Guest Blog Update Day 1: The Transport/Getting Settled

Hi, I'm Hal's cousin as well as the newest doctor assigned to his case because my initials are M.D. Its my job to keep all Aunt Anne's lovelies updated on my patient/cousin so here goes:

Hal, J & A were transported to Primary Children's Medical Center bright and early this morning. Anne took several pictures, which will be uploaded as soon as she can provide me with the cord, so you can see Hal on the stretcher and in the ambulance. (Note, the driver is studying to be, of all trades, a mortician so you can imagine the fun conversation.)

Aunt Anne was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the "newness" of the situation and was immediately given a list of Don'ts (Don't call between such and such, no visiting between this and that, no cell phones near that over there, etc...). They took Hal away and left Aunt Anne in tears in the hallway bewildered and very alone. (In the early morning she forgot the milker and had to send Jason to go get the equipment)

Hal is in a room with 4 other babies. Its hard to say whether or not he is sicker or healthier than the other kids because the other kids have what Hal doesn't: A diagnosis.

They met with the neuroperson (blahdidty, blah...Anne didn't really get the full name or full profession because the person introducing her was a mumbler) who ordered a full screening on him before anything could be done. Screening did not take place as was expected today. Hopefully tomorrow. Part of the tests that need to be conducted include inserting needles in certain parts of the body to check muscle tone. Medication is given to make the muscles numb, but Anne remembered that this medication may also be linked to Hal's last seizure episodes. Makes her a bit nervous to go down that path again. They also met with the ENT, who also ordered a full screening, but again, no tests were conducted.

The Ronald McDonald house in Salt Lake is fabulous. It is a converted bed and breakfast so the tired couple will sleep well tonight. They have met other NICU parents and are hopefully finding some common support with folks that are going through similar ordeals.

Aunt Anne misses the kind nurses at Utah Valley, her french stuttering Doctor, and likely the sense of familiarity of her routine this past month. Her days have been filled with pumping, visiting Hal, pumping, sleeping, visiting Hal, and pumping. Now she is in an new environment and is trying to "hold it all together".

One thing that is for sure is that the HAZEN family (not to be confused with HAL) STINK at patience. We want what we want and we want it NOW, so this is a struggle for her. She hopes to have some news, any news, for us tomorrow but in the meantime appreciates this blog as a means to keep kind well-wishers informed, as well as any questions posed or answered.