The ride is not over yet...I think we are right smack dab in the middle of the ride.
Back to the doctor today. Ahna's hands, feet, and lips were purple this morning. Another chest xray done...perfectly clear. Labs ordered...CBC with Diff and Blood culture. Very long ordeal to get blood drawn...2 labs, 3 pokes and barely enough blood to complete the tests. Then the blood clotted in the CBC test so we get to do it all over again tomorrow. Lots of crying today from the baby. Doctor is wondering if she is Sepsis. Hopefully we get some answers soon.
Keep praying for my sweet baby girl please. We need all that we can get.
The everyday life that consists of triumphs and defeats. Raising three children sure lets me see lots of these...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wild Ride
I can definitely say the wild ride began on Wednesday but I am happy to announce I am exiting the wild ride and hope to never return to it.
Scott was able to come on Thursday night to help me out with the baby, which I was in desperate need of. On Friday, Arianna was stable and did really well. She acted like she was improving...whoo hoo.
Saturday came and she took a bad turn. By early afternoon Arianna was retracting (suprasternal) by her collar bone. I grew concerned and took her shirt off her so I could watch her chest, ribs and stomach. At 5 I decided to call my mom (an RN) who is in FL. She told me to call the doctor and be prepared to head to the ER. Scott didn't think it was necessary so I waited to call the doctor for an hour. Finally I called the pediatrician on call...who thankfully was the one who seen Arianna on Thursday. She agreed that any retracting isn't good but since it was just in 1 location that we could watch her, increase breathing treatments, and she was going to call in an oral steroid. Any more retracting (new places) and we were to head to the ER, any color changes and we were to call 911. I went for the steroid. When I got home Arianna was still retracting but now she was retracting between her ribs on her back. I dosed her with the oral steriod and we did a breathing treatment that was due. An hour after the oral steroid and breathing treatment she was back to just retracting by her collar bone. I watched her extremely close over night, with several breathing treatments being done.
Sunday she was still retracting by her collar bone but was stable otherwise. Thank goodness.
Today we have turned the corner. She isn't retracting at all anymore and she is eating again!! That is a sign of health coming back to her.
Tomorrow we go to the ENT for a follow up on her Ear surgery. I do know that the tubes look good...they have been looked at a lot this week.
Thursday we go to the pediatrician for a follow up on this week. Hopefully she checks out well.
Today I had the kids help me make thank you cards for everybody involved. TTA, Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Joe, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Jeff, Dorothy and Larry, Rodney and Karyn, and the neighbor. I wouldn't have survived this week without all of them.
The ride is over, and I hopeful that it was a once and a lifetime ride.
Scott was able to come on Thursday night to help me out with the baby, which I was in desperate need of. On Friday, Arianna was stable and did really well. She acted like she was improving...whoo hoo.
Saturday came and she took a bad turn. By early afternoon Arianna was retracting (suprasternal) by her collar bone. I grew concerned and took her shirt off her so I could watch her chest, ribs and stomach. At 5 I decided to call my mom (an RN) who is in FL. She told me to call the doctor and be prepared to head to the ER. Scott didn't think it was necessary so I waited to call the doctor for an hour. Finally I called the pediatrician on call...who thankfully was the one who seen Arianna on Thursday. She agreed that any retracting isn't good but since it was just in 1 location that we could watch her, increase breathing treatments, and she was going to call in an oral steroid. Any more retracting (new places) and we were to head to the ER, any color changes and we were to call 911. I went for the steroid. When I got home Arianna was still retracting but now she was retracting between her ribs on her back. I dosed her with the oral steriod and we did a breathing treatment that was due. An hour after the oral steroid and breathing treatment she was back to just retracting by her collar bone. I watched her extremely close over night, with several breathing treatments being done.
Sunday she was still retracting by her collar bone but was stable otherwise. Thank goodness.
Today we have turned the corner. She isn't retracting at all anymore and she is eating again!! That is a sign of health coming back to her.
Tomorrow we go to the ENT for a follow up on her Ear surgery. I do know that the tubes look good...they have been looked at a lot this week.
Thursday we go to the pediatrician for a follow up on this week. Hopefully she checks out well.
Today I had the kids help me make thank you cards for everybody involved. TTA, Aunt Sheryl and Uncle Joe, Aunt Shelly and Uncle Jeff, Dorothy and Larry, Rodney and Karyn, and the neighbor. I wouldn't have survived this week without all of them.
