It began by a phone call from Parker's babysitter. She said he started running a temp and pretty rapidly. I called in for a sub and took off to pick him up. When I got there, he was sleeping and felt pretty warm. It didn't take me long to notice that he seemed to be breathing rather rapidly. I went ahead and got him home and got some Motrin in him because I know from past experiences with Nolan being sick that when he runs a temp, he breathes quickly. Parker went down for a nap as soon as the medicine was forced into him (he's the WORST about taking any kinds of meds).
After about 2 1/2 hours, he woke up and still was breathing pretty fast, but I also noticed that he appeared to be retracting, too. Automatically sent me to flashbacks and minor panics about 5 days after his birth and the retractions he had then (of course, these were much milder compared to those). At the same time, I constantly second guess myself because I often think back to his rough start and think that I'm just overreacting because of experiencing the breathing issues. I took a video and sent it to Brian to get his opinion, but there was a nagging feeling telling me this wasn't good.
At this point, Brian said he couldn't tell from the way the video sent to his phone and he had football practice approaching. Also, I was due to pick Nolan up from the bus stop in just a few minutes. At the bus stop, I got another opinion from a Mom. She agreed that she'd get it looked at, too, and that I wasn't overreacting. In that short amount of time, his nostrils began flaring with each retraction, so called his Peditrician to which they told me I needed to get not come into their office, but get him to the ER. I asked if they thought I could just go ahead and drive over to Cardinal Glennon, but with what I was telling them (especially with the nostrils flaring), they preferred that I just got to the quickest ER. Upon arriving, he was seen right away and started on a steroid and breathing treatment. His O2 level was 86. He was not a fan of the breathing treatment and to my complete shock, he took the steroid pretty well (this was the only time he took this steroid well). Meanwhile, the nurse happened to notice Nolan's arm....which his school nurse had called me about that day as well.
We went for our flu shots and this was the first time we've ever taken the boys with us to the free flu shot clinic at Barnes. They gave Nolan his in his arm. This, too, was a first. So, fast forward to the next day, his arm is ridiculously swollen, hot, and red. Swollen to bigger than a baseball. The ER nurse was livid that they would give such a small boy a vaccine in his arm because it's too much medicine for that small of an amount of tissue. She recommended Benedryl, Motrin, & ice immediately.
After that, we took Parker back for a chest x-ray -- again, flashbacks that I didn't want entering mind began to, but I was much calmer about it this time (perhaps no longer being a few days post partum helped). After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and learning a lot, I requested a thyroid guard for Parker during his x-ray. They told me they would be happy to do so, but unfortunately, he's too small and the guards are too large and it'd cover the area that needed to be x-ray'ed. They were impressed that I even asked for one though and asked about my decision to ask. It just opened my eyes up to how too few people know the risks involved in xrays (whether dental, general, and especially mamograms) to even ask for such precautions.
After completing his x-ray, the dr was happy to report that he did not have pnemonia, but perhaps what our grandparents would have referred to as "walking pnemonia." He ordered another breathing treatment because Parker's oxygen levels were still hanging around 88. He did fine the first 30 minutes of the treatment, but the last 30 were horrific. The nurse, Brian, & I were all pinning him down. He was sweating, could barely cry because of his breathing, and was ticked off and confused. After the hour treatment, we waited about 20 minutes to see if he improved...he did not. At this point, the dr wanted us sent to Cardinal Glennon to be admitted.
Que Ambulance ride #2 for Parker. Daddy got Nolan arranged with friends (and he was an upset mess at this point, too). I rode with Parker. He did perk up in the Ambulance the most he'd been on all day. He was starting to talk up a storm, too. I don't have any pictures of this event because my cell phone died 15 mins after arriving at the hospital. This was upon arriving to Anderson:
After that, we took Parker back for a chest x-ray -- again, flashbacks that I didn't want entering mind began to, but I was much calmer about it this time (perhaps no longer being a few days post partum helped). After being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and learning a lot, I requested a thyroid guard for Parker during his x-ray. They told me they would be happy to do so, but unfortunately, he's too small and the guards are too large and it'd cover the area that needed to be x-ray'ed. They were impressed that I even asked for one though and asked about my decision to ask. It just opened my eyes up to how too few people know the risks involved in xrays (whether dental, general, and especially mamograms) to even ask for such precautions.
