WoW!!!!

What a week! If you haven't heard, Kameron ended up back in the hospital. This time is Salt Lake City. Last week, we thought Kam was on the mend and he was. He was getting stronger each day, eating and drinking, and was ready to start back to school when we got home from Salt Lake.

We knew something was up, when for about 4 days, Kameron drank and drank and drank anything he could get his hands on and peed and peed and peed every 30 to 45 minutes. The kids and I had been planning a trip to SLC for Jamey and Dave's, and Rock and Jen's babys' blessings on Easter for a long time. We didn't know if we would come until right before. It all depended on Kam. He was feeling good and so we decided to make the trip. We had a lovely weekend with family from all over the area. Saturday, the kids hunted for eggs and candy. Sunday we attended two sacrament meetings to witness two very special baby blessings. Everything went as planned until Monday morning when we woke up and began to get ready to drive home.

Kameron refused to get up. He said he was dizzy and didn't want to eat anything. He also felt warm and had a 101.2 fever. Obviously, I knew I had to have him seen. I called our pediatrician in Casper to see what they thought. They suggested trying to get into a pediatrician down in SLC, but my sister's couldn't see him until 4:00 pm. That wasn't going to work for him so we came to the ER at Primary Children's Hospital.

We spent the rest of Monday in the ER trying to get Kameron's blood glucose down to a proper number (it was in the 580s). His acids and bases were all out of whack which put him in a condition called DKA. (serious hyperglycemia with ketoacitosis). Monday was super long and super hard.

Since Monday night we've been on the the 3rd floor with amazing doctors and nurses taking care of Kam and teaching me everything (not hardly) there is to know about Type 1 Diabetes. It has been incredibly intense. In addition to learning of Kam's new diabetes diagnosis, there was no explanation for his fevers which got worse and worse over the next two days. He tested positive for MPV, (metapneumovirus) a pretty common cold or respiratory virus that settled in his chest on top of his still healing pneumonia. We waited until this morning to finally receive the images of his chest x-rays and CT scan from Denver to make some comparisons. There was a scare of a possible bone infection (which could still exist, but not likely- we'll get him checked in a week if he's still sick). Today the doctors are quite confident that his fevers and coughing are due to his virus and pneumonia. Today he has been fever free so hopefully he's kicking this virus. Now his oxygen just has to stay up and we'll be released tomorrow.

Once again, my amazing husband has been at home playing Mister Mom with the three other kids (my dad was going to Casper on Monday for business and took the other kids home). I'm so thankful that we were already in Salt Lake to be able to be at Primary Children's and for my dad for taking the kids home. My mom has been with me all week. She had planned on traveling with my dad but stayed with me when we realized we'd be in the hospital. I've been well taken care of by sister, mom, grandmas, grandpas, and aunts and uncles. I especially appreciate my aunt Kristy who is helping me begin to understand what it's like to be the mother of a diabetic child.

On another note, I got in my car at Jamey's house yesterday morning (my mommy stayed at the hospital so I could get a decent night's sleep) to come to the hospital and I had a flat tire!!! Seriously, we can't catch a break. The alignment was slightly off and all four tires had been wearing on the inside where we couldn't see and had to be replaced. (Stupid car, I hate that car... if you've been around a while you've heard me say that before...)

So, once again, I cannot wait to be home. I cannot wait to get back to some normalcy (with glucose checks and insulin shots 4 to 5 times a day).

I had planned on my next post being a fantastic update with pictures of my healthy boy all better and doing great, but sadly that hasn't been the case this week. SO, my next post will be all that and more.

Kameron is doing great today with all the pokes and shots. He feels better and is joking around and playing and being silly. We went outside 2 times and played and walked around. He's eating so much and he'll be back to his 42 pound self in no time.

Love to you all, Joey

Our darling Kameron is finally home!!!!! We were released from the hospital yesterday about 3:30 and decided to stay the night at the Drury Inn (where the fam stayed each time they came to visit). The kids swam, we got food, and Kam and I slept uninterrupted for the first time in over 2 weeks. It was beautiful.

This afternoon we stopped in Cheyenne and walked around the Botanical Gardens. We decided we need to visit it again in the summer because it looked really nice and the children's area was closed today. We ate at Old Chicago (thanks Manor Heights) and got home tonight about 5:00. It's so nice to be home. I just want to climb into bed and sleep for 3 days, but of course I'm starting laundry and unpacking. Steve did such a good job keeping up with the house. I'm quite impressed actually. Thanks baby!