The ride is over, and I hopeful that it was a once and a lifetime ride.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
A ride of a lifetime...
that I never want to get on again and that I hope nobody else ever has to take. This is the story of our night last night.
Wednesday February 24, 2010.
Arianna was extremely out of sorts yesterday but I figured she was up early, has a cold nothing out of wack. I pushed fluids since she didn't want to eat much.
Makenzi came home from school and we ate dinner. Kenzi begged to go to the book fair at her school because she wanted the Olivia book so bad. I caved and took the kids to NL so they could each get a book. I grabbed Ahna out of the van to head in and I thought she sounded funny. I have a horrible time hearing if my children are wheezing or struggling to breathe. We went in and Kenzi grabbed the book she wanted and Braxton grabbed the book he wanted. I got to the desk to checkout and Ahna was coughing uncontrollably. I was informed she didn't sound and sound really congested.
I decided to take her to the ambulance base to see if I should take her into the after hours clinic or if her lungs were clear and just to watch her. We got there and the paramedic came out. She listened to Ahna's lungs and informed me that all four lobes were wheezing really bad and we needed to test her O2 levels. Mary (the paramedic) ran Ahna to the ambulance and got her on the O2 stat machine. Ahna was O2 stating in the low eighties. They advised me that she needed to go to the hospital and it wasn't safe for me to take her. Makenzi and Braxton were in the office with the staff member. She treated them great...they each got a teddy bear and a sucker. I had to make some quick phone calls to try to get to get somebody to come get Makenzi and Braxton. I called my sil at home, no answer, called her cell, no answer. I called my other sils cell phone, no answer. I called my sils mother and was able to reach my sil. She was on her way, they also called my sils brother and he came as well...he lives right down the road. I jumped in the ambulance and off we went.
The experience in the ambulance was like nothing else I have every done. First everything was backwards. I was on the gurney and strapped down. I then had to hold Ahna. I just prayed we would arrive at the hospital safe...no accidents. They attempted an IV and missed the vein because Ahna was flailing everywhere. The second attempt would have been successful had she just held still for another few seconds. The ambulance was stopped so we could get assistance from the driver. It was no good. A third attempt was made in the hospital parking lot with no success as well. Arianna recieved an albuterol breathing treatment on the way along with oxygen. Her Oxygen levels were up to the low 90s upon ER arrival.
In the ER we had a chest Xray done which came back with no pneumonia but not clear. She recieved another albuterol breathing treatment, a dose of oral steriods, and lots of rest. Her O2 stats were all over the place. We were released at 915 or so. We made it home around 945 and I was exhausted. I didn't get much sleep last night either.
Today I woke up and my legs were extremely sore and I couldn't figure out why...well I quickly remembered...it was from pinning Ahna down with my legs while trying to hold her still. I felt bad because Ahna has a nice big ole bruise on her leg that I am sure from my pinning her down. So sad.
We went to the pediatrician's office today and Ahna was diagnosised with pneumonia in the lower lobe of the right lung. She ordered Zithromax, and Albuterol treatments every 3 to 4 hours. If she shows any signs of breathing trouble we are to call them and head straight to the ER to be admitted...pray she stays stable.
That was a ride of a lifetime and I hope it was a one time in a life time ticket. I don't ever want to do that again.
Wednesday February 24, 2010.
Arianna was extremely out of sorts yesterday but I figured she was up early, has a cold nothing out of wack. I pushed fluids since she didn't want to eat much.
Makenzi came home from school and we ate dinner. Kenzi begged to go to the book fair at her school because she wanted the Olivia book so bad. I caved and took the kids to NL so they could each get a book. I grabbed Ahna out of the van to head in and I thought she sounded funny. I have a horrible time hearing if my children are wheezing or struggling to breathe. We went in and Kenzi grabbed the book she wanted and Braxton grabbed the book he wanted. I got to the desk to checkout and Ahna was coughing uncontrollably. I was informed she didn't sound and sound really congested.
I decided to take her to the ambulance base to see if I should take her into the after hours clinic or if her lungs were clear and just to watch her. We got there and the paramedic came out. She listened to Ahna's lungs and informed me that all four lobes were wheezing really bad and we needed to test her O2 levels. Mary (the paramedic) ran Ahna to the ambulance and got her on the O2 stat machine. Ahna was O2 stating in the low eighties. They advised me that she needed to go to the hospital and it wasn't safe for me to take her. Makenzi and Braxton were in the office with the staff member. She treated them great...they each got a teddy bear and a sucker. I had to make some quick phone calls to try to get to get somebody to come get Makenzi and Braxton. I called my sil at home, no answer, called her cell, no answer. I called my other sils cell phone, no answer. I called my sils mother and was able to reach my sil. She was on her way, they also called my sils brother and he came as well...he lives right down the road. I jumped in the ambulance and off we went.
