The Doctor Departs

As I mentioned before in a previous post, Dr. Nesslein was going to have to leave us and go to another hospital. Well that day has finally come. Monday was her last day with us so we tried to get her something so she would remember how special she was to us. I had the black and white photo of Miranda and Brayden blown up, inscribed and framed. When we gave it to her Sunday night she looked like she was on the verge of tears. It means alot to us to know that Brayden had such an impact on her. Dr. Nesslein told us that earlier that day she had gone into Pod 8 just to hold him for a little while. Awhile back I spoke with Dr. Nesslein about the possibility of wheeling Brayden over to the main door and letting Payton look at him through the windows. They have changed the visitation policy so that people can now come and visit, however siblings under the age of 13 are still not allowed. Dr. Nesslein had spoken to several people to find out if it was ok and when she got the okay, we had already left for the day so we didn't find out until just a couple of days ago. She asked what Payton thought about seeing Brayden and we were lost, then she told us it was ok to bring him up there so we did on Monday.

Monday we took turns visiting because we had Payton with us. Firs thing we did was get Brayden ready and over to the window for Payton to see. He was so excited he just kept saying he was so cute and he was so adorable. He stared at him through the window for about 2 minutes. When we went to sit back down in the waiting room, I swear he was tearing up a little. He wants to play with him so bad.

Miranda got to talk to Dr. Nesslein for a little bit about what she thought about Brayden and how soon he might be coming home. She told Miranda that it would not surprise her to see him home this weekend. Can you believe it?? Miranda told me about a conversation that Dr. Nesslein had with Dr. Worsley (Payton's Pediatrician) and I just had to share it with everyone. First a little history on Dr. Worsley. He has been Payton's doctor ever since he left the NICU and has seen many of the struggles we have gone through and continue to go through with Payton. That being said, here is my understanding of how the conversation went. I may be a little off on the exact words that were said, but this is what I believe was said.

Dr. N "Hi Dr. Worsley, this is Dr. Nesslein calling. Do you know a patient by the name of Payton Leija?"
Dr. W "Yes I do why?"
Dr. N "Well he has a little brother now."
Dr. W "OH NO!!, you are calling me from the NICU aren't you?"
Dr. N "Yes I am."
Dr. W "Oh crap...how early was he?"
Dr. N "30 weeks"
Dr. W "Good!!! 30 is a lot better than 23"
Dr. N "True but he has had 3 pneumos and 5 chest tubes. So he has had his ups and downs..."

and that is when Dr. Nesslein filled him in on all of Brayden's history. I'm sorry I just thought that this was funny. Maybe you have to be Miranda and I to get it, but it was funny.

Dr. Maio has been placed as Brayden's primary now that Dr. Nesslein has left us. When I spoke to Dr. Maio yesterday afternoon, he told me that he was very please with Bryaden's progress and thought that Bryaden would be able to come home Thursday. I said whoa, whoa, WHOA, do what? We are not ready his room is not complete, we don't have a mattress for him to sleep on. He kind of laughed at me and asked me how long would it take to get finished. I told him we should be done by Thursday and that we could room in on Friday, and bring him home Saturday. He told me we would talk Wed. morning and assess the situation then.

I want him to come home so much, but this all kind of snuck up on us. We don't have the important things we need for him yet. Keep an eye out for more information on Bryaden's homecoming and pictures of his final days in the NICU.