MRI

Whew.

It was a very long day.

It started out with Z throwing up twice (we think it was his stratterra on an empty stomach). We got the hospital fine at the correct time and proceeded to sit and wait for almost 2 hours. I realize places like this have to be flexible, but man, it sucked. Eventually, I went up to the admitting person and asked how much longer because Z was getting antsy. I told her he was autistic and would be calmer if I could give him a time. That I knew they didn't know exactly, but even a worst case scenario would give me something to work with him on.

Those words were like magic. She got on the phone and a Child Life Specialist (someone who is there to help kids like Z) came out with some sensory stuff and a visual story about the MRI. They took us straight back and found us a room with a DVD player. She also went to find people to make sure things kept moving.

I wish I would have said something about his autism sooner! On the other hand, I'm always amazed that someone didn't flag his file somehow to let them know he had autism. I'm sure Mr mentioned it (though he may have assumed they already knew like I had). Apparently, Hasbro has programs and social stories and the like in place to bring the kids in before their test to help them prepare. I would have loved to have known that ahead of time!

Anyway, after another hour (it's now close to 1:00 pm, we got there at 10:00), and two more nurse conversations (one of which explained everything to us beautifully), they finally came in to give Z versed (up the nose, which he hated). Within 5 minutes, the kid was OUT. Not entirely asleep, I could see/feel he was aware of things but unable/unwilling to move or anything.

They came back to start his IV. And foolish woman that I am, I watched. I was holding his arm (he was aware enough to start jerking away from the IV placement-they did put the numbing cream on first) and watched them place the needle. Now, I have a needle thing (I think most do) and watching them move that needle around under his skin placing it about had me either puke or pass out. When they left, I started crying and Mr and to tell me to pull it together.

Mr had to carry Z to the MRI (Z was that out of it) and we had to stand and wait for the doctor to come in. Mr got a real workout! 66 lbs of dead weight. Z was semi-awake, groggy and out of it but with it enough to try and peel away the stuff holding his IV and trying to take off his ID bracelet. I was trying to keep his hands still and not jostle him too much lest Mr lose his grip.

Doctor shows up, we put him on the table and they start to give him the iv drugs. First one was lidocaine to numb the veins. Z did ok with that. Then the sedative (which I guess burns going in) and Z started fighting us. The 2 techs and I had to hold him down and keep him from ripping out the iv. it was kind of funny to watch, one minute he was fighting like we were trying to skin him alive and a second later he was out for the count.

The MRI took about an hour. Mr and I got to stay in the room with him the whole time, not that he woke up or anything (damn but it's loud in there). The Tech initially asked if we wanted to try for him to stay away (but maybe on versed) but we looked at her as if she were insane. We definitely made the right choice, no way would Z have made it through the noise and stayed still.

Afterward, he slept for about an hour or so. He would wake up, then doze off again. Mr said the first words out of Z's mouth would be "mommy". I said it would be "library". I won

Z was groggy and a bit of a drunkard for another 1/2 hour or so. We left about 4:00 (we had been there since 10:00) and he still hadn't eaten much. By the time we got to the first library, he was pretty alert. By the second library, he was wide awake and active and by the time we got home (about 6:30) he was back to himself, though a bit on the hyper side (we suspect he didn't get a full dose of his stratterra that morning).

He eventually fell asleep around 11:00 that night and slept until almost 7:00 this morning (his normal time). He was hungry, awake, playing and ready to go back to camp.

Tonight, Mr and I are going to see harry potter as a treat to us (and to Z, since his aide is going to sit with him and he adores her).

We get the results on Monday. I'm glad it's over and don't want to do it again if I can help it!