The experience in the ambulance was like nothing else I have every done. First everything was backwards. I was on the gurney and strapped down. I then had to hold Ahna. I just prayed we would arrive at the hospital safe...no accidents. They attempted an IV and missed the vein because Ahna was flailing everywhere. The second attempt would have been successful had she just held still for another few seconds. The ambulance was stopped so we could get assistance from the driver. It was no good. A third attempt was made in the hospital parking lot with no success as well. Arianna recieved an albuterol breathing treatment on the way along with oxygen. Her Oxygen levels were up to the low 90s upon ER arrival.
In the ER we had a chest Xray done which came back with no pneumonia but not clear. She recieved another albuterol breathing treatment, a dose of oral steriods, and lots of rest. Her O2 stats were all over the place. We were released at 915 or so. We made it home around 945 and I was exhausted. I didn't get much sleep last night either.
Today I woke up and my legs were extremely sore and I couldn't figure out why...well I quickly remembered...it was from pinning Ahna down with my legs while trying to hold her still. I felt bad because Ahna has a nice big ole bruise on her leg that I am sure from my pinning her down. So sad.
We went to the pediatrician's office today and Ahna was diagnosised with pneumonia in the lower lobe of the right lung. She ordered Zithromax, and Albuterol treatments every 3 to 4 hours. If she shows any signs of breathing trouble we are to call them and head straight to the ER to be admitted...pray she stays stable.
That was a ride of a lifetime and I hope it was a one time in a life time ticket. I don't ever want to do that again.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Happy 4th Birthday
Braxton Charles Adam. It is hard to believe it has been 4 years (and 2 days). 4 years ago today I brought home a new little bundle that wears blue. It has been an amazing yet challenging 4 years. Going from 1 to 2 children was a huge hurdle for me. I had a hard time with it. There were many days where I wasn't sure how to handle both kids demands at the same time. Plus returning to work was a hard time for me..I really didn't want to go but I had to.
We started with specialists at 2 weeks of age and haven't stopped yet. We have been to 2 Urologists (one in Kalamazoo and one in Ann Arbor), a pediatric surgeon, ENT (many times), Eye doctor, A dietcian, 2 Gastroenterologist. Plus we did Ear tube surgery. We have really been across the board with him. Thankfully none of his issues have been real serious.
Braxton is so much fun to have around at the same time. His laugh is contagious. He laughs from his toes all the way up. He has so much love for his sisters it is amazing to me, don't get me wrong they fight but they love each other as well. Braxton is a mommas boy but I refuse to let him be a wimpy boy...he will be tough and strong. Braxton has his future planned like no other 4 year old boy I know...he plans to be a farmer that has tractors, plows, planters, combines, wagons, cows, pigs and big barns. That is his dream and I know he will achieve it.
Here is my little guy not long after his arrival
Coming home from the hospital
Braxton 2 years of age
Braxton at 4 years of age with his kitty Diesel
We started with specialists at 2 weeks of age and haven't stopped yet. We have been to 2 Urologists (one in Kalamazoo and one in Ann Arbor), a pediatric surgeon, ENT (many times), Eye doctor, A dietcian, 2 Gastroenterologist. Plus we did Ear tube surgery. We have really been across the board with him. Thankfully none of his issues have been real serious.
Braxton is so much fun to have around at the same time. His laugh is contagious. He laughs from his toes all the way up. He has so much love for his sisters it is amazing to me, don't get me wrong they fight but they love each other as well. Braxton is a mommas boy but I refuse to let him be a wimpy boy...he will be tough and strong. Braxton has his future planned like no other 4 year old boy I know...he plans to be a farmer that has tractors, plows, planters, combines, wagons, cows, pigs and big barns. That is his dream and I know he will achieve it.
Here is my little guy not long after his arrival
Coming home from the hospital
Braxton 2 years of age
Braxton at 4 years of age with his kitty Diesel
What a day
Well today my baby learned to climb out of the crib. I had planned to keep her in her crib as long as possible since I had no need for her to move out of it. Makenzi moved from the crib at 19 months of age when we found out the next baby was on the way. Braxton moved out the crib at 18 months of age when we found out Ahna was on the way. I was so excited this time because there was no rush to move her out and I had decided I would do it in the summer so in case the nights were long I would be able to sleep in. Well Ahna had different plans.
