Yesterday was the installation of Daniel's mom, Pastor Chon, at a church here in Mesa, AZ. Daniel was looking forward to supporting his mom during her special service by singing a Christian song by the title, "This is the air I breathe". From what I hear, the service was just wonderful...but Daniel didn't sing, especially not that song. You see, since Friday, we've been camping out with Thomas at a Children's hospital here in Mesa because he just can't seem to breathe.
The journey began with a rushed trip to urgent care on Friday within 1/2 an hr after I got home from work.Daniel had already tried a breathing treatment and it didn't seem to be helping this time. Upon arrival at urgent care, we were rushed back, then moved in an ambulance for transport to the Children's hospital. The ambulance ride was to insure that they could continue to give him oxygen. When we arrived, his lips were blue. In seconds of being on oxygen, he regained normal amounts of oxygen saturation- which is the percentage of red blood cells that have oxygen. Anything above 90% is considered healthy. When we got there, he was at 70%. Thus, the ambulance ride with the oxygen mask...
(switching authors, from Ashley to Daniel)
When we got to the ER, we were given a room where they suctioned his lungs and started an IV. The first night we were given a room, and Thomas was slow to recover. He couldn't nurse because he couldn't breathe and swallow at the same time. We all know the kid wants to eat, and if given the choice, he would choose to eat over taking breaths. So, the didn't let him eat that first night. Since his problem was viral, they could not prescribe any antibiotics. So, his body would have to fight it itself. But without food, he was having trouble. You see the circular problem. So, after a night of little progress, they moved him down to the picu (intensive care for babies) so that they could monitor him closely. By mid morning Saturday he was recovering enough that they let us try to feed him.
The suggested a synthetic "formula" type thing called Pedialite, and asked me to bottle feed it to him. Knowing how my wife feels about such things over Mother's milk which is full of antibodies, I sloppily moved the bottle around his mouth as the nurses and Dr looked on, and told them that he wasn't taking it (In truth, he really didn't want it). Then one of the nurses suggested that we bottle feed him breast milk, and we all agreed that this was as good idea. He scarfed down 2 oz of it and later another 2. By nightfall Saturday they were allowing him to nurse, and things really picked up. We switched rooms again and on Sunday he was in a normal room where they lessened his oxygen dependence, and even turned it off. Later the decided that he still needed a bit of oxygen. By monday, he was looking and feeling better. He was alert and happy, the day nurse told us that she and the other nurses called him him their "happy wheezer." He nursed and received breathing treatments, and the problems seemed to dissipate save one. He still wheezes a lot. He isn't working hard to breathe like he was before, but he still sounds like a sick kiddo.
We hope that he will come home tomorrow so that we can lavish him with hugs and kisses and sing to in the comfort of our own home, rather than in a room where people can walk by and wonder who those weirdos are.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I believe that baby Thomas must have been prayed for in two dozen worship services on Sunday. That's got to count for something, right?
It is good to be loved.
I'll close with this.
That first night, when things were at their worst, I said to the on-call pediatritian, "so how bad is it, doc?"
"Well," he said, "He's got three things going for him. One, he's over 2 months old. Two, he is breastfed. And three, he is well loved and well taken care of"
I thank God for the first one. My amazing wife for the second, and you all for the third.
Shout-out to Didi and Yaya for their tireless efforts, Uncle Luke and Aunt Sara for their entertainment of our 3-year-old, Our Savior's Pastoral Staff for picking up my slack, Phyllis, Valerie, Gigi and Grandpapa, Chad and Kris for the drop-bys, and all of you who worked to convince each other that it will all be OK.
Chillin in the Hospital,
D, A, J, and T.
s
(switching authors, from Ashley to Daniel)
When we got to the ER, we were given a room where they suctioned his lungs and started an IV. The first night we were given a room, and Thomas was slow to recover. He couldn't nurse because he couldn't breathe and swallow at the same time. We all know the kid wants to eat, and if given the choice, he would choose to eat over taking breaths. So, the didn't let him eat that first night. Since his problem was viral, they could not prescribe any antibiotics. So, his body would have to fight it itself. But without food, he was having trouble. You see the circular problem. So, after a night of little progress, they moved him down to the picu (intensive care for babies) so that they could monitor him closely. By mid morning Saturday he was recovering enough that they let us try to feed him.
