Back at Club Vandy

Ryan ran a low grade fever off an on this week, had a cough and runny nose - finally on Thursday night it hit 101 - so we headed for the ER. We had already been to clinic that day, but as Murphy's Law goes .... we had to wait until we were back home to hit the 101. Bless Ryan's heart, he hid behind the Christmas tree and cried when I told him we had to go to the hospital. I have to admit that on my drive there - I had some of those jealous thoughts, as I drove down 21st I could see people having dinner in several restaurants and I longed to be a normal family - one that can just gives their kid some Tylenol or Motrin when they run a fever and then call their pediatrician in the morning if they aren't better - I wished that all 4 of us could be sitting down and eating dinner together. I want it if for Ryan ..... I want it for all of us. I wanted him to get to go to his cookie exchange at school on Friday that he was so excited about ..... it just makes me sad. Anyways ..... we are still in the hospital and his fever stays down for a while, then it will spike in the late afternoon. His blood counts are extremely low - his neutrophils ( these are the white blood cells that fight bacterial infections) are 50 - normal is 5,ooo - 10,000 - so he has nothing to fight anything with right now. He is on an antibiotic, but so far his blood cultures are negative so it is most likely viral. The great news is - he feels really good, eating and drinking well - actually because he is drinking so well they aren't making him stay hooked up to the IV fluids - he is thrilled to be "free"!! (as free as you can be in your room - he can't leave his room at all) and that makes such a difference in his attitude- he is free to bounce around the room. He decided that for some reason since he isn't hooked up that he could sleep on the couch with me - now, that was an interesting night and we were smushed like sardines. He only lays on his right side because his left side has the needle in the port - so at one point during the night he informed me that I would have to turn over because I was breathing my stinky breath on him - excuse me, where would you suggest I turn ..... it was a great nights sleep with my face being smashed into that couch. I kept trying to sneak off and get in his bed but got caught everytime - :)! Crazy boy ...... overall, he has the best attitude once he deals with the upset of having to be admitted - he called it the stinky hospital - ha! I agree, however, I am thankful for the stinky hospital and thankful for doctors who don't take chances - even if it does mean we have to do this. Please pray for the fever to subside, for no secondary infections, and for his blood counts to start coming on up ...... and that we get outta here very soon!!!!! God always helps me get perspective on all of this (believe me, I need help with that on so many days!!) - our neighbors on both sides of us (meaning the other kiddos in the rooms next to us) - are both celebrating their birthdays .... in the hospital. Just reminds me ..... it can always be worse. Bless their sweet hearts ...... kiss your sweeties good night and thank Him that they are sleeping in their own beds ..... offer up some prayers for all the sweet children who aren't in their beds tonight.