2010

2010 in numbers
11 trips to the ER
4 ambulance rides, I,K,K
9 admissions: I,I,K,I,K,K,I,K, I
28 nights
4 different hospitals: Elliot, Boston,Franklin Memorial, Roanoke Memorial
1 scheduled surgery (I's triple scope, ear tubes)
1 unplanned surgery (I's central line)
111 medical appointments, 2 for Morgann

phew.

Snapshots of a day...five months later

Do you ever look back and have like a snapshot of yourself? Well, five months ago, K was at Elliot. He was sick. Not too bad - but just bad timing. We were supposed to leave for SC the morning he was admitted and I sent Rich and Morgann on to SC. Our friend Diana took Mr. I. I took the ambulance to the hospital. It was one of our ER all nighters. I was EXHAUSTED and emotional. Very very emotional. Did I mention I was tired? So Dr. Crazymaniam of another hospital was stirring up stuff with the Health Dept and with Elliot. (Once again, she was WRONG!) So on top of Rich being gone, having a sick child, having no sleep, and not really knowing where my other baby was, I had Dr. Crazy trying to get K transfered.) I put my foot down and Elliot was awesome and supported us. But I WAS DONE. One of those moments, when you cant do anymore. I couldnt sleep, eat, puke, or think. Though I felt like doing all three. I needed OUT of the hospital. I called my awesome friend Marie, but she was babysitting Mr. I (found him at least!) and another baby and her own kids and they were napping but she could pick me up in an hour or so. I called Kris next. She answered and was able to come to the hospital within a few minutes. I got in her van and LOST IT. Tears and snot and all....totally lost it. Got home. Didn't have keys. So I broke in my own home...nice. I got to the kitchen and just lost it even more. I remember sobbing over the sink. This is my snapshot - me sobbing over the kitchen sink and apologizing to a not present Morgann for not being able to go to SC with her and for all the doctors appointments and stress we put on her over the last year. I don't know what Kris said or did. But she was THERE. Somehow she got me to callm down...and got me to lay down and just breath.. She found care for Mr. I. She helped me find my keys. I dont remember what happened next. Thank you Kris. Somehow Mr. I was delivered to another foster family who lovingly took care of him for a few days. I somehow got back to the hospital - and was sent home by our awesome nurse Lori, who assured me she would call if anything came up and that K was her only patient and she would stay with him all night. She did and he was fine and he came home the next day.

So here we are, five months later. And we are okay. Morgann is fine. She is happy and loves her brothers. K is doing pretty good minus a runny nose and lots of drooling - darn molars! Mr. I is also doing great and finally doesnt puke everything all the time. Rich is a loving dad of three. And me, I am just remembering what we have been through and so thankful that its been FIVE MONTHS. And its been so worth it. And even if we do have some crisis happen and we are in the hospital again on Christmas. It will still be okay. God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. In sickness and in health. All the time. Even when I am crazy. God is good.

5 months!!

5 months!! Elliot Hospital, we love ya! But its so good not have been in patient in over 5 months!!

This is HUGE for us.

K hasn't had to have daytime supplemental oxygen since May too. Yay for getting healthier lungs.

Treating Special Needs kids holistically

I have said many times, that I feel so blessed and fortunate to have Dr. O as the boys PCP. She is truly an answer to prayers. I know that their health has improved ten-fold since being seen and treated by her. Part of it was probably just growing stronger and older, but I know the other part is Dr. O. We treated our last ear infection for K with garlic drops. He was better with in 24 hours. No antibiotics required and no repercussions of yeast.

I follow a couple blogs of medically needy kids. They all receive wonderful, loving care. However, I have to wonder, how would these sweet kids respond if they were treated holistically versus using conventional medicine? I wonder if doctors integrated holistic care with the conventional treatment, what the success rates would be? One guy I read about, is resistant to most antibiotics, would grape seed extract work for him? (K and I have both had wonderful success with GSE a few infections ago.) I do realize that it is really uncharted territories. Would even attempting holistic treatment be worth the risk? I simply can't answer that. Though the boys are considered "medically fragile" their level of fragility is minute compared to many of their peers who are seen by the same Complex Care doctors.

We have been antibiotic free since the summer. Yet, we do use conventional breathing treatments daily. We aren't anti modern medicine. However, I do wonder if perhaps we could find breathing treatments that were holistic based and see how they work for the boys. They are chronically congested and nasally. (Though I do remember Morgann being pretty snotty all the time her first few winters, maybe its normal snotty-ness) Colds for us are a pretty big deal. They have a normal amount of colds, however, we have to treat them much more proactively than Morgann who only get a tissue and snuggles.

That said, I am again thankful for the guidance of our doctor and the ability to treat the boys more naturally. (Morgann is still antibiotic free at the age of almost 6.) But, I know if crisis hits again, we will do what it takes to see the boys healthy again - round the clock albuterol, prednisone, IV abx...)For now, I do think our holistic treatment is working well to prevent those events.

Happy Birthday Sweet sweet boys!

My guys turned two!

We had a wonderful birthday party for them filled with friends and family.

Everyone always said 2 is the magic number for their health and development and for the past month or so, it seems to be. They are doing so well. I am so happy to have these little men in our lives.