Tuesday, November 11, 2008

good news and bad news

Okay, Where to start.

First of all, Brian is doing great. Just great. He gets stronger each day and is improving quickly. He gets stitches and staples out on Friday. We see the oncologist tomorrow to talk about further treatment. His speech is improved and he is walking better each day. In fact, just today, he walked the corridor of the hospital there and back twice.

The hospital, you ask????

Hospital. That's right.

Sunday night, Gavin lay in bed with a 103.8 fever not responding to Motrin or Tylenol. He lay there shivering and trembling and shaking. At 2:30 am, I had enough, and I left for the ER. Thank God I had asked Jan to spend the night at our house in case of an emergent situation because an emergent situation we had.

I knew this was beyond a bug. He was sick. Very sick.

In the ER, he was given a bolus - a large amount of IV fluid quickly. He responded well and got another one. It took two tries to get an IV because he was so dehydrated. I could not get him to drink much on Sunday. Mom said she had the same problem most of the weekend. He ate almost NOTHING since Wednesday night. They told us they were calling our Pediatrician to follow up with him the next day and were sending us home since Gavin kept down the juice and crackers and could continue to hydrate at home. They took out the IV, so naturally, about 5 minutes later he vomited everything and they said we needed to watch him for 23 hours.

For the next several hours, Gavin underwent an IV infusion of a potassium mixture to bring back up his electrolytes and hydrate more. HIs urine and throat were tested. He had labs drawn. It was assumed this was a nasty stomach bug. He was given Tylenol and Motrin IF his fever spiked. Which it did. However, Friday through Monday he was FINE from about 10:30 to about 3:30. At 4:00 on Monday while we were here, his fever spiked to 103.2 again and they said they would keep him overnight - they were just about to let us go home, I guess. Anyway, all through the night last night, unless he was sleeping, Gavin complained of tummy and back pain. He would tremble and shiver head to toe and moan. The only relief he had was when his body would succumb to exhaustion and he would sleep. It was a long night. At about 1:00 am, his nurse noticed he was dripping with sweat, came in to uncover him and noticed his IV was falling out. So, he was poked for a FOURTH time to insert another IV. I sure hope this one holds out. He hates the pokes as he says.

This morning, his pediatrician came in and said it was pretty obvious by his trembling and his fever that will not break this is more than a stomach virus and is some sort of infection. He ordered more tests that probably should have been done the day before, but what's done is done. The test that FINALLY came back positive was the chest X-Ray. Gavin has pneumonia. He is now being treated with a broad antibiotic and an additional antibiotic in case it is a sort of atypical pneumonia. The good news is that that it appears so far the pneumonia is not growing. Gavin is not having problems breathing and isn't coughing a lot. The cough really just started last night. The pediatrician said this can happen with pneumonia - once the body is hydrated, the fluid can build up.

So, today, he spent a lot of the day trembling and uncomfortable. He appears to be doing a bit better tonight. I pray the antibiotics continue to work and other drastic means are unnecessary for his recovery. Please pray with me.

I had no idea how painful it was to watch your child in pain. I pray you never do.

I will write more when I have time.

KEEP BELIEVING

28 comments:

  1. Ohhhhh, Angie,that is crazy! Kaitlynn had pneumonia in grade 1 with all those same symptoms and I never would have guessed pneumonia in a million years when I went in to Emerg. I hope the antibiotics work...FAST! I am so glad to hear that Brian is doing so well. I will continue to keep all of you in my prayers and hope that you will all get some sleep.

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  2. Many prayers out to your husband and to your family.

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  3. Poor thing! I know that has to be miserable for him! I hope he gets better soon!!!

    And I am happy to hear Brian is feeling better!!

    Prayers as always!

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  4. Well - I do know a thing or two about pneumonia (except how to spell that word!?!). Half the battle is diagnosing it and now he will be taken care of and should do fine. I will be praying that he responds quickly to the antibiotics! Take care, ANgie - I know you must be mentally and physically exhausted!! Kellan

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  5. I hope Gavin will be felling better soon!!
    Its great Brian is doing so well. I hope your doing OK! See you soon. Is it possible for the girls to come down and see Gavin tomorrow after school? I will call you tomorrow.

