D-Day

Evicted from the Hospital

Friday, May 23, 2014 - Discharge Day

You would think Adam and I would be thrilled about this, however that was the furthest emotion from our being.  We were worried, concerned, anxious, hopeful and a mix of many other emotions.  But thrilled was not one of those emotions.  We simply felt that Cecilia was not ready to come home - Needless to say, it did not matter what we felt, because Cecilia was pushed out.  

Adam and I arrived on evening of Thursday, May 22, 2014 for our overnight stay in the hospital with Cecilia - Basically we needed to prove we were capable of caring for our own daughter.  The hospital calls it "Rooming In" and we did this Zoe and Isabelle (after fighting to have the ability to do so).  Given Cecilia's chronic medical conditions, it was not a bad idea: Sadly, it just was not presented in the nicest way possible.

Anyway, we arrived on Thursday night and notice Cecilia had an intermittent cough.  We asked about it and were told not to worry - However the cough was getting progressively worse as the night wore into the next morning.  During morning rounds we again voiced our concerns regarding her cough, but were brushed off.  Yes the doctors listened to Cecilia but denied anything being wrong with her.  

We were not released from the hospital until about 4 p.m. Friday afternoon after having to meet with multiple specialists.  Cecilia also had many visitors who wanted to say good-bye ~ She was a very popular little patient.

During this whole time, Adam and I were worried about Cecilia but the doctors kept saying she was fine.  Our parental intuition said something was off but sometimes when a person's mind is made up, nothing is going to change it.  The doctors had decided it was time to send Cecilia home and it did not matter that circumstances had changed.

We arrived home in Eau Claire at approximately 6:30 p.m. with Cecilia - who was coughing worse than ever.  We tried to chalk it up to parental insecurities but we knew better.  By 7 a.m. the next morning, we were sitting in the ED (Emergency Department) in Eau Claire with Cecilia who was in visible respiratory distress.  

6.5 hours later we finally left the Eau Claire ED, exhausted and frustrated.  Cecilia had a respiratory infection - Yes Mayo Rochester sent her home with a respiratory infection.  Not only were we scared for Cecilia, but now we had to worry about the exposure level for Zoe and Isabelle.  Something Mayo Rochester failed to care about.

Let me clarify, there are some truly amazing doctors and nurses at Mayo Rochester - and we have been very blessed to have so many wonderful people care for our children. However, there are some doctors who live inside their own little bubble, failing to understand the potential consequences of their decisions.  It is these individuals who are challenging and frustrating and infuriating.  

At the end of the day, Adam and I just want what is best for our little girl, and it seemed as if what was best for Cecilia simply did not coincide with what was already put into motion.  So instead of celebrating having Cecilia home, we were going to the ED.