Chapter 4: Look What I Found
Helga was laying on the table in the hospital room they had prepared for her. It was bad enough she was going through the procedure, she had an additional problem to deal with…
"Don't worry baby sister! I won't let go of your hand!" Olga assured her.
The frustrated pre-teen rolled her eyes, thinking to herself…
The only good that can come of this, is that I won't be awake for it
Moments later, the doctor inserted the anesthesia, and Helga was out.
The doctor continued to notice Olga clenching her sister's hand and said "She's no longer awake. Your sister won't feel any pain during the procedure if you'd like to have a seat over there Ms. Pataki."
Olga didn't like the idea of letting go of Helga's hand, but they eventually implied that she was just getting in their way.
Phoebe's House
After taking Helga her homework assignment, Phoebe decided to review the sheets she had printed about her procedure…
Two days before the procedure – Your child will be on a clear liquid diet for two days beforehand.
One day before – Your child will be admitted to the hospital for a bowel clean out. An IV will be started for giving fluids and medicine.
A special bowel medicine will be given to completely empty the colon.
IV antibiotics will be given before the procedure and continued for 48 to 72 hours after the C-tube is placed. This is done to prevent any infection related to the insertion procedure.
If it is done in Interventional Radiology, the procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes. If it cannot be done in Radiology, your child may be taken to the Operating Room to have the C-tube placed.
Your child will stay in the hospital for 2 to 3 days to complete IV antibiotics.
Care at HomeDuring the first two weeks after the procedure, your child should avoid taking a bath. Ask the doctor if a shower is okay. After two weeks, the sutures (stitches) will be removed and your child may bathe, shower and swim.
Skin CareThe first C-tube is a temporary catheter. You will need to change the dressing and clean the area around the tube at least once a day or whenever it gets damp, soiled or loose.
You Will Need:Cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
½ strength peroxide (peroxide mixed with an equal amount of water)
Clean, disposable cup
Polysporin® or Neosporin® ointment
Tape or self-adhesive dressing to cover
2x2 split gauze squares
To clean the site and change the dressing:
Wash your hands well with soap and water.
Carefully remove the old dressing, making sure not to pull on the C-tube when removing the tape. Never use scissors. You could damage the C-tube by mistake.
Check the area for redness, swelling, pain, drainage or loose sutures. Let your doctor know if these occur.
Pour equal amounts of peroxide and tap water into the cup to make half-strength peroxide.
Using cotton swabs, carefully clean the area around the opening with half-strength peroxide. Use a circular motion and work outward from the center
Dry the area using another cotton swab.
Squeeze a thin layer of Neosporin® or Polysporin® onto a cotton swab and apply to the site.
Place clean, 2x2 gauze around tube.
Secure with tape or self-adhesive dressing. Be sure to secure the tube well to skin
As she sat reading over this, Phoebe could only imagine how embarrassed Helga would be feeling.
Hospital
Olga sat, worrying about Helga, while something was going on inside her sister's head…
What have you been hiding from me Helga?
Nothing football head. I was just sick for a few days, that's all!
Why would you lie to me about something like that?
Oh gimme a break Arnold! You know I don't like sharing personal problems!
Why should we even be together then? Why should we…
"Okay, we're through!" Helga heard someone say, as she slowly opened her eyes.
Olga took that as her que to run over and wrap her arms around her sister's neck. "Oh baby sister! I'm so happy you're awake! I'm so happy…"
"Criminy get off me! Are you trying to break my neck?!" Helga snapped, not wanting another reason to have to stay in there.
Although she was still a little dizzy from the medications, Helga sat up and said "Alright let's get out of this dump."
"I'm afraid you'll still be here for another two or three days." The doctor began to explain.
Helga looked over in the direction of her annoying sister and snapped "Criminy! What for?"
"Although the tube has been inserted, it will require an additional forty eight hours to complete the IV antibiotics."
After listening to the nurse's explanation, Helga laid back under the covers muttering to herself…
Criminy! I can't believe this is happening to me!
"So, what the heck am I supposed to do until then?"
Before the nurse could reply, Olga jumped up to say "I know! I'll go home and get us some fun books to read and games to play! Don't worry baby sister, I'll be right back!"
After rolling her eyes at her giddy sister, Helga laid alone in bed thinking about her dream.
Maybe I have been too secretive around Arnold. He's the most caring person I know. Once I get better, I'll tell him the truth. Something tells me I won't be able to hide this for an entire year.
Thirty Minutes Later
Hospital
"I'm back baby sister!"
Olga walked in to see the IV meds hadn't completely worn off her sister yet. Rather than waking Helga up, she sat down in the chair with the supplies she brought from their house.
"I can't wait to go through these things with her! Cards, board games, and all these pretty books that were in her closet!"