As soon as we walked through the door, Kameron wanted to open the rest of his birthday presents. Steve had brought a few with him to the hospital, but there were still some here at the house. He had a blast opening and playing with his new toys. He enjoyed some mint chocolate chip ice cream and cherry soda. In a couple of weeks we'll reschedule his friend birthday party and have chocolate soccer ball cake.

He has to be really careful walking still and he CANNOT run. If he even attempts to speed up, down he goes. Poor thing. I hope it doesn't take too long to gain his strength and balance back.

Kameron is so happy to be home! I especially am thankful to have our family back together again.

Love to you all, Joey

Kameron's Free!!!!!!!

So last night, Kam's doctor came in and checked him out and said we would probably be out today! The only and last requirement would be for him to be able to keep his oxygen up on his own through the night. He did it. First thing this morning, Dr. Morse came and did her assessment and told us we were released!!! So I called Steve and he had just dropped the kids off at school. He went and picked them up an hour later to come and get us.

This afternoon at 3:00 we were discharged! Kam will be on antibiotics for another week. He has a follow-up appointment with his pediatrician on Monday. He's doing great but is still very weak. He can't even attempt to run without falling down. It's going to be so hard for him to not just be a 6 year old boy. I know now though that he'll just get better and stronger each day.

As for me:

I'm exhausted and my body has given up on me. I feel like I'm coming down with something. I just need sleep and my own bed and house!!!! I'm so grateful tonight to have our family back together again. I'm grateful for the doctors and nurses at Children's hospital for making my son well. I'm grateful for our Heavenly Father's plan for us and for his hand in all things. I'm grateful for friends and family's prayers, thoughts, support, and money.

Love to you all, Joey

Day 14

It looks as if we might get to go home Saturday!!!! If all continues the way is has, Dr. Sarah says she expects Kam to be ready to get out of here Saturday morning.

Today has been full of playing. We started the morning with an early x-ray down in radiology, ate some cereal and then we were outta here. We've spent almost the whole day outside of the room. Sandy (child-life specialist) has provided us with so many fun things to keep Kameron entertained. Last night she gave us 2 different treasure hunts with things to find and questions to answer about the hospital. We completed both of those last night and this morning. He picked 2 treasures (a picture frame and notebook to write in) and asked for more treasure hunts. So we've done a third and we'll do the fourth tonight. He's been keeping a little journal in that notebook today. "I am in the hospital. My lungs are sick. Now I am playing pool. Now I am reading a book." Too cute. Brent, you would be glad to know he's practicing his reading, writing, and counting.

Right now he's sleeping. He's wiped out from all that hard work (playing). (See pic above.)

He changed into his own shirt today too (Toy Story3). I can definitely see my baby coming back. He's happy, he's becoming stronger. I can't wait to have the family home together again!

Love to you all,

Joey

Day 13- No More Tubes or Cords!!

Today has been the best day yet! Kameron is IV free, tube free, cord free, and oxygen free! He was switched to oral antibiotics tonight so they removed his IV earlier today. He has spent most of his time the last few days with his mask just dangling around his neck like a necklace and has been able to to keep his O2 level up, so today they took the mask off all together and his level has been fine. Still no fevers.

This morning, Kam got up to play with a race car track that he'd checked out from the play room. I set him on the little couch and we started to put it together. The next thing I knew he was climbing all over the couch and even up into the window sill to make the track perfect. I was so excited I couldn't stand it. Next we set the track up in his bed and he was climbing all over the top of the bed too. Right after PT came and took us for a walk around the "block." That wiped him out! As the day went on, he got a little more tired and needed to rest and took a nap, but tonight we went out again and did 2 treasure hunts around the hospital. He bought some BBQ potato chips to eat while he rode up and down and all around on the elevators and in hospital to find certain things on the list. It was pretty fun. He picked his own movies and books from the volunteer office twice today.

He's becoming a little feisty and he's cried a couple of times that he just wants to go home. I do not blame him one bit! He has been through so much these last two weeks. I'm having to parent again- I must say, it's a nice feeling. I'm getting my boy back.

