A Family Crisis

[justagirl4fun]

"Ava, do you need to go to the ladies room?" Edith asked, noticing her granddaughter squirm.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava shook her head, wanting to wait until the credits were over. When the lights finally came up, she hppped off the seat and fumbled with her shoes. "Grandma potty!"

[justagirl4fun]

Edith shoved Ava's boots on her feet and scooped the girl up. She hurried to the restroom and was dismayed to see a fairly long line.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava frowned at the long line in the bathroom. She was able to hold it long enough for about one person to go in and out before she started to wet her pajamas. She blushed and tried to cover her pants.

[justagirl4fun]

Eventually a door opened and it was their turn. "Down there," Edith said, unaware of Ava's accident as she guided her to the available stall.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava burst into tears when her grandmother directed her. She felt embarrassed. "I sorry grandma!@

[justagirl4fun]

"Sorry for wha...oh, Ava!" Edith exclaimed when she looked down and saw Ava's wet pajama pants. "I asked you if you had to go earlier! I guess this means we're not going out to lunch," she added sternly.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava sobbed. She felt bad for not having gone earlier, but also was upset because she could've held it if there wasn't such a long line. She nodded and stared down at her feet.

[justagirl4fun]

"Come on, let's go home." Edith took Ava's hand and walked her to the car, then looked around for some plastic bags to put on Ava's seat before she got in.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava sniffed and stayed quiet the rest of the car ride home. She was embarrassed and very upset about her accident and the fact she couldn't have her parents with he r

[justagirl4fun]

Once home Edith got Ava cleaned up and changed into dry clothes. "Okay, what do you want for lunch? There's Mac and cheese, PB and J, or chicvken nuggets," she said after surveying the fridge, freezer and pantry.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava felt a little better once she was in clean clothes. She kept her bunny close all afternoon. "Nuggets please grandma." She said quietly.

[justagirl4fun]

Edith cooked the chicken nuggets along with some French fries and broccoli and cut up some apple wedges. "Lunch is ready!" She called once it was on the table.

[Shy-Diapers]

Ava climbed up to the table and ate her lunch quietly. She held her stuffed bunny in her lap still.

[justagirl4fun]

(okay)

The doctor finally returned in the early evening. "Okay, I've met with all the therapists. If you're on board, we'd like to discharge her from the SICU in the morning and transfer her to the rehab unit. She would receive PT and OT twice a day, every day for the next two weeks. She will also work with the speech and language pathologist daily. As of right now the SLP says she can not be given anything to eat or drink outside of therapy as she is having a great deal of trouble coordinating chewing and swallowing and is at risk for aspirating. For the time being we will use a NG tube, which goes in her nose and down to her stomach, to feed her. However, the NG tube isn't a good long-term option, so the SLP will reasses her in a week and if there is little or no improvement we will have to consider a PEG tube. She would need surgery to place a port on her belly so the tube can go directly to her stomach."

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian frowned. "We want her to get the best treatment and everything, but is there a way she can get this treatment done closer to home? It's so close to the holidays and we have a four-year-old. We don't want to risk her health though."

[justagirl4fun]

"If you prefer, of course you can have her transferred closer to home," the doctor admitted. "Technically, she'll probably be okay to go home in another couple days if you're willing to drive back and forth to therapy twice a day. But our therapists here have all specialized in pediatric therapy. You probably won't get that anywhere at home. But it's up to you."

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian frowned. She looked to her husband. She didn't know if it was better to have their baby here or closer to home. She wanted her to have the best care, but wanted to take card of Ava.

[justagirl4fun]

"Look, I know this place has state-of-the-art equipment, and is up on the best treatments and all, but I think she'll be fine at the hospital near us. It's up to you, honey, but I don't really think two weeks here is necessary..."

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian nodded. "I agree. It may not be super fancy, but we have a hospital closer to our home. And I think it would help our daughter to be closer to home anyway." She decided finally.

[justagirl4fun]

The doctor frowned and sighed. "As you wish. I'll have the caseworker set up the transfer," he said rather coolly before leaving.

[Shy-Diapers]

Lil looked to her husband. Did they really make the right decision? "I hope this was the right choice." She brushed some hair from her baby's face.

[justagirl4fun]

"Honey, it'll be fine. Ava and both of our families will be able to visit her there. It'll be good for her. I'm sure they're great here, but how much of a difference can it really make?"

[Shy-Diapers]

Lillian nodded. She was feeling better once the nurse seemed to be more positive. "I think she'll heal better when she's somewhere closer to home." She said finally.

[justagirl4fun]

The rest of the day passed uneventfully, with Scarlett spending a good chunk of it sleeping. The next morning everything was fine during rounds, so after packing up the few things he has at the hotel Sean took off to pick Ava up from pre-K as promised, leaving Lillian to ride in the ambulance with Scarlett once she was discharged.