Yesterday, Better Day

Yesterday was a better day. Loki was alert, relaxed, suckling on the breast and looking so, so much better. He is just so incredibly cute.

However, everybody knows I am that mom. I saw more hand washing throughout the day though. Especially the nurse who worked with Loki. Towards the end of the day she even started using the anti-bacterial gel I put at his bed side. Hygiene is still much less meticulous than at Alta Bates (e.g. putting dirty diapers on a napkin in the crib right above babies' heads, not wiping wires when they fall on the floor before putting them back in the crib etc.). I spoke with a variety of people about this issue (nurses, charge nurses, nurse manager and some of the doctors) and am still going to try to talk to one of the two directors. An email went out from the nurse manager to all her staff to remind of hand washing. In addition, a sign was posted above Loki's bed to warn about the spread of germs and wash hands meticulously. It is a bit of a shame they just post this at Loki's bed because as the issue is quite pervasive. Other kids are as important to their parents as Loki is for us. But, it is a start and at least people will be reminded when working with him.

It was helpful to see my worries confirmed by nurse Amber who visited Loki yesterday. I am not just a mom who is freaking out. I was so happy to see her, and it was great to see Loki respond to her. He was very alert and when I needed to eat a quick bite, they were able to cuddle up together. Loki was looking around with his cute little eyes, so much more relaxed than he has been for the past days. His face is much less puffy, even less so then over the past few weeks. This could confirm the theory that the issue was slowly building up; part of his chubbiness was probably fluid build up. It has been great to see all these AB people and talk to them on the phone. It relieves a bit of the sadness. And fortunately, the day nurse started warming up towards the end of the day, whereas the evening nurse was just really nice and good.

However, there seem to be some logistical problems which the nurses cannot necessarily help. For example, anti bacterial gel is not located within hand reach from the cribs/tables/isolets. This does not encourage people to use it when they are working at the bedside, as they have to walk a few steps. It doesn't seem much to do so, but when you are working with a child and the crib is open, you can't walk away. However, The doctor who dealt with Loki when he was so sick at AB, stopped by and emphasized that the infection rate at Children's is not any different from Alta Bates. Let's hope so!

Graciela stopped by as well, and when I needed to pump, she sat next to Loki's bed and sang songs to him. It was wonderful to see her, and it was great to have somebody there with Loki when I was away from his bed.

The nurse whom I personally addressed the second night spoke with me when I bumped into her at the cafeteria. She was quite upset that I had told the nurse manager and charge nurse, and kept repeating she did not have anything contagious. It took some patience from my part, and after explaining several times it has nothing to do with anybody being contagious at this particular moment, but with safe practices in general, she seemed to feel very guilty she had even brought it up. I told her I understood she was very upset and frustrated with me, that I do not enjoy being the trouble maker mom (I am a human being and REALLY like to be liked). However, I hoped she understood I want to be able to hold my baby in my arms safe and sound for the rest of my life. The conversation ended with her offering to primary Loki. We both agreed it was smart to think about that first!

Anyway, we are a few days into our Children's Hospital adventure and I am hoping it won't take much more time then a week or so before we can move to the next step.