Sunday, June 12, 2011

Hospital Diary, Abbreviated (Don’t have time to type a full version….)

Prelude:
Sunday, 29th of May- Ricki had been coughing for several days, but with no high temperatures. Yet, knowing that she had once (as a baby) had pneumonia with low fever, I took her to the doctor, just to be sure that nothing was “cooking”. The doctor heard nothing in her chest and saw nothing in her throat, and I returned home assured that it was just another one of her innumerable colds.

DIARY
Wednesday, June 1st:
Ricki was still coughing, but more than that was not DOING anything. She would sit up sleeping (or half-sleeping) day and night. The doctor quickly sent me to the health fund to get a chest x-ray and blood saturation (“O2 sat” from here on) level. The O2 sat was 73, so we went dashing to the local hospital. They started intravenous antibiotics and an oxygen mask. At one point that evening (when her oxygen was removed for a few minutes) the O2 sat even hit a low of 60!

Thursday, June 2:
The local hospital noticed that there was fluid in Ricki’s lungs, so they sent us to a bigger hospital (Schneider), as it was evident that she would need a drainage tube. We arrived in the afternoon, and a drain was inserted, releasing a HALF LITER of fluid from her lungs. The whole night I was awake, fighting with Ricki not to remove her oxygen mask.

Friday:
Early in the morning, Ricki’s drain somehow got pulled out (Ricki DID NOT do this), and we went running to ICU (me dialing on my cell phone in panic to family members, saying just “PRAY!!!!”), fearing a pulmonary collapse. However, thank G-d, no air had entered the pleural space. In ICU they decided that Ricki’s lung were not strong enough to take her fighting the oxygen, and they intubated and sedated her.

Saturday night:
Ricki’s pupils were reacting strangely to light, and were not the same size. Although, 98% sure that this was due to her sedation, the minute possibility of intracranial bleeding sits heavy on my thoughts.

Sunday, June 5th
Her pupils are reacting better, but her kidney function i9s not 100%. I am half-reassured by the staff who say that this happens often with long-term sedation, but nevertheless, a mother ALWAYS fears even the unlikely alternative explanations….

Monday:
After large doses of Fusid (a diuretic), her kidney output is OK, but now the meds are making her blood pressure vacillate between 60/40 to over 200/ whatever. I feel that my daughter’s whole body is simply crashing down and I fight back the tears of my fears. However, the daily x-ray FINALLY shows a miniscule improvement.

Tuesday (date of my last update of the blog)
They insert an IV into her neck, as her arm IV is not flowing so well. They have to X-ray for this afterwards, so as she gets her third x-ray in 24 hours, I quip to the technician “Soon she’s going to be a ‘Glow-in-the-Dark’!” Only inside I am not laughing……

Wed:
Ricki’s x-rays are slightly better, but her O2 sats are still (especially for someone getting oxygen non-stop) pretty low, around 90.

Thursday:
Her doctors are still worried about her kidneys, and in addition wonder if some heart condition has not arisen (and been the cause of all this…). Ultrasounds of the heart and of the kidneys are done, but both come back normal, thank G-d. I take a photograph of Ricki under sedation, so that when we DO get out of here, I can make a book for Ricki explaining where the last two weeks went to…..

Yesterday (SAT. June 11)
Ricki LOOKS better, and her O2 sat (when receiving oxygen) are a lovely 97-98. However, the x-rays show minimal improvement. General staff consensus is that she WILL beat this, but that we are in for a long haul…..

Today: Thanks to you all for your prayers and good wishes.....

14 comments:

Debbie said...

Refuah Shlema for Ricki! By the time I hear of this, it looks like things are looking up. Glad to read that. I've now put you in my google reader so that I don't miss anything. (debbiesteps)

sara g said...

rifua shlema, again! hope she keeps improving!
remember to take care of yourself, too - eat and sleep and get some exercise (even if it is just in the hospital while ricki sleeps...)

galiah said...

been thinking about you and ricki for a few days-- glad to hear an update- sounds like such a scary and nerve-wracking time-- may ricki have a refua sheleima!

Kristen's mom said...

I hope things improve quickly. I've been thinking about Ricki, than darn Pheumonia is so hard on children.

Ariela said...

Thank you for taking the time to share. I was very worried. Refuah shlemah

Becca said...

Glad for the update and for the bit of improvement, but really hope she continues to get better quickly!! ((hugs))

Batya said...

Thanks for the update
refuah shleimah
and take care of yourself, too

Anonymous said...

Refuah Sheleimah, I am thinking oif Ricki in my tefilos

Ruchi said...

Ricki is definitely in our thoughts...hope you get out of the hospital soon!

Bracha said...

Wow! Sounds like a real roller coaster! Come on Ricki! We're all rooting for you!!

Hope to hear more great news soon!
!רפואה שלמה

SunnySacramento said...

Thanks so much for update.

I want to echo sara g-take good care of yourself to keep up your strength to take care of Ricki

Will keep Ricki in my prayers for a refuah schlemah.

Staying Afloat said...

Refuah sheleimah (and i do mena complete) and hatlachah rabba. May Hasem give you all strength.

Pink (AKA Lucia) said...

Hi, hope things continue to improve for Ricki. Pnemonia is a very nasty illness to have. I had pnemonia as a child and it was no fun. I will continue to pray for Ricki and for you too as well. Hang in there!
- Lucia

sara g said...

Shabat shalom and praying for Ricki