It is just over half way through the day on our first day at the Kartini Clinic. It was a rough morning, after a worried, mostly sleepless night. We got up at 5:30 AM to make sure we got through Portland traffic and got to the clinic on time. Then, we had a bit of stressful waiting for when they would take Amelia back to get her NG tube in. When the moment came, we decide we would encourage Amelia that she was a brave girl, that she would be good, and that the people here are all here to help her and take care of her. Then she went off with a nurse to the lab to get her NG tube put in. It was quiet for a while, and then we heard the crying and screaming from the back room. It is amazing that, through multiple walls, dulled by the passing, you can STILL tell your child's voice from a distance. It was heart-wrenching. It went on for a couple of minutes, and then died off. I was worried because it was 10-15 minutes after that before we heard anything else.
Soon, the door to the lab area opened, and out came Amelia, NG tube in place, tears in the eyes, but no trip to the ER necessary, and Sheryll, our amazing nurse, giving us the thumbs up behind her. Amelia had been a trooper. She had listened to everything she was told about the NG tube, about what she would or would not have to deal with when it was in, and was very calm. It wasn't until it initially went in that the screaming began, and fortunately that actually helped get the tube in easier and faster. After that, there was some tears, but she calmed down and talked to the doctor for a bit. When she came back out, she snuggled with me and with mom for a bit, and then we went up stairs to meet the rest of her group and start to distract with play and art, and animals and all kinds of things.
We watched her for a bit, made sure she was starting to integrate into the group, starting to not pay attention to the tube coming out of her face, and starting to calm down. When we left, there were still a few sniffles from time to time, but there was also a lot of playing. This is good. This is really good.
The rest of our morning has consisted of talking to family, insurance, work, friends, business office at the clinic, and just trying to get as much information as we can. The clinic has been amazing at working with us to help us feel comfortable, make sure that we understand the financial obligations and working with us to make sure we can make payments, get everything taken care of, all while making sure that we are not spiraling down a dark hole of anxiety.
Just a little bit ago, I went up and checked on Amelia, peaking in so she didn't see me, and she had been doing art, and was currently sitting on the floor playing with some hopping frogs. She seemed to be doing really well. This helped my sense of calm so much. My daughter was not being tortured, she was not in distress. She was being taken excellent care of, and having a wonderful time playing.
To the people at Kartini Clinic, all I can say is you are amazing! From the reception desk, to the business office, the animal therapy, the nursing and doctoral staff, the people watching over our daughter during the day. You have all done such excellent work at calming the nerves of terrified parents, of helping a little girl start down the road to a healthy future. Thank you so much!
Thinking of you all and praying!
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