I’d sat both Olivia and Xavier down two days prior to explain what was happening on Wednesday 11th March. I was sad as I had to return Xavier to his Dad a day earlier than normal but he put it into “kid perspective” pretty quick….thinking there may be some lolly treats in it for him. Olivia’s first question was whether we’d get to see Uncle Warren, seemingly carefree of the actual reason for going to Auckland.
I was anticipating some nerves when I woke on Wednesday about 3 hours before I needed to but wasn't expecting the blank accepting numbness that I felt instead. Olivia was typically excited and like a seasoned traveller marched around the airport while waiting to fly out. She kept everyone entertained with her constant chatter and giggles as the plane took of and landed. Thankfully, as I didn’t have a conversation in me at all….the joys of being a 6 year old!
We were met at Starship by Uncle Warren & Lhorna who had come in to have some lunch with us. It was lovely to see some family support and be given a hug when I needed one. All too soon we were called in to see the Chief of Cardiothorasic surgery.
I was thankful when Dr Finucane made a connection with Olivia first, it left me in no doubt that we weren’t just a “case” or “number” and that she saw Olivia as a person. The head nurse did the obligatory observations, blood pressure, oxygen saturation levels, ecg etc, before we took Olivia off to meet the play therapists in the play room. Dr Finucane and I returned to her office to talk about “what next”. That’s when that blank accepting numbness turned into nerves.
It was relief that Dr Finucane had been in touch with the specialists at Great Ormand Street Hospital in London (Thanks again Mike & Tiina Thornton!!!!) and after exchanging case studies and opinions, the Starship team have come to the same conclusion as the board of specialists at Great Ormand Street Hospital. It was an even bigger relief to get an apology from Dr Finucane. Dr Finucane felt that a lack of understanding of Olivia’s symptoms and misinterpretation of facts between the various departments involved in her care meant what was relayed back to me was not a fully informed opinion. I felt vindicated that I’d pushed for more advice, albeit outside of New Zealand.
So on that note, Olivia needs a pneunomectomy (lung removal) with some heart remediation as well. She is listed as Priority 1 which means they could be doing her surgery within a month & preferably before winter. Olivia’s heart has shifted so instead of it being slightly to the left of your chest hers is more central. The removal of the right lung could cause her heart to shift further & twist. If this happens post surgery they will insert a prosthetic in place. They are reluctant to insert a foreign object so soon after removal as her body may reject it. And as we know with the horror leaky breast implants of the 80’s, the thought of something like that happening is abhorrent. The less trauma to her the better!
For now we wait…..Dr Finucane has to relate all this information to Olivia’s dad in the hope that he agrees this is necessary. So until then, I sit, I wait and try and keep Olivia well in the mean time. Olivia knows she has a lung that’s “not good” and in the shuttle back to the airport she asked me what was going to happen to it. I was as honest as I could, telling her the doctors wanted to take that bad lung out which will make her feel much better. She simply replied “ok”. How simple things are at that age.
Last night, mentally and emotionally drained, I couldn’t switch my brain off, so much running through my head & heart. I must have stared at the ugly bedroom chandelier (don’t ask) for about 6 hours. I couldn’t face work today, I woke feeling sick, tired & drained. Work has been my saviour for the last year, I’m grateful for my Area Team, especially my boss Dave Berry (Area Commander) and Jim Ryeburn at the New Zealand Fire Service. Without their support, I can’t imagine being able to do work justice and still do what I do to be a good Mum
So along with Mum, Dad, Joella, Tom, Mike & Tiina, Uncle Warren & Lhorna, NZFS and all the other well-wishers, I can’t thank you enough for the support so far.
Next stage.......coming soon