I put her down for her nap at 12. I heard her playing in her room but before I knew it she was banging on the door and I could see her feet under the door. Went in and there she stood looking at me. I brought her out and hoped that when I tried naptime a little later she wouldn't remember how she did it. Well I put her back to bed and she was out of her crib before I ever got out of the hallway. I immediately put her right back and she was out instantly. I took the crib down and brought the toddler bed up. I tried naptime again and that was a waste of my time. She just climbed, jumped and ran out of the room. I gave up hoping that with no nap she will go to bed easy tonight...might be wishful thinking though.
My little girl is growing up way to fast.
I put her down for her nap at 12. I heard her playing in her room but before I knew it she was banging on the door and I could see her feet under the door. Went in and there she stood looking at me. I brought her out and hoped that when I tried naptime a little later she wouldn't remember how she did it. Well I put her back to bed and she was out of her crib before I ever got out of the hallway. I immediately put her right back and she was out instantly. I took the crib down and brought the toddler bed up. I tried naptime again and that was a waste of my time. She just climbed, jumped and ran out of the room. I gave up hoping that with no nap she will go to bed easy tonight...might be wishful thinking though.
My little girl is growing up way to fast.
Friday, February 12, 2010
My Ahna Girl
Ahna had her bilateral ear tube surgery on Thursday. I wasn't extremely nervous yet still nervous. I remember Braxton's surgery very well. He had his done 3 years ago so I remember the process. His went great as well, with the same doctor but a different hospital. Ahna's surgery was scheduled for 830 and was the first one of the day. We had to be at Saint Mary's Surgery Center at 7am, and Ahna couldn't eat or drink after midnight. I was concerned that she would be totally hateful. I woke her up at 10pm and gave her a sippy cup of milk and prayed she would sleep through the night. My mom was going with me and Scott was going to take Braxton and his two cousins to school for me. I woke Ahna at 6 and quickly changed her into a clean diaper and new pajamas. My mom arrived and we headed out. Arianna was a champ...she entertained the waiting room full of people and was just super happy. We were called back to the room and got Ahna weighed and changed into her gown...which she thought was cool.
The nurse anethesist came in to tell us what was going to happen. He took such good care of Ahna and Ahna warmed right up to him...it was great. He informed us what would happen in the OR and promised to take good care of her. He was also going to be the one to come get her from us.
Then the anethesiologist student came in and she also was amazing with Ahna. She played with Ahna and Ahna's baby doll. She was also very thorough and made us feel comfortable.
Then the "real" anethesiologist came in....we weren't so confident any more. First he went to the room next to us and told that child who was about 8 that she was having ear tubes and called her Arianna...hmmm when he was informed that he had the wrong patient by the anthesiologist student he got the right patient name but still used Ahna's procedure. This girl was in for a tonsillecotomy and adnoids. He was told again by the student that he had the wrong procedure. He laughed and said "I thought she looked big for a 1 year old". Yikes. Then he came into our room and had the right procedure and patient...I was very nervous after that...was afraid she may come out with no tonsils or adnoids.
Our surgeon came in and he cleared the air and said to us "don't be nervous, I am the surgeon and I know your little princess is here just for bilateral ear tubes". What a relief. When the nurse anthesist came in to take Ahna he confirmed it was just ear tubes and took off with her. She never even cried. They wrapped her in a nice warm blanket and sang songs back to the OR. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck. My mom and I walked to the waiting room where there was absolutely no clocks that were visible...there is a good reason for this..patients family don't realize how long the they have been seperated. Before we knew it (actually 15 minutes after they carried my baby away) the doctor was standing in front us and informed us everything went well and it would only be a couple minutes before we were called to recovery.
15 minutes went by before we were called. She took a little longer than "normal" to wake up and was extremely groggy when I got to her. she actually just laid in my arms like a rag doll. She perked up though when they brought her a cup of juice though, then a popsicle and another cup of juice. We were kicked out of recovery at 920...20 minutes after waking up from surgery.
She was funny to watch the first day...she was super tipsy..we called her a drunk skunk. She wasn't totally thinking clear either. Her reflexes were really slow as well...she couldn't catch a ball or pick anything up without falling over. She was uncomfortable the first day so we had to keep her on tylenol and motrin around the clock but today she has been pain free. Overall it was successful and not to nerve wracking.