    Take care.. Love, Mike

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  6. Wow. I'm glad to hear that your Big guy is feeling well...and I pray that your little guy feels better soon! What a weekend!

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  7. Hi Angie, Will pray for Gavin. So glad to hear the great report about Brian! Shawn

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  8. I think that right now your picture should appear in the dictionary under the heading "Full Plate." I hope Gavin makes a speedy recovery--and great news about Brian.

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  9. Poor kiddo! And mom too! You don't get much sleep in the hospital either. Praying he is on the road to recovery.

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  10. Like you need anything else to worry about. Your family is always in my prayers. I hope he feels better soon.

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  11. Oh no! Poor kiddo! I'm praying for him!

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  12. Praising God that you know what is bothering Gavin, keeping hi in my prayers.
    Rejoicing about Brian, getting stronger each day.
    Angie sending you some hugs, to bring you comfort and peace, and God fill you with more energy overnight, He'll keep you going, keep believing by keeping your eyes on Him.

    Praise Him for all the healing that is taking place in the family members.
    Love you Marjo

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  13. Prayers, deep, deep prayers for you. Best to you, hon.

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  14. It is wonderful to hear the good news about Brian! But poor Gavin. I will be praying that he recovers quickly.

    I will also be praying for strength for you - I can't even begin to imagine how hard this is for you.

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  15. Geez. I am so sorry Angie about Gavin. So sorry.

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  16. It is really time for you guys to have a break from hospitals!! Do they just know you on a first name basis now? :) You guys deserve a break!! I hope Gavin gets feeling better and the whole family can be home together soon!

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  17. Argh...you just can't seem to get a break, Angie. I am beyond thrilled to hear Brian is doing so much better. I pray Gavin gets there SOON.

    KEEP BELIEVING

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  18. Ditto to all the comments above!! I hope you can find time to take care of yourself and relax alittle bit, soon!! You are the ultimate wife and mommy! Brian and the boys are so lucky to have such a loving, caring woman in their lives! God bless you all!

    love,
    jessica

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  19. All I can think is, "What more?" Please God. Enough already. And now I'll focus on the good.

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  20. Oh, my goodness!! I can't hardly believe it. Prayers for strength for ALL in your family. That's just crazy, I hope he heals quickly!

    Janell

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  21. Oh I'm so sorry-- I really hope he gets through this quickly! Glad to hear Brian's good news!

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  22. Words don't suffice. Praying.

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  23. I just got my husband out of the hospital. He started just like your son with a high fever and some lung involvment, an infection and potassium out of balance.

    After a blood culture that came back gram positive they changed from a broad spectrum antibiotic to a specific one. They were pushing fluids like crazy. You are fortunate that you found out sooner rather than later.

    From my experience you will have a healthy boy sooner than you expect.

    My prayers to you and your family, Karen

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  24. Angie..St Angie..you are the ultimate care giver your family is SO blessed to have you.

    Do me a favor will you? Take 30 minutes...15 minutes for YOU..you alone.. A hot bath, a manicure, stroll the mall.. DO something for you. YOU don't need to get sick.

    {{hugs}}

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  25. Oh man....poor Gavin. I will be praying for him to feel better soon. So glad to hear that Brian is doing well. Please take care of yourself Angie - you are such an amazing woman!
    Ashley

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  26. Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. I'm glad Brian is doing better. Hugs to Gavin, and as always you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

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  27. Angie..Man..I wish life would stop coming at you so quickly. Hugs to little Gavin.. and bigger Hugs to you.. xoxox

    PS..I am so happy to hear of Brian's update.

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  28. My 10 yr old had pnuemonia last winter. I knew he was sick, as he is usually full of energy and never sits still. He was taking naps, that was my first clue something was wrong. Then the dr said they couldn't get him in on Friday and to watch him for the weekend. If he got worse, take him to the ER. He didn't get worse, but wasn't any better by monday. Once the xrays were read and we knew what was wrong, we tried to treat him at home for 2 days. They finally admitted him on Wednesday and he was in the local hospital for 3 days. Kids and spouses can really stress you out when they are ill.

    Hope he's feeling better now.

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