Monday, November 02, 2009

We Have a Lot to be Thankful For.

I have to say, these last few days are days I hope to never repeat. I took Thing Three to the Dr. on Thursday, because he had a fever and a cough, and she told us to call if he got worse. Well, he got WAY worse. His fever spiked and he couldn't breathe well, and it hurt. Turns out he had a partially collapsed lung, and pneumonia, and H1N1.

We went in an ambulance to Children's Hospital, where he's been in the pediatric ICU since Friday. He's in isolation, and everyone has to suit up like astronauts just to come in and take his vitals. Poor kid. He had tubes coming out of everywhere (and going "in" everywhere) and two IVs and a feeding tube and he had to be hooked up to a bi-pap machine. Then they inserted a tube and drained a liter and a half of fluid from his lung. THEN it turns out he has an air leak in his weak lung and with the pressure from the breathing machine the air was escaping into his body and he puffed up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Boy. Only with a fever of 104.

Four days later, he's a little better, although he's suffering from what the nurses call "ICU Psychosis" at night (which resembles good old-fashioned Night Terrors) and he is coughing up FECES (I swear, that's what the crud looks like). And he is having a ct tomorrow because they found something "suspicious" on his lung, that apparently doesn't belong.

In short, we're ready for him to be all better and come home, and it looks like we've got a long road ahead of us. But he's getting better each day, and that is something to celebrate.

I appreciate the outpouring of love and well wishes you all have sent, in emails and phone calls. I know we have a lot of people pulling for Thing Three and we have faith he will recover from this and be back to his active, happy and slightly annoying eight-year old self once more.

We love you, Thing Three!!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! Poor guy! We are praying for him! Hang in there!

Lowa said...

OH MY WORD! I am in tears here. This is horrible. Thank goodness he is in good hands and being cared for really well. Was he in pain from the air leaking into his body? During one of my son's surgeries they had to puff him up with air (I think it was just air) and then it gets absorbed by the muscles and apparently is incredibly painful.

How are the sibs handling it?? I know it is scary when a sibling is ill, especially THAT ill.

I am praying for all of you and I know all will be well soon. I bet he has a room full of balloons, stuffed animals and treats eh??

PLEASE be sure to keep us updated.

*HUG*

Lowa said...

Wait...isn't his 9th birthday soon? Why am I thinking it is coming up very soon? I think he and Princess are VERY close in age and she just turned 9 on Oct. 10th.

The Bean Cassarole said...

You already know this, but Dan and I and his whole family (and even thier church) are all having him in our prayers.

We love you and if you need someone to talk to, you know you can call me anytime, and I'll just listen.

Love you and the rest of the family!

-Sis

Devon Ellington said...

We love him, we love you, and we're pulling for you.

Anonymous said...

Thanks goodness you updated your blog! I was getting whiplash checking my email every two minutes.

I'm so glad he's getting better. What a tough little guy, right! I hope the mass on his lung will be gone (meaning a product of the pneumonia)and he'll be back to normal soon.

Here's to getting well and getting home.

Michelle Miles said...

POOR BABY!!! I've been so worried about him and you and I hope he gets well VERY VERY soon. HUGS!! Keep us posted when you can. XOXOX

Lee Anne said...

Prayers going up from Connecticut for a speedy recovery. Sending best wishes to you and your family!

Chris said...

Hey sis, I know he will get better and that the power of prayer is amazing. I love you and stay strong. You guys are in my thoughts and prayers every day.

Aimee said...

Oh my! This is AWFUL! This swine flu thing has me totally freaked out. I'm so glad you're in a place with excellent medical care and medicines. We're all praying for you and Thing Three. Keep us updated.

Lowa said...

Just checking back to see if you had a chance to update us. Praying...