The nurse anethesist came in to tell us what was going to happen. He took such good care of Ahna and Ahna warmed right up to him...it was great. He informed us what would happen in the OR and promised to take good care of her. He was also going to be the one to come get her from us.
Then the anethesiologist student came in and she also was amazing with Ahna. She played with Ahna and Ahna's baby doll. She was also very thorough and made us feel comfortable.
Then the "real" anethesiologist came in....we weren't so confident any more. First he went to the room next to us and told that child who was about 8 that she was having ear tubes and called her Arianna...hmmm when he was informed that he had the wrong patient by the anthesiologist student he got the right patient name but still used Ahna's procedure. This girl was in for a tonsillecotomy and adnoids. He was told again by the student that he had the wrong procedure. He laughed and said "I thought she looked big for a 1 year old". Yikes. Then he came into our room and had the right procedure and patient...I was very nervous after that...was afraid she may come out with no tonsils or adnoids.
Our surgeon came in and he cleared the air and said to us "don't be nervous, I am the surgeon and I know your little princess is here just for bilateral ear tubes". What a relief. When the nurse anthesist came in to take Ahna he confirmed it was just ear tubes and took off with her. She never even cried. They wrapped her in a nice warm blanket and sang songs back to the OR. I on the other hand was a nervous wreck. My mom and I walked to the waiting room where there was absolutely no clocks that were visible...there is a good reason for this..patients family don't realize how long the they have been seperated. Before we knew it (actually 15 minutes after they carried my baby away) the doctor was standing in front us and informed us everything went well and it would only be a couple minutes before we were called to recovery.
15 minutes went by before we were called. She took a little longer than "normal" to wake up and was extremely groggy when I got to her. she actually just laid in my arms like a rag doll. She perked up though when they brought her a cup of juice though, then a popsicle and another cup of juice. We were kicked out of recovery at 920...20 minutes after waking up from surgery.
She was funny to watch the first day...she was super tipsy..we called her a drunk skunk. She wasn't totally thinking clear either. Her reflexes were really slow as well...she couldn't catch a ball or pick anything up without falling over. She was uncomfortable the first day so we had to keep her on tylenol and motrin around the clock but today she has been pain free. Overall it was successful and not to nerve wracking.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Busy week ahead
This coming week is going to be busy. Tomorrow I have class and we have a test over 8 chapters...yuck. Then I have to run home and get B and head back to Saginaw. I have to go pay our pre-surgery bill at the ENT's office, then I have to go to the hospital and drop off pre-registration papers, then B has his appointment at the eye doctors where they will be dilating his eyes....yuck again.
Tuesday B has school in the morning, then K and B have Atrium class that night. Then B gets to go spend the night at grandma and papa's house for his special day to celebrate his birthday.
Wednesday, Kenzi has school and B will be gone all day so it will just be A and I to hang out all day.
Thursday...this is the crazy day this week. Scott is coming home. I am taking A to the hospital to have surgery...my mom is going with me. Scott will be home to get K on the bus, then he is taking the triplets to school, he will come home and then go back for B's daddy and me day at school. I will be home hopefully before Scott and B. Plus we should have our contractor coming to put the trim up in the house. If it works he should be here that morning and then again on Friday.
I had to try to squeeze as much as possible in this week because next week my mom and dad are going to FL. I am just glad it was all able to fit in.
I still can't believe that B is going to be 4 in 1 week...where has my little guy gone. My kids are getting old. I will have a 6 year old, a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old...yikes.
Tuesday B has school in the morning, then K and B have Atrium class that night. Then B gets to go spend the night at grandma and papa's house for his special day to celebrate his birthday.
Wednesday, Kenzi has school and B will be gone all day so it will just be A and I to hang out all day.
Thursday...this is the crazy day this week. Scott is coming home. I am taking A to the hospital to have surgery...my mom is going with me. Scott will be home to get K on the bus, then he is taking the triplets to school, he will come home and then go back for B's daddy and me day at school. I will be home hopefully before Scott and B. Plus we should have our contractor coming to put the trim up in the house. If it works he should be here that morning and then again on Friday.
I had to try to squeeze as much as possible in this week because next week my mom and dad are going to FL. I am just glad it was all able to fit in.
I still can't believe that B is going to be 4 in 1 week...where has my little guy gone. My kids are getting old. I will have a 6 year old, a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old...yikes.
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