Saturday, February 12, 2011

The big move

On Friday, February 11, 2011, Samuel was moved from the NICU at Foothills Hospital to the PICU at Alberta Children's Hospital. This process took about 5 hours even though the two hospitals are less than 5 minutes apart. He was accompanied on transport by two nurses, a respiratory therapist, and one of his many neonatologists, Dr. Anne Tierney, who is also the medical director. At the end, three people wearing big EMS jackets and fluorescent vests arrived to take Samuel. I prayed that they would not break him. 

It was 3:20 p.m. when I hugged Dr. Anne good-bye at the PICU; Samuel was ten days old to the minute! Then came the new nurses, doctors, residents, respiratory therapists, sounds, smells, rules, and a whole new round of ventilator tweakings, blood gas tests and procedures. I attached a few photos of our experience as everything about it still feels mostly like a really stressful blur to me.

Samuel did exceptionally well throughout all of this. Clearly, he has more strength and courage than his mother at moments like these. He is settling well into his new private room at Children's Hospital. I am spending the day there today and have been promised a nice long cuddle with my boy. I hope to get a chance to speak with the surgeon, cardiologist and anesthesiologist who will, together, make the decision about when our boy goes to surgery to get his insides straightened out.

Hanging out waiting to move - an extra IV was put into his head in case the umbilical line was dislodged during transport. The yellow disk is to protect his sensitive hearing from the new sounds of the outside world.
The neonatal transfer stretcher and some of the transport team.

That's our wee Samuel in there.

Samuel's new digs at the Children's Hospital. Can you find our baby in there?!

His teddy bear from Nana and name blocks from brothers.

There he is, looking very relaxed. Add a tv remote in one hand and a beer in the other... 


9 comments:

  1. way to go Samuel! Such a strong boy like this brothers, father and mother . . . seems like you have arrived in the arms of the right family. kisses . . . a plenty there are . . . . . UJ

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  2. Yay, Samuel!

    P.S. - Tell your mom that the cafeteria food is supposed to be better at the Children's... (*My* mom used to work there... at the "old" location!) - Cori

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  3. what a little trouper!
    The cousins are all sending love and prayers to our newest family member.

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  4. continuing to send love and light to all of you! That is one amazing little boy... and you continue to be the most amazing family. Keep enjoying those moments - everyone of them - hope all goes well - before, during and after the surgery... LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE xoxoxo janet

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  5. You are "strength and courage". Samuel must get those traits from you! So glad to hear that the move went well. Thinking of all of you this morning. Love Kathleen

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  6. Hoping the wind here carries our prayers to you all... Samuel...you are beautiful and so so loved. We will be waiting on pins and needles to hear about how surgery goes...
    LOVE, ALL US BABITSES
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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  7. Welcome to the world Samuel - you are a darling baby boy - and have already brought so much love into the world. We are sending all our love to all of you, and can't help but ask that you keep up the work with the pee-ing...it brings a smile to those around you. Congrats on the move to ACH!! Love from Netty and family

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  8. Samuel . . . Happy Valentine's Day!!! and of course to all your brothers, mom and dad . . . . . UJ

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  9. thinking of you with love this valentine's day!!!
    xoxoxox j

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