MRI Prep

Tessa and I stayed home yesterday and kept the couch company. She woke up a little congested and the pain in her tummy seemed more intense. We decided to camp out and take a rest day. A little morphine later we were in pretty good shape.

I have been fighting back the anxiety of what was going to happen during the placement of the NJ tube. This tube is very thin (think strand of spaghetti) and is generally used as a feeding tube. It is threaded up the nose, down the throat, through the stomach to the jejunum (the small bowel). Tessa was to be awake for this procedure and I was having nightmares about restrains and screaming. But she is such an incredible kid. She lay on a table with Casey and I at her head holding her hands, there was a nurse at her feet, the doctor at her side and a huge fluoroscopy machine over her to help the doctor guide the tube. She was terrified but incredible. The doctor threaded the tube into her nose, but Tessa held so still that we were there more for comfort than restraint. It took about 15 minutes, during which time Tessa cried and the doctor threaded this looooooong tube down into her, pulling a little out, pushing it back in over and over to get it right. It was bad, but not as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

So we are now safely ensconced at Noni and Papa's house keeping a different couch company. I am so relieved that it's over and that the tube is not bothering her too much. We are headed in for the MRI tomorrow morning, and depending on how she feels after she wakes up we may head home directly.

It is so easy to get lost in what is happening to Tessa. Our world has narrowed drastically, and I have forgotten that we are not the only ones who are suffering. When you mention us in your prayers please add one for our dear friend Edna Tobias. She is on of Casey's closest friends' mom. She is battling with lung cancer. Though I have never had the pleasure of meeting her, Casey talks about her with such affection and respect. Keep Edna and her family in your hearts as they move through their own dark hour.

Thank you to everyone for their love and support. A special shout out to Sandy and Don Woolley who are amazing friends and neighbors for keeping our home and chickens safe, and for their constant support.