Late last night Alden whispered in my ear, “Please don’t take me to the doctor.” I did what I’d been promising myself I would not, which was to make him a guarantee. I told him that they would not put another tube down his nose. I didn’t make any promises about needles or hospitals or anything else, but if one thing has come to represent the most miserable parts of his passage through the Knoxville medical system it was that NG tube. The inserting it. The having it. All of it. I can’t see why we would need to do that again, and if I’m wrong they may need to tranquilize us both.
He’s symptom-free right now, although we have decided not to give him the Zofran tonight so that may change. We’re not trying to instigate anything, but it seems wise to make sure there are no medicines onboard when they see him for the first time.
I don’t know what to expect. Will they give him an exam and then shrug and tell us to come back if he starts vomiting again? Will they admit him to the hospital and wait to see what happens? Will they schedule a series of tests that will keep us in Cincinnati for next week or even longer? I’ve lived with the uncertainty for two weeks, so I’m trying to parcel this off in my brain and wait patiently for 16 more hours or so. I’ve packed up my computer and work notebook, counting my lucky blessings I have the kind of work and the kind of boss that makes it possible for me to set up a remote office.
The 2am Zofran works. I’d really like to wave a “Nothing to see here” hand over Alden and just commit to doing this forever. Except for how that’s crazy.
The doctor we’re seeing tomorrow got his MD and his PhD in the same year (I Googled him, naturally). Surely he can figure this out.
Alden has no intention of eating hospital food. The empty spot on his plate was the toast.
jaysaint 
Posted by S. on February 9, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Such a sweet face.
Everything is going to be okay. We’re all willing it so.
Posted by Jennie B. on February 9, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Hoping you find some answers! Will be thinking of you all day.
Posted by Brian Patrick Flynn on February 9, 2012 at 9:38 pm
It sounds like him being symptom-free during all of this is definitely going be a major plus. So smart to do it now versus waiting until that cute, little bossypants may be feeling as ill as he was weeks back. Now I am going to stalk you on the Facebook, waiting for grabby updates and/or clarity/closure.
Posted by Rachel on February 9, 2012 at 10:12 pm
All of us are praying and loving all of you. HUGE hugs to mommy and daddy, we can’t imagine what you guys have been through, but our hearts have been with you every day. Alden is amazing, tough, scrappy and hilarious, and he will come through with flying colors. We pray for clear and definitive answers with NO nose tubes. Not for nothing, I had lunch today with a lovely cultured man in his 60s, who mentioned that he threw up in the middle of the night periodically when he was a kid. He said he got really good at just getting up, going to the bathroom, ‘assuming the position’ and then going back to sleep without waking his parents. And nothing every came of it.
We love you lots.
Posted by Jeannie on February 10, 2012 at 11:27 am
Good luck!!!!!
Posted by Pattie on February 10, 2012 at 7:26 pm
Praying you get some answers and that little Alden is sent on his road to recovery ASAP.