His chest x-ray from yesterday after the tube was pulled showed a little new accumulation of liquid which they said is normal. The radiologists, doctors, and surgeons all looked at it and say that even though there is still significant white-out, they believe that the infection is under control and that his body will be able to absorb the rest of whatever fluid shows up. They are more reassured by the way Kameron is acting than by the look of his x-rays. They will do another one tomorrow morning to see if anything has changed. Everyone who listens to his lungs says he sounds better each time they listen.

I'm still hoping to get out of here this weekend. We'll see. They keep saying, "No guarantees."

Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, packages, money, meals, gift cards.... etc etc etc......

Love to you all,

Joey

The Tube is Out!!!!!!

Look! No tube!!! (and a new IV)

The draining machine detached from our son. This was the 2nd machine. Both were filled to 1200 CCs.

We began the day today with the tornado of surgeons at 6:30am like usual, but this morning they had great news. They wanted to take Kameron's chest tube out today. It was bitter sweet and made me nervous. I didn't know exactly what to expect and I was worried (and still am a little) that his lung would fill up with fluid again. They assured me that what little fluid that may build up will absorb into his body now that the infection is more under control. They did a chest x-ray 4 hours afterward to make sure there were not air leaks and everything looked real good.

Kameron has been fever free for 36ish hours now. The chest tube is out and his IV only has to be hooked up to receive antibiotics. So the only cords and tubes are his oxygen and oxygen sensor. This makes it much easier to get around. He went into the bathroom today for the first time.

So when Kam woke up this morning, I warned him that I had good and bad news. The good was that the chest tube was coming out, and the bad was that he had to have a new IV put in. Last night, his old one stopped working. It started to leak and the fluids weren't going into a vein anymore, they were pooling in his arm a little. So one of the nurses removed it last night. He took one dose of antibiotic orally last night, but his doctor is not comfortable switching over completely yet, so Terri (a great IV putter-in-er) did a new one this morning, sadly in his right arm. It was so cute and a little pathetic when he started talking about having 2 bad arms now and that he couldn't do anything by himself now.

This afternoon, we spent like 2 hours out and about the hospital. Kameron wanted to see all the places the other kids and I have been talking about all this time. We visited the 2nd floor where there is a model of the hospital built entirely of Legos. We went to the 1st floor to see the continuous moving ball machine (you'd have to see it-it's impossible to describe). The 3rd floor to see the aquarium, the gift shop where he picked out two small souvenires and a present for Dr. Sarah (a clip-on moose for her stethoscope). She loved it! We stopped in the volunteer office and picked a new movie, and the activity room for a game and a puzzle. When we got back, he was truly exhausted. (He rode in a wheelchair the whole time.)

Tonight, the two of us took a short walk to a waiting area right by our room. He walked, I drove the oxygen tank, and the two of us looked at the city lights and read 2 books. Mr. Greene, he read most of GO DOG GO.

A note to the little kids in Kameron's life who've been praying for him and fasted on Sunday for him: IT WORKS! I've felt your sweet prayers for Kam and have seen the Lord bless us through this trial. Thanks so much for believing and helping us get Kameron better!

Right now, the goal is to be able to come home this weekend. Our doctor believes it is very possible, but of course, no guarantees. There are always too many unknowns.

BUT, today was a great day!!!! Love to you all, Joey

Up and Moving

Today's theme was getting out of that stinking bed and moving a little bit. First thing this morning Terri, a physical therapist, came to help Kameron begin to strengthen his muscles again. She had him push her with his feet, pull her with his arms, lift his bum up so a stuffed bunny could go under the bridge. He got up and practically took off running across the room. We're all scream, "NO!" cause his tubes won't go very far, but he was way into it. It was nice to see him want to get up and move a little bit. Terri was fantastic! She was fun and Kameron really liked working with her. Someone will come back tomorrow to work with him again.

Later this afternoon, Mom and I took Damon, Keely, and Briton to the Denver Zoo. It felt so good to get out of this hospital! Of course I thought of Kam the entire time, but it felt good to be outside and walking myself! It was a pretty nice zoo. Whatever you do, don't ride the train. Not worth it! Took a bunch of really great pictures.

While we were gone, Kameron and Steve ventured out and walked two laps around what Kam called the "block." (Kameron was in his wheelchair) Our floor is set up in a big rectangle and you can walk all the way around. He was very proud of himself. I can't figure out how Steve pushed the wheelchair, the oxygen tank, and carried the chest tube machine by himself. It took three of us tonight to carry everything.

Steve and the kids drove home to Casper tonight. They will get back to school, and hopefully the next time they come, they'll be picking us up!!

