what a week

Every now and then there are moments in your life where everything just stops.  There may be dirty dishes left a mess, holiday obligations unfulfilled, social events missed, and work expectations unmet...and it just doesn't matter.  We just made it through one of those weeks.  

Every member of our family of four has been fighting off some sort of cold over the past two weeks.  Everett especially had a runny nose and a cough that would not go away.  The night before Thanksgiving at a family event I could tell E was just not himself and his cough was getting rough.  I even told Tom, "I really hope this doesn't develop into something worse."  

We made it through Thanksgiving and then Friday morning we realized Everett was running a fever and was sluggish.  We kept him home instead of cutting down a Christmas tree (per family tradition) and we could tell he wasn't feeling well when he chose to lay down on the couch (he's quite a mover most of the time). 

Saturday a small fever turned into fever and hives.  Hives were everywhere.  His face, chest, arms, legs...everywhere.  After Benadryl barely changed the presence of his hives it was off to Urgent Care where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.  Yikes. He was put on an antibiotic and sent home.

By Monday his breathing was quite labored and the fever/hives were still present.  We went back to the doctor and were told to give it more time.  More time turned into continued breathing problems and another appointment on Tuesday.  We were thankful for the fish tank in the doctor's waiting room and the iPad to help him get through these long doctor appointments!

On Tuesday upon further reflection of his X-rays and his lack of response to the antibiotic, our doctor diagnosed him with Mycoplasma Pneumonia (walking pneumonia), which is pretty uncommon in kids Everett's age.  A new antibiotic was prescribed along with steroids and breathing treatments that made Everett appear high and jittery.  

Wednesday morning brought a fever/hive free Everett but continued breathing problems.  It felt like we just couldn't get his breathing under control, so it was back to the doctor.  They checked Everett's oxygen levels, which should be around 97, and they were between 85-90.  When the nurse read these low numbers she quickly whisked us into another room and put Everett on oxygen.  At this point our anxiety is flaring.  The doctor comes in and informs us that he needs to be admitted to the hospital.  We kind of expected this, but what we didn't expect is that he would need to be taken there in an ambulance.  

The ambulance wasn't going to arrive for an hour and a half and when we commented to the nurse that we could drive there ourselves quicker she said it wasn't a good idea because "kids this young can go downhill really fast."  WHAT?! This is a terribly scary thing to say to an already anxious mom.  

We then spent over an hour and a half wrestling with a very upset Everett to keep his oxygen on.  It was awful.  Really awful.  Thankfully Tom was with me so we could tackle it together. I think E, Tom, and myself all took various turns crying.

The ambulance came. They were wonderful with Everett and he was so excited to ride in a "big truck" where they also let him watch Thomas the Train on the ride.  Watching E get loaded into the ambulance was simply gut wrenching.  He is such a sweet, sweet boy and I hated seeing him in such a sickly state.  I could cry even now if I think about it too long.

Everett was taken to Children's Mercy Hospital and assessed.  That hospital is simply wonderful.  They did such a great job of taking care of Everett and confirmed his diagnosis of mycoplasma pneumonia.  We continued his antibiotic and he was given oxygen and monitored constantly.  He did okay with it all but hated the beeping machines and the restriction of his movement (one of the sensors was attached to his toe).  He kept asking to go home over and over again. It was heartbreaking.  

My parents watched Asher so both Tom and I could stay with Everett.  We prayed and prayed and prayed and asked others to pray.  God moved quickly and 24 hours later Everett was deemed well enough to come home.  Praise God! 

E got to play doctor when they examined him.

Children's Mercy knows how to please on a two year old train lover.

Baby Asher was allowed to hang out with us throughout the day.  He was great for our hearts. 

Granny came with some of her crazy antics. 

Gramps got to cuddle up with E while watching things on the iPad. 

Everett was excited to get taken off oxygen (even though the process of the O2 removal was not his favorite). 

Fuzzy pic, but E is free of all monitors and cords! 

They took him out of the hospital in a wagon! How great!

 Everett was so excited to come home and has continued to recover well at home.  He's still not fully back to normal, but a follow up doctor's appointment yesterday confirmed that he is much better. 

While we were in the thick of the sickness it just felt like time stopped and Everett couldn't turn the corner.  But God was near and family and friends stepped up to help us out and so many people joined us in praying for our little man.  Now that were on the other side of all of this we feel so blessed and thankful.  We're thankful for a God that is with us in all things and who is a healer.  We are thankful for Everett and are reminded that it is such a gift to have him in our lives.  

Thank you Jesus for getting us through this crazy week.