3 Days in the Hospital

Megan has continued to have very bad stomach pains and nausea. The neurologist suggested she see a GI (Gastroenterologist). I couldn't get in contact with the office after numerous phone calls over two days time, so I decided we would just go to the ER since it should expedite things. After 7 hours in the ER receiving fluids, IV meds, and xrays, they decided to send us up to a room. The next day we sat around waiting and finally the GI doctor came by and ordered a gall bladder test. As soon as we figured out the test, scheduling and such, the nurse found out that she couldn't have the test because they had just given her pain medicine and she couldn't have the test with food or pain meds, which she had had both. So basically we just hung around the hospital all day until the next morning she could have the test. It was a 90 minute nuclear test to see if the gall bladder is working. Funny thing was that it was the same kind of scan machine that did her thyroid scan at MD Anderson. She just had to lay still for the 90 minutes while they did an initial scan and then injected some kind of nuclear medicine in her IV and then did a long scan.

Kelsey got to go down to the play room and work on a mother's day project the art therapy program had scheduled. She was as happy as ever getting to decorate 4 cookies and then make a very cool cookie bouquet. She was very sweet and got all the materials together for Megan to make one in her room once she came back from her test. Together they worked on Megan's cookies and we hung out, and had lunch. Megan was glad to finally be well enough to go so the pantry for the first time - where they have free drinks and snacks. She was able to get her own slushee. :) She also saw the Ronald McDonald House room finally. They have two lovely living room areas, kitchen with snacks and food, showers and computer area. Very nice and free. We also saw many of the same nurses, techs, transporters, house keeping and chaplain that we made friends with during our last visits. A couple of nurses came in just to say hi to Megan and we had some of the same ones helping us again. It almost felt comfortable, not like being in a dreaded place, which is nice.

Later the nurse came in and told us the test came back fine so we could go home. They had been giving her a new medicine Protonax to hopefully help with her stomach pain, so they said to try the new medicine for a few days and if she isn't feeling better, to call the doctor and she would do an upper endoscopy, which is a camera going down her throat to look at her esophagus and stomach. So, we went home. Of course once we got home, the medicine she prescribed wasn't covered by insurance. 7 phone calls later back and forth between Walgreens and the doctor, we got it figured out. Walgreens didn't have the new medicine, but didn't bother to tell me that. So then they had to call it to another 24-hour Walgreens which of course was 15 minutes away - but I went out at midnight to get the medicine for her. FUN. But, glad to be home.