The suggested a synthetic "formula" type thing called Pedialite, and asked me to bottle feed it to him. Knowing how my wife feels about such things over Mother's milk which is full of antibodies, I sloppily moved the bottle around his mouth as the nurses and Dr looked on, and told them that he wasn't taking it (In truth, he really didn't want it). Then one of the nurses suggested that we bottle feed him breast milk, and we all agreed that this was as good idea. He scarfed down 2 oz of it and later another 2. By nightfall Saturday they were allowing him to nurse, and things really picked up. We switched rooms again and on Sunday he was in a normal room where they lessened his oxygen dependence, and even turned it off. Later the decided that he still needed a bit of oxygen. By monday, he was looking and feeling better. He was alert and happy, the day nurse told us that she and the other nurses called him him their "happy wheezer." He nursed and received breathing treatments, and the problems seemed to dissipate save one. He still wheezes a lot. He isn't working hard to breathe like he was before, but he still sounds like a sick kiddo.
We hope that he will come home tomorrow so that we can lavish him with hugs and kisses and sing to in the comfort of our own home, rather than in a room where people can walk by and wonder who those weirdos are.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. I believe that baby Thomas must have been prayed for in two dozen worship services on Sunday. That's got to count for something, right?
It is good to be loved.
I'll close with this.
That first night, when things were at their worst, I said to the on-call pediatritian, "so how bad is it, doc?"
"Well," he said, "He's got three things going for him. One, he's over 2 months old. Two, he is breastfed. And three, he is well loved and well taken care of"
I thank God for the first one. My amazing wife for the second, and you all for the third.
Shout-out to Didi and Yaya for their tireless efforts, Uncle Luke and Aunt Sara for their entertainment of our 3-year-old, Our Savior's Pastoral Staff for picking up my slack, Phyllis, Valerie, Gigi and Grandpapa, Chad and Kris for the drop-bys, and all of you who worked to convince each other that it will all be OK.
Chillin in the Hospital,
D, A, J, and T.
s
7 comments:
shout-outs to all.
thos - that's right, get all this hospital stuff done so you won't remember it later (just like I did).
Hey, and I turned....out......just.......
.........
well, here I am!!!!! so take that!!!!
sending loves and hugs and kisses and loves and ear-pinches and long stares and hugs and loves.
B A M
There goes one now.
Much love and prayers to all of you! Love you! Momma and Daddy K
So glad things are on the up with Thomas' situation!!! I love you guys we will be praying
So so so glad that things are better on your end. Try to take everything easier and relax when you can. You all deserve it, to the max.
Thosmos is pathetic in those pictures- but still so darn cute. I guess we can attribute the latter to the Chell/Pugh genes. Effortless charm, go us!
W.
Thinking of you all and sending healthy, positive thoughts your way! So happy that Thomas is doing much better!
Lots of love
-Rachel
Glad you're all out of the hospital now, and we're thrilled to think of you enjoying each other in the comfort of your own home! We've certainly been sending our love and special thoughts for Thomas' quick recovery.
Much love and many hugs!! May the beauty of Spring continue with calm and easy breaths...
Jacob,you're such a sweet and loving 3 year old brother. We enjoyed hearing about your birthday and your cute doin's and really LOVED the "tickling Thomas" video. You two are ADORABLE!
Even though I have not commented until now does not mean my thoughts and love were not with you when Grandma Ruth told me about Thos being strapped in the carseat strapped on the gurney, in an ambulance.......heartwrenching knowing all the tubes,and stuff they had to do to help....you feel so helpless...
But look at that cute fat little thing...!!!!Love Lois
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