One Day

Has it really only been 29 hours? Yesterday morning at our initial visit to the new pediatrician's office, a question threw me. "Has he ever had his head shape evaluated," she asked, referring to 15-month-old Zyle. Before we finished the visual examination of Zyle, I had asked her to explain two more times about the possible fusion of head plates and how that prevents the brain and head from having room to grow. There's definitely a factor in hearing unexpected bad news where you just aren't sure you're processing what is being said.

Two hours later, I'm calling again. Fortunately I hadn't gotten further than across the street to have lunch. Seth came to join us after this harrowing two-hour visit to a new pediatrician, complete with shots, cries, and scary pronouncements. They didn't give me the referral form to get an X-ray at Egleston. Seth had taken the kids in his car after lunch. I called, then went over to the doctor's office, then waited another 20 minutes for them to -- apparently -- fill out a form I was supposed to have been given before I left in the morning.

Seth drove around while Zyle napped in the back seat, having dropped a protesting Jex off at the school. ("Daddy, I want to take care of Zyle!") By 4:00 we were at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA)/Egleston campus, admissions, then radiology. The place was practically empty; 4:00 on a Thursday afternoon is a good time. Zyle screamed while we got the X-ray, but it didn't take long. We were out of the parking deck in less than an hour. Picked up Jex and came home.

I looked up craniosynostosis, which was written on the form. Started to understand a bit more. Seth began to make contingency plans for events some weeks from now, and I snapped at him that we aren't there yet. Usually I'm the one who is doing "worst case scenario."

The radiology department had said our doc's office could have the results by tomorrow (today), so check with them. I didn't even have to call. A different pediatrician called me this morning to say that yes, it does appear that the bones are fused. The fused part is along the sagittal suture. By now, of course, we knew that. Looking at the profile pictures of babies with this condition it is so obviously Zyle.

Seth and I conference called the neurosurgery department at CHOA, which is up at Scottish Rite, and found out the first available appointment is September 10th. This is for the neurosurgeon I had found last night named in the Top 50 Doctors in Atlanta. I asked if any others were available earlier, and the appointment secretary (who was not the warmest or friendliest person we have encountered) said the first available dates were September 4, 9, and 11 for the other doctors. I kept the 10th.

to be continued....