I've been bringing projects back from the activity room all week and Kameron finally expressed some interest in seeing this mystery place. So Mom, Kathy (our nurse) and I pushed and carried all of his gear to the activity center where he checked out the video games, some toys, and picked another art project to bring back to the room. When he gets his chest tube out, it'll be much easier to go places, maybe even to the first floor, where there are entertainers almost daily.

This evening a musical group came into the room and sang and played. Guitars, shakers, harmonica, tamborine, and vocals. They were pretty good. Kameron smiled so cute like he couldn't believe they were doing this just for him.

As for his health: slowly but surely he continues to make progress. He had a mild fever this morning but none since. He is weening just a bit off of his pain meds. His tube is draining hardly anything anymore (I think that's good now cause there's not much more to drain). His breathing is so much better, so much more slow and deep, and not distressed. His doctors and nurses can hear air movement more and more each day in his lower right lung where they could hear NOTHING at first.

Today was a good day! Love to you all, Joey

Right this moment, Kameron is snacking on broccoli, carrots, and cucumbers with ranch in his bed. He can have ANYTHING in the world and he chooses veggies!!!! He's ordered salads many times too. Just had to share that totally weird bit of info.

Kameron has spent 3ish hours out of bed today. His swelling in his feet and tummy and "you know where" is much better so it wasn't as painful for him to stand and walk a little more today. He sat with me in the chair 2 separate times to put together his Lego Star Wars kit from Grandma. It looks awesome and he is so smart following the directions.

Instead of radiology coming to our room today with the x-ray machine, he got in a wheelchair and ventured out in the hospital to the radiology department, and sat on a stool for his x-ray. When we got back to the room, he sat in the wheelchair for a while and worked on his Legos. When daddy got here, Kam got back in bed and they played Halo together on the XBox.

I left the hospital for the first time since Tuesday. My mom and I took the kids to Bass Pro Shop and to TGIFriday for lunch. Bass Pro Shop was having a kid day. Damon, Keely, and Briton signed up for the activities and learned how to shoot bows and arrows, colored a backpack, rolled up a sleeping bag, tried on a life-jacket, and practiced casting a fishing pole. At the end they spun a wheel for some kind of prize.

I enjoyed myself, but it was very tiring. I'm so out of shape. It's amazing how fast one can atrophy and stiffen up. My back was so sore afterward. It's going to take forever to get back into shape. BTW: my sweet darling husband brought me my air mattress. Thank goodness!!!

Kameron has smiled and laughed and shown more expression in his face and especially his eyes than he has in almost 3 weeks now. His chest tube hasn't done much today.

His x-ray shows more to come out still and he has still had a couple low-grade fevers. They're keeping him on the stronger antibiotics and oxygen, but they unhooked his IV fluids today. He's been drinking enough to stay hydrated. I think the surgeons will continue to TPA (flush the tube) until they are satisfied with the progress in the x-rays. The surgeon who spoke with us today said he's making progress, but "not out of the woods yet." I asked, "You mean not out of the woods for surgery?" He said, "Yes." That was not what I wanted to here, but he is getting better slowly but surely. Right now- it is my belief we'll still be here all week this week. I just hope that it's not much longer than that.

Thanks so much to everyone who is praying for our little Kam and for those who joined in a fast today as well. We feel your prayers and know that our Heavenly Father is watching over us and protecting our baby. I believe in the power of prayer and fasting and I know that he is going to get better more quickly because of it. Thanks so much for your love!

Love to you all, Joey

Kameron's Birthday!

Kameron is getting to be a master manipulator.... These are his "prizes" for doing things the doctors and nurses ask him to do- well some of them anyway. The alligator from his daddy was bitten by a tiger on the tail so he has a band-aid. He also has a chest tube like Kameron so he has a dressing on his side. Each of the animals has been given a name and a sticker.

Presents from the hospital

Kameron woke to birthday decorations around his room and a Happy Birthday banner first thing this morning. His entire doctor team came with presents and a home-made card. They sang to him and stayed to watch him open three presents from the hospital. The first was a Star Wars ship and Obe wan Kanobi figure. The second was a Toy Story 3 raised velvet coloring page and markers. The third was a playdough set for him to build a little terrarium scene. One of the nurses was also holding a gigantic stuffed rattle snake.

Decorations (I don't know why my computer take pictures backwards.)

