MRI and Tear Duct Plugs

MRI

Zoe has been due to get another MRI since October 2008 to check on the status of the syrinx in her spine. In the fall of 2008 we met with anesthesia to discuss the difficulty people have with getting an IV into Zoe. During her MRI at six months of age, they were unsuccessful (after more than 20 tries) to get an IV into Zoe and therefore proceeded without IV access. This has a lot of risks to it. So in October 2008, they decided to hold off until fall 2009. We were set to bring her in for her MRI last November, but since she had H1N1 in early November, they did not feel comfortable giving her full anaesthesia. So again, it was put on hold.

On Wednesday this week we got a call that they booked Zoe for Friday morning. Zoe was healthy (as healthy as Zoe gets which means occasional fevers but her lungs sound clear) so we were able to go ahead with the test yesterday.

They were able to get an IV in on the third try. They seemed unhappy about this (Zoe was given anaesthetic air first so she was asleep and I guess they are used to having more success with IVs when the child is sleeping) but we were very happy they got it at all.

Minor Eye Surgery

When we found out the test was booked for Friday, we started a flurry of emails and phone calls to coordinate with Zoe's opthalmologist. Zoe does not produce tears and despite us putting in tear gel four times a day, her cornea are becoming dangerously dry. When the cornea become too dry, there can be permanent damage and blindness. Obviously, not a good thing. The original plan was to put tear duct plugs in the bottom two tear ducts. That was six months ago. Yesterday, the ophthalmologist mentioned that he would prefer to do all four tear ducts since Zoe's eyes have gotten more dry.

We were very happy that they were able to coordinate both procedures. This meant that Zoe would not have to return to the hospital to get another full anaesthetic. We had to really push for this, but we were very happy that they listened in the end and were willing to do what is best for Zoe.

Recovery

If I haven't said this before, Zoe is amazing. She was groggy and a little grumpy yesterday but did great with recovery. I think she was having some bad dreams because she was whimpering in her sleep and wouldn't settle down until one of us held her. But she ate and drank great. And last night she slept most of the night.

Zoe is so tolerant of not feeling well. At one point when we were making dinner, Zoe made a noise so I went to help her with her toy. She squawked at me, pointed at a small puddle of puke on her toy, and looked up at me as if to say, "Mom, get that puke off my toy." I wiped up the puke and Zoe went back to smiling and playing with her toy.

I tell you, she really is amazing.