MRI

Today was Cameron's brain MRI. We had to check into the hospital at 6:30 this morning and we got home about 10:00. 

I was so worried, and so scared, and I know Dan was worried too. Thankfully, Dan and Dad gave Cameron and myself a blessing last weekend, and Dad gave Dan one too. It made this horribly long and difficult week easier to bear. 

Being told there is a possibility that something is wrong with your child's brain is a terrible thing. Knowing he stops breathing at night is a terrible thing. I don't know why he has had a rough first year, but I do know things happen for a reason. 

The MRI itself wasn't the scary part. Waiting for results and the preparation for the MRI were. Because the machine is so loud, and so closed in, and because you have to hold completely and perfectly still for an MRI, they had to put Cam under general anesthesia. 

He couldn't have anything to eat or drink, and he is recovering from a bit of a viral infection, so last night he was miserable. His reflux was worse because there was nothing we could give him to fill his stomach and calm it down. I didn't get any sleep, Dan got only a couple hours. I couldn't put him down because he was so upset from not feeling his best and from being hungry and thirsty. When we all got home from the hospital today, we all crashed. I haven't slept that hard and deep for over a year. It was only a 3 hour nap, but definitely better than nothing! 

For the anesthesia, they just used gas to knock him out. They let me hold him while they did it, and he was not happy about the mask. It was one of the longest minutes of my life waiting for the gas to work while he was upset. Once he was out, I almost lost it because I could just feel him go limp. It was so scary. Our anesthesiologist was so nice, and so good, with a high reputation at Primary Children's and he made me so much more at ease. I told him that it has never been without a fight that I could put him down. 

His MRI took about 40 minutes, and then we got to go to recovery while he woke up. That anesthesia sure did make for a groggy and grumpy day!

Here he is while we were meeting with the nurse practitioner for a final health exam for the procedure and with the anesthesiologist. 

We are becoming way too familiar with doctor's offices, and Cam really loves the stools. 

Here is my sweet boy just after he got knocked out! 

Crashed! Thank heavens for rest and cuddles!

I was thinking that we would have to wait a few days at least to hear about the results, but Dr. Tan's nurse called me this evening and went over the results with me. 

YAY for a normal brain! So relieved!!!! 

Dr. Tan said now that we can cross off the serious brain possibilities, and his tonsil and adenoids, we can now pinpoint that his issues with sleep are from his reflux. It has never been under great control, and now after meeting with the specialists, we found out that the reflux can actually cause the central sleep apnea. The plan for now is to see gastroenterology specialists to get his reflux resolved/managed, then work on his sleep from there!

I am so so grateful for prayer, for family and friends, and for all the love, concern, support, and prayers we have felt this week. It has been rough and we aren't in the all clear yet but we are getting answers, and answers with managable treatment options!