. Mommy is trailing behind and explains that neither she nor the Doctor got what they wanted. Daddy used up 6 hours of vacation time for nothing.
What a mess. You don't have a clever speech therapist who can get her cooperation? My son wasn't tested until he was 3 and the test was fairly standard. But when he started speech therapy what I was most impressed by was how the speech therapist found ways to make him want to communicate.
I wish. If we had a speech therapist who was actually getting somewhere with Elisabeth, we wouldn't have such a problem.
can they get you in sooner than another 4 months for a re-test? it sounds like they're both a bit too clever.
this scenario unfortunately reminds me of visits to the dentist w/my 5 yo. after being held down by 4 office staff plus me, then spitting out 80% of the sedative, he barely gets lightheaded. They take him in anyway and he bites the dentist. grrr. So we leave the office and he not only still has a mouthful of cavities but a good buzz going, too.
I'd say enjoy a nice glass of wine and a relaxing evening-hopefully. Those are the days when the sun can't quite set quickly enough-Hang in there mom and dad-it's the other endurance race.
Whoa. Parenting is not for wimps - good thing there's two of you to handle the girls together. Think of it as a bonding experience.
Hang in there Tobys! Hey, at least you learned something new - about E's CH tolerance and her deep-seated desire for revenge on the medical profession...
Yeah, parenting, tougher than any Ironman out there. At least a race is over in about 17 hours. Parenting lasts the rest your life. Trust me, my daughter is 28, it just doesn't end.
Hopefully things will go better next time. Good luck, sounds like you have 2 way too smart girls on your hands :)
Sorry it didn't work out today... I really hope you can get another appointment sooner than last time
How frustrating! How can they do a hearing test if she is completely out?
Nancy, and Steve, Sorry about the awful frustration. My children have health issues as well so I have totally been there.
Just remember...Ironman Day is Vacation Day...... :-)
Heidi
Oh Nancy and Steve ... how frustrating! Especially after 4 months of waiting.
I hope that they can fit you in soon...
Shoot! I'm sorry you had to wait so long and still no answers. It must be frustrating. At least you have a sense of humor, Elisabeth, the combative drunk. :) Poor little thing, I'm the same way. It takes a horse dose of sedative to knock me out.
Hope the next time you will get results.I'm real confused though. How can you do a hearing test under sedation?
The hearing tests when they're unconscious are like the ones they give to babies in the hospital - put earphones on them which play various frequencies of sound and look for electrical activity in the skin - like a lie detector test.
With an uncooperative subject like Elisabeth this is what you have to resort to!
Aw, man! That sounds like a terrible day for the entire family. Why must parenting be so difficult?
As bad as all that was, what a hard experience, I hope you and hubby get a chance to decompress. I agree with a glass of wine and some good reading. Its harder on you two than the child.
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