I was grocery shopping when the nurse called about the CT scan. I was with Elsie, in the produce section and she was sleeping and OH how I felt that feeling like you’re floating around yourself, watching. The nurse said that the CT WAS NORMAL and I cried right there in front of the other shoppers.
As the janitor at my college always said, PRAISE-A-LUJAH-TO-YA.
I nearly woke Elsie up to tell her but then I remembered that she doesn’t speak very much English yet. So I just stared at her and let carts go by me. Then I went to get milk and bread and all the usual things.
The usual things are good.
Thank you so much for surrounding us with so much love and support again. How many ways can I say thank you? I wish there were more words.
Thank you.
Oh! An explanation of sorts, as far as I can tell? You see, it’s not just that Elsie has a big head or that her head grew a lot in three months. That would just be normal, like a growth spurt…the concern comes when the noggin makes a significant leap off its own curve of growth. Like on the arching chart with the little dots. Growth spurts, etc, show a more gradual increase. This was not like that. SO. I’m not a doctor, but I’m pretty certain the explanation goes something like this: The tool used to measure around a noggin, as you know if you’ve been at these appointments, is just a tape measure. Human error is HIGHLY likely. I mean, it totally depends on if they have that thing in the exact same spot each time or if it slips while measuring, etc. We all know how these things go with little ones. So often they have to re-measure length because of wiggles and stuff.
Right now I’m so relieved (and tired–we just don’t get much sleep) that I’m not sure how totally frustrated I am with that. We were very concerned because of Asher’s history and our daughter did have to go through having a CT scan (HI radiation!) and that sucks a lot, but I know my energy is better utilized in trying to get some sleep and peace rather than being really angry.
That doesn’t mean I won’t make some suggestions to our doctor and nurse though. I can do that and I can be kind and we can move on.
Peace. (and thank you again)
{ 31 comments }
PRAISE-A-LUJAH-TO-YA!
This is wonderful, wonderful news. We had a similar scare (minus the CT scan) with my first daughter. It’s no fun.
So very happy (and relieved) for you.
suzanne @ pretty swell recently posted..Secret mommy behavior
Oh, what a terrific early Christmas present! I’m so happy to hear this good news this morning.
And I think you’re definitely on to something when you suspect some human error in the measurement. I still remember when my oldest was about Elsie’s age and the nurse’s measurement suggested that he had shrunk in length between two visits. Needless to say, a re-measurement confirmed that the first one was a little off. It must be so hard to get an accurate one with those wiggly little bodies.
Giant hugs to you and your beautiful girl – and all my deepest wishes for good health! xo
Kristen @ Motherese recently posted..December Dilemma
I’m so glad to read this!
Wendy recently posted..Well, hello there.
Yay!!! So happy for you all!
domestic extraordinaire recently posted..On her Seventeenth Birthday I received Joy & Peace
Look at those three gorgeous kids.
My heart is SOARING. Whew. I keep getting a little weepy about it – a relieved weepy, which is the best kind.
LOVE to you. SO MUCH.
-xo
-Ellie
Ellie recently posted..My New Normal
While my children never had to have a CT, we did have a spinal tap under similar circumstances. I remember sitting in the waiting room, wondering if I should be angry, and deciding that I was too relieved with the news, too tired from the worry to argue it. Mistakes happen. If I am human and make mistakes, then they are human and make mistakes. Doctors and nurses can be superheros sometimes, but they are not superhuman.
Sarah recently posted..Holiday 2011 Giveaway, Courtesy of Angler Fish Studio!
Thank God, Heather. I’m so grateful on your behalf!
Jami recently posted..The Latest CaringBridge Post
Relieved and grateful with you! :) Was praying for ya. :)
Very happy to hear this update! I WILL be coming for a visit soon….Can’t wait to see her!
Heather – I could feel the relief when I saw the post on fb. Wow, what a ride, huh?? So, so, so happy for this gift.
And yes, I too have walked the tightrope between frustration, and knowing I shouldn’t waste my emotions on it… It’s hard.
That picture…. oh my heart.
Wendi recently posted..Balance in the midst of the most wonderful time of the year
PRAISE-A-LUJAH-TO-YA indeed. So happy. So wonderful. So glad it was human error. Gives you a chance to be extra grateful right? Love to you.
Jo recently posted..No Limits
Oh so happy for you! Tears of relief are priceless.
:D PHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Kate recently posted..WIWW
Yay for Elsie! :)
Sabrina recently posted..Welcome to my Home…
Thank God for your good news!!
Heather, somehow I missed your post on Sunday and so didn’t realize what was going on… Yikes! I’m so relieved that you have good news, so sorry that you had to go through the worry, fear and anxiety, that Elsie had to go through those tests. Very glad it’s all behind you. Love that photo of your beautiful kids. Hugs all around!
Varda (SquashedMom) recently posted..Step by Step
So very happy to hear this good news. Peace and happy holidays! (And I feel your pain with the sleep deprivation – hoping you get more rest soon)
Sara recently posted..Consider time a friend
So glad for this good news. So glad. Also love that photo!
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing recently posted..This is from memory
I would have cried right there and then, too. I’m so happy that you received good news.
Alita
Woo Hoo! And..I love those curtains!
Liz recently posted..The end of NaBloPoMo!!
Sadly, human error does abound.
I’m glad your baby is okay. What cute children!
Michelle recently posted..Censorship
Yay. So very much Yay. xo
Galit Breen recently posted..What Do Jewish Kids Think When They See Santa?
I am so glad the results came back normal. It is SO scary when things happen to our children that are out of our control. (FYI, I hate the tape measure thingy too. My 18 month old is so wiggly they can’t seem to get an accurate number no matter how many times they try.)
P.S. I’m moving to Iowa in January. Keep me posted if there are ever blog get-togethers in Minnesota – I’ll see if I can make it!
Erin recently posted..The Investigative Process
Totally okay to have that conversation. We’ve had to have several with our allergy/asthma kids, to ensure we’re all on the same page, careful of the same symptoms, and extra cautious when it comes to “dismissiveness” versus attentiveness. In your case, careless measuring versus cautious “knowledge of the history” careful sizing.
Peace is most important. I hope you have it, gain it, find it, whatever it may be.
Awesome news! There is a LOT of human error in these measurements. When we took our son in for his first office visit after his birth, he measured two inches shorter than he did at the hospital. TWO INCHES! Did he shrink? Um, no.
Emma @ emmasota recently posted..Reclaiming Holiday Moments
Such wonderful news!!
What good news!!! Congratulations.
(And what beautiful children! But you already know that.)
:-)
Trish recently posted..Bad Cat
I’m so happy to hear this good news. Hallelujah, indeed.
Tracie recently posted..If You Teach A Kid How To Write
Praising God together with you for the wonderful news! What a relief. This mama gig sure can be hard on the heart at times.
Jamie @ Six Bricks High recently posted..19 Years
So glad. SO GLAD.
Oh, I love that photo! Priceless…
And yes, it would be great if you could make some remarks. With kindness. They are human, too – that said, there is a whole lot of fear in medicine these days, and in jumping in with huge guns when maybe stopping and thinking for a minute might make sense. You’ll handle it beautifully, of course.
Sleep and deep breaths of relief to all, Heather, and a big general yay!
XOXO
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