Stuffed rattle snake

Kameron continues to improve today. The chest x-ray was much better this morning since yesterday. He chest tube continues to drain. Some really disgusting goop is coming out now. They say that's good. It's pulling infection and possible deadened tissue from the chest now. He didn't have a fever all day yesterday. He had a little controlled one last night, but hasn't had one again today. He's playing with his new toys from the hospital and watching SO much TV!!!

Steve and the other kids are on their way here now. The charge nurse is going to allow Damon Keely and Briton to come to the room for a little while for a birthday party. Steve is bringing a few presents and the hospital is providing a cake. This will be the first time the kids will have seen Kameron since last Friday.

Many hours later: It's 10:00pm now. Kameron had a lovely day. His pain is more controlled (he gets morphine as needed) and he just had one little beeny fever this afternoon. Steve and the kids got here at 5:00. It's still respiratory season for another week and kids under 13 aren't allowed on the entire floor, but Kameron's nurse made an exception and allowed them to come in the room for a party. Kameron received a dose of Motrin and Oxycodone right before they all got here so he was in pretty good spirits and in no pain the whole time they were here. Kameron opened several presents from his Grams and Grandma and Grandpas. Our nurse had Damon, Keely, and Briton help decorate the cake. they drizzled chocolate and frozen strawberries on the top and put 6 pinwheel toothpicks in. It was so cute. I forgot to take pictures while everyone was here so I don't have any to post right now, but Steve took a bunch with his camera so I'll post some later.

Tonight, his second chest suction machine (the first stopped working but had take 1200 CCs) has taken 1090 CCs from his lung since yesterday at 5:00pm. It's doing great. The surgeon who came in tonight to flush the tube again said he didn't think there was much more fluid in there so we'll see what comes out during the night. He even suggested the he might be able to take the tube out in the next day or so!!!

Today was a good day! Love to you all, Joey

Good day today!

Kameron had a relatively good day today. The surgeons attempted to flush the tube again to get his lung draining, but again nothing happened for hours!!! I was just checking things out and asked the nurse about the little bend or kink in the smallest part of the tube. She re-taped it and VwaLa!!!! he started draining again. We're waiting right now (11:30pm) for a surgeon to come and flush again to keep it going through the night.

No fever ALL day today (until about 8:00 and that's under control now) so that is good news! He spent the day doing his "jobs." Eating, drinking, and playing. He got out of bed and walked a few steps and then sat in my lap in the chair while one nurse changed his sweaty sheets.

My mom is here!!! I've been here for 1 week now and we're still looking at quite a bit of time I think. No one will give us departure date cause nobody knows how little dude is going to do. I'm so glad to have an extra set of ears and a shoulder to cry on. I have an amazing mommy!!!

Kameron has filled the room with homemade crafts and coloring and painting projects. His balloons from school are in the corner. His card and posters from Grandma are hanging on the bulletin board along with the posters Keely made him. His bed is filling with stuffed animals. He has 7 now. He's really learning how to get what he wants (making deals with the nurses and blood takers).

So I feel today was a good day. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Love you all, Joey

Day 7 at Denver Children's Hospital

Warning: random unorganized thoughts ahead:

Today was a LONG day... I started out this morning being told by our resident doctor Sarah that there was more to the CT scan than originally told to me the night before- that there was consolidation (gunking and clogging) in the lower right lung as well as some of the lung not receiving blood and parts of the lung dying because of it. We then waited around for rounds and were told the same thing. They kept him in Pre-op all day which means he couldn't have a single bit of food or drink. During the night last night, his chest drain machine stopped working right, and nothing was draining anymore from his lung. They replaced the machine and nothing. They decided to try a procedure where they shoot medicine into the tube to unclog it. The first time, nothing. The second time, nothing, until 3 hours later. In the meantime around 3:00 we were given an operating time of 7:00pm. The resident surgeon had me sign consent forms. I had my soda and purse in hand to go to the waiting room. A very sweet lady with Child Life Specialists came and explained to Kameron what would happen during his surgery. He was so scared this morning of that word. He didn't understand what it meant, but knew it was scary. He felt much better after Sandy helped him understand. At 6:30 (when we were supposed to be heading to pre-op), our nurse called in that his drain had sucked 175 CCs in just an hour and a half (that's a lot!!!) So they called off the surgery and are watching his dumpage. It's crazy how much fluid is draining out right now. It's a good thing. One of the surgeons guessed that there was 900 CCs in there so we'll see in the morning how much comes out. This is great news. His little lung is very fragile right now and there are some risks for doing surgery. They want to avoid it if at all possible.

