Bronchoscopy

On Monday we took our 12 week old son to the Royal Brompton hospital for his bronchoscopy and pH test and were a very apprehensive. The doctor's had briefly mentioned it in past clinics but no-one had talked to us about it in detail. Even after receiving the letter confirming the date the staff still didn't elaborate on when he could be fed afterwards or tips to help in hospital and for parents it is a very anxious and worrying time taking your tiny baby into hospital. Once again the feeling that we are being not told certain information so as not to scare us , leaves us feeling more alone and more worried.
I searched the Internet for any more information on how to deal with a baby going in for a bronchoscopy but found nothing except medical terms which was very frustrating so I wanted to detail what exactly happened and how to prepare:

• 7am feed

• 8am fasting only a small amount of water 

• 10am came into hospital. There was a bed shortage so we were taken to the playroom to wait. The playroom was really great,there were loads of toys for babies and children, fibre optic lights, coloured bubble machine, chairs and tables and paints, it was nice to see how much effort is made and nice to know when he gets older he will have access to a wonderful, fun play area in the hospital. We had an awkward CF encounter though as a mum and baby entered the playroom and we didn't know whether to mention our child has CF and did her's? In the end the nurse could see we were worried and said I know what you're thinking and not to worry its fine.

• 11am we were taken to the ward and introduced to a kind and friendly nurse who measured height and weight. 

• 11.30am had last little bit of water. I had brought aptamil ready made bottles and our own sterilized Dr Brown's bottles for all the feeds but they did provide bottles and sterile water and aptamil milk if we had forgotten which was helpful.

• Midday Doctors came in to talk to us about the operation, a tube is inserted down and a little camera looks into his lungs, they spray the lungs and collect samples. Then a doctor came in from Imperial College London and explained that they also take surplus samples and blood samples for research only with our consent. The anaesthetist prepared us for what Henry may do when the mask put on him, shake abit, go red, roll his eyes back and that we would likely get very upset. We were given a tiny gown to put him in, which was so small and sweet but also so sad that there are such things for tiny babies.

• 2pm went down to the operating area.  About 15 doctors and nurses just stared at me all looking concerned by frankly it was just unwanted and their curiosity felt invasive. They put a tiny mask on him and it wasn't nice to see him go red and strain and fight against the inhaling gas. But as I always feel in hospitals with Henry, it's not me that's has to go through it, it's him, and I must be positive and supportive infront him whatever age he is. They ushered me out fairly quickly after and again all the nurses and doctors looked at me to see my reaction, I wish they'd just looked away or pretended to be busy so I didn't have to see their concerned faces. 

• 3pm very quickly we were told we could go and collect him. It was so amazing to rush down and see our little boy and we could hear his cries immediately and the nurses struggling to keep him calm. He had a mild rash that they were concerned about but it went fairly quickly and the wonderful nurse from the ward pushed hard for a doctor to look at it just incase it was a bad reaction to the gas. He had a tube from his nose, behind his ear, to the pH monitor which we had to carry over our shoulder. It was quick awkward to hold and cuddle him from fear of pulling out the tube! He also had his hands bandaged with plastic tubes coming out incase he needed an IV and fluids and also to stop his pulling out his nose tube with his hands.

• 3.30pm the doctor came back to tell us the results, which so far were good, his lungs seemed fine and no surprises.

The rest of the evening he was quite sleepy, we kept to the normal feeding times and he fed well. Luckily we were in a room to ourselves so my husband did the 11pm feed and then left, we live 10mins from the hospital so he slept at home and I slept in a bed next to Henry. It felt like being back in the labour ward as there were lights on in the corridors and nurses kept coming in during the night to check his heart rate. The morning was the usual, hubby brought coffee and breakfast in but tea and toast was offered by the hospital which was nice. His IV tubes were removed and I could put on some nice mittens to stop him pulling out his nose tube, small touches like this make it feel more homely and normal. 

2.30pm Last checks of the baby by the nurse, she also took his tube out which he cried for but it was very quick and then we were able to hold and cuddle him properly which he loved.

Overall it wasn't too bad, but it does remind me that as much as you try to make hospitals homely its always difficult due to lights/noises etc It was lovely getting back home but the thought that this isn't just a one-off and because of the CF we will all be experiencing hospitals alot more is quite difficult to come to terms with.  

I really hope this helps anyone preparing to take their child in for the Bronchoscopy and pH test :)