The Cycle
This is how it goes down for us when Ira starts showing signs that he's sick. This takes place over several days.
Ira starts throwing up a little. We cross our fingers that it doesn't get worse.
It does. Throw up everywhere. All the time. Non-stop. So we wait it out.
But it doesn't get better.
Call doc for the first time. "Watch him," she says.
Dehydration settles in. Lips chapped. Ashy skin.
We keep a close eye on his heartrate, frequency of breaths and oxygenation. (We have machines that monitor this stuff.)
The heartrate goes up. High 170s. Then 180s. Then 190s. It's a slow climb. Over a couple of days.
We watch Ira.
Breathing harder. Nose flaring. Chest and abdomen pulling.
Ira's working hard.
You and me? We breathe effortlessly. Not Ira. Not now. It's a workout for him.
He's sweating.
Go see pediatrician.
Eyes swollen. Blue around the eyes.
Oxygenation not great. Mid 80s.
"Go to the hospital," she says.
We go.
Chest x-rays, blood tests, urine sample, trach culture. You name it.
Wait all day in the emergency room.
Hours upon hours.
Tests slowly come back in.
"Here's a steroid and antibiotic," the doc says. "Keep an eye on him."
Duh.
With the first dose of 'roid and antibiotic, Ira shows signs of feeling better.
Back at home late at night after long day at hospital.
Tired. Everyone's tired.
-
Ira starts throwing up a little. We cross our fingers that it doesn't get worse.
It does. Throw up everywhere. All the time. Non-stop. So we wait it out.
But it doesn't get better.
Call doc for the first time. "Watch him," she says.
Dehydration settles in. Lips chapped. Ashy skin.
We keep a close eye on his heartrate, frequency of breaths and oxygenation. (We have machines that monitor this stuff.)
The heartrate goes up. High 170s. Then 180s. Then 190s. It's a slow climb. Over a couple of days.
We watch Ira.
Breathing harder. Nose flaring. Chest and abdomen pulling.
Ira's working hard.
You and me? We breathe effortlessly. Not Ira. Not now. It's a workout for him.
He's sweating.
Go see pediatrician.
Eyes swollen. Blue around the eyes.
Oxygenation not great. Mid 80s.
"Go to the hospital," she says.
We go.
Chest x-rays, blood tests, urine sample, trach culture. You name it.
Wait all day in the emergency room.
Hours upon hours.
Tests slowly come back in.
"Here's a steroid and antibiotic," the doc says. "Keep an eye on him."
Duh.
With the first dose of 'roid and antibiotic, Ira shows signs of feeling better.
Back at home late at night after long day at hospital.
Tired. Everyone's tired.
-
posted by jch at
10:21 AM
4 Comments:
So sorry that Ira is sick. Will pray.
God grant you peace, rest, and good health!
I know I haven't commented in a while, but just wanted you to know that Jason and I have never stopped thinking of and praying for your family and especially for Ira. I wish that there was more we could do to help you through those long days. Your daily struggles are some that most of us will never understand. Keep fighting!
I'm so glad you ALL got to go back home. Is this a first?
You know that we always pray for your family.
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