So here's the plan: I think: The nurses watch output very closely tonight. If it slows again, they do the flush again. Everyone reconvenes in the morning to decide what's next. There is still the possibility of surgery, but if he'll keep draining, he will get better. His fevers are still persistent and his breathing is still hindered. He's in quite a bit of pain today. He didn't move around, and he couldn't eat.

He finally got to eat about 8:00. He had Ramen noodles and goldfish crackers. His tummy got really upset, but that settled down and he ate one of my chicken nuggets and a few fries (thanks Kristi).

So--- from what I can tell, the drain started working right as our ward prayer calling chain began. What a blessing and testimony that our Heavenly Father is there for us and hears our prayers. I can feel all of your prayers and I know that the Lord is here with Kameron and me. One of our first nurses talked about guardian angels being all around us in this very special hospital and I believe that completely. Thank you for your prayers and the fast coming up Sunday. Anyone who would like to join in a fast for our little man Sunday, the more the better.

Love you all so much,

Joey

So Kameron had a good day again today. It was filled with painting ceramics, playing Sorry with one of the nurses, lots of good food, treats, and drinks. He got up to walk and took off before the nurse was ready with his chest tube. He wanted to get it done and over with so he could get back to his crafts. The respiratory therapist brought him a marshmallow shooter to help with his deep breathing.

For lunch he had delicious biscuits and gravy and green beans and a shirley temple. (I have to admit it was pretty good!) Otherwise he eats Rice Krispies for every meal.

His oxygen level and breathing rate are a little better. His breathing treatments are going much better. He's able to push out a lot more air and breath a lot more slowly.

I love that I'm seeing glimpses of my regular 5 year old. He's a little feisty and a lot picky. He's going to be super spoiled when we go home (I'm sure he'll expect to continue to be waited on hand and foot).

My mom suggested we make some charts to keep track of some progress- maybe how many steps he takes or minutes each time he gets up to walk. He would like to graph is activities each day.

This morning the doctors decided to do a CT scan on his lungs to find out more about exactly what they are dealing with. They wanted to know if the pus is starting to gunk up and not drain anymore because the output on the chest tube has significantly gone down. They found that the liquid is still liquid and the tube is still in place (good news) so they will watch his output over night tonight and make a decision in the morning on whether or not he needs help (possibly surgically) to remove some of the pus and fluid. I have to say, when I looked at the scan, it did not look good. I would never have guessed that my little boy's lung was in that bad of shape by the way he's acting and doing so much better.

Please continue to keep Kameron in your prayers. Love to you all, Joey

Kameron at Children's Hospital

Kameron with all his stuffed animals.

Al Gator, Buster, and Teddy

One of our nurses yesterday suggested setting up a blog so that all of our friends and family could be updated on our little Kam at the same time. Duh- I have a blog, albeit I haven't written for over a year. So here goes! Reader discretion advised.

A little history:

Friday March 25 was the first day that Kameron started to show an signs of being sick. He started coughing and coughed almost constantly for about 24 hours. He stayed home from school and we thought he's be fine by Monday. Saturday, though, the fever came. He had a temperature of about 102 to 104 until Wednesday. We treated him for flu (fluids, motrin, and lots and lots of rest). Wednesday afternoon his temperature dropped to normal and his cough seemed like it was going away. We were relieved, but then Thursday, his belly began to hurt. His temp stayed around normal so I thought all the IB Profin was getting to his stomach. We tried to get him to eat, but he wouldn't eat more than a couple bites of anything. He continued to drink water and gatorade through all of this though so I didn't think that he was dehydrated. Thursday night, the stomach pain and coughing was getting worse and the fever returned so we decided it was time to see our pediatrician. I hadn't made an appointment, but wanted to get him in so I went straight there after dropping the other kids off at school. Dr. Green was off so we went to Dr. Quinn (on-call). He checked Kameron out noticing how dehydrated he looked (I didn't know what that looked like) and thought we might be dealing with influenza (like I thought), but wanted us to get to the hospital right away. I dropped off my little Briton at Amber's (she sent me with lunch, quarters, and some money---I cried!!!) and off we went to the pediatric floor of the Wyoming Medical Center where the nurses kind of freaked a little. They were really worried about him, and got an IV started right away. They said he was the sickest guy they've seen all year. Doctor ordered blood tests and a chest x-ray. Took a little while to get all this done and get the doctor over to decide what to do. At first, the nurses were diagnosing him with diabetes telling us this is the way most parents find out for the first time. His blood sugar was like 542 or something completely outrageous. The chest x-rays told a different story and Doctor suggested that we go to Denver since he doesn't do chest tubes very often and doesn't have support staff or a children friendly ICU. We said, "Okay, let's go." So about 2:00pm Kameron and I loaded up on an ambulance to our airport and were life-flighted to Children's Hospital in Denver, CO. That was scary. Our great friend Todd was on his way to the hospital already (he's a doc) and helped Steve give our little man a priesthood blessing. Chuck (the main medic on the flight) was so nice and great with Kameron, but kept warning me that he may have to intubate Kam in flight. He didn't We arrived in ICU at about 4:00pm. Steve and the other kids came down in the Mazda that night. They stayed at the Drury Inn where they have enjoyed free breakfast and dinner and popcorn and soda. Pretty great hotel. They would recommend it to anyone!