After completing his x-ray, the dr was happy to report that he did not have pnemonia, but perhaps what our grandparents would have referred to as "walking pnemonia." He ordered another breathing treatment because Parker's oxygen levels were still hanging around 88. He did fine the first 30 minutes of the treatment, but the last 30 were horrific. The nurse, Brian, & I were all pinning him down. He was sweating, could barely cry because of his breathing, and was ticked off and confused. After the hour treatment, we waited about 20 minutes to see if he improved...he did not. At this point, the dr wanted us sent to Cardinal Glennon to be admitted.
Que Ambulance ride #2 for Parker. Daddy got Nolan arranged with friends (and he was an upset mess at this point, too). I rode with Parker. He did perk up in the Ambulance the most he'd been on all day. He was starting to talk up a storm, too. I don't have any pictures of this event because my cell phone died 15 mins after arriving at the hospital. This was upon arriving to Anderson:
By the time we arrived at Glennon, little PJ was completely exhausted. We gave him one more hour long treatment. If he didn't respond to that one, then we'd have to do another test to determine if he'd be in NICU or if he could be on a regular floor. That news scared me (first because I thought NICU was just for newborns and second because it fully clicked how serious this is). He slept through the entire treatment this time, so I think he was calm enough to fully inhale what he needed (not to mention he was basically on full adrenaline...he was SO shaky in his sleep). We sent up a lot of prayers and miraculously, he completely turned around after that treatment. His O2 was steady at 96 and they were happy with that result. His wheezing had cleared up significantly and they could hear the air flowing now. At 1:00 a.m. we were released. I was happy, but apprehensive, too...not because I didn't trust them, but because I was scared of what to watch for again, etc. We were sent home with an inhaler, steroids, and an antibiotic (he had an ear infection, too). It was pure torture to get him to take his inhaler and meds at home, but I really didn't want to invest in a nebulizer, when we already had the spacer at home (Nolan's asthmatic). While they said it's too early to diagnose Parker with asthma, too, they said he has a pretty good chance of it given his history. They considered his diagnoses an asthma attack. We followed up with our peditrician the next day for Parker and Nolan. Our doctor wasn't too happy to hear that Nolan received a shot in his arm either. Both boys ended up better quickly though...Nolan's arm peeled because the skin was stretched so badly!
Since then, Parker's been sick a couple of times...no breathing difficulties, but random high temperatures. This week we couldn't get it below 102 with alternating meds.
I went for my six month follow up. While my news wasn't horrible and I realize how much worse it could have been, I was disappointed and for one of the very first times throwing myself a pity party. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering that it's not about my timing..it's about HIS timing. I'm trying to remind myself of this daily. Without going to into it too much, we would really like to add to our family one last time and the idea of what I had planned will be postponed. Again, I realize how selfish it sounds wanting it at my timing, but there are some further reasons along with it. I am SO THANKFUL that I am able to still have more children in the future and after the struggle it was to have Parker, I'm SO GRATEFUL and BLESSED by the two BEAUTIFUL and mostly HEALTHY boys we have been given. Due to some things that were noticed at my six month post radiation appointment, I will be going back this upcoming week. Continued prayers are appreciated, but again, I can't say enough how appreciative I am of the hand I've been dealt in life. Sadly, there's been too many things around me to give me perspective.
Here's to wishing the sickies a long farewell...even though cold weather and sick season is upon us.
"This is the stuff that drives me crazy.
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately.
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed.
This is the stuff that gets under my skin.
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing...
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use..."
~Francesca Battistelli
~Francesca Battistelli
*Excuse the sloppy and not real "thoughtful" writing...I'm sleepy!* #tryingtobeabetterbloggeragain
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