Since we've been here:

Friday night was full of IVs and tests and pokes and x-rays. Within 2 hours, the attending doctor was ready to put in a chest tube. They sedated him with Ketamine a terrible hallucinogen drug, removed about 300 ml of fluid via syringe, inserted a chest tube, and hooked him up to a little suction machine. They warned me again that they might have to intubate him, but didn't.

That first night was awful. The sedative caused him not to know where he was. He woke up every few minutes fighting all the tubes and other monitors hooked up to him. At one point he pulled his IV out and had to be restrained. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday consisted of test after test, chest x-ray every morning, blood draws every day and oxygen turned up pretty high. He has put out an additional 900 CCs of fluid and pus. Monday he got out of bed a few times and sat in the chair with mom and dad. He walked just a little and was given the okay to move out of the ICU.

Monday night was a little rough because his medications were all late because of the move so his fever was up and he felt pretty crummy. His breathing rate was fast again and his oxygen was a little on the low side again. (He's been on oxygen the whole time).

BUT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAS BEEN AMAZING!!!!!!!

I've seen a glimpse of my little boy again after a week and a half!!!! I've had a hard time not tearing up (from joy) today watching him do some things for himself again. He opened his own milk for dinner and ate a few bites of cereal on his own. He's shifting around in the bed, and learning forward on his own. This afternoon, I went to the activity center and picked out some crafts and a book. He made a foam visor for himself and a foam doorknob hanger for Keely. He's working on a very detailed coloring picture of turtles for Damon. Tomorrow we'll find something for him to make for Briton. Right now we're having movie night (Planet 51) with popcorn and juice. His spirits are good today. He's so much more happy than he has been, smiling and he even laughed once. Kam got the best gift today-- a cuter than cute little teddy bear (he asked for one after his finger poke this morning) attached to 4 balloons from "his friends at Manor Heights." (They didn't know about that and it was perfect!)

As for me:

I started out really sad of course and worried and panicked. Each day has been a little easier especially because he's doing better. (No guarantees though-doctors say there's still a lot of pus in there and he still has fever. If it doesn't keep draining through the tube they may have to go in surgically to remove more and reposition the tube. We'll know more in the morning after x-ray).

I got here with 2 outfits, 2 undies, my toothbrush, and my make-up. Oh and my computer... of course I remembered that! (I had it with me cause I was going to do homework at the hospital in Casper.) Steve and the kids brought me a few more things and my dear friend Kristi brought me some snacks and clothes (she totally saved the day). Each day, I've spent a little time with the other kids in the waiting area (they're not really even allowed in the hospital since it's respiratory season) but no one said anything. Yesterday we out on the town while Steve stayed with Kam. We hit Bass Pro Shop and bought a shirt and cargo pants for me and then we ate at TGIFriday. We were gone a good 2 1/2 hours. I know that I need to get away a little but it's hard to leave my little dude. He does pretty well while I run and get games or drinks or dinner. If I need a longer break while Steve and the kids are home (they left today) I can have one of the volunteers come and sit with him. He might like that. I think they would play a game with him or something.

THE BED IN HERE S$#%CKS!!!!!!!! THE PAD IS LIKE AN INCH THICK!! but I actually haven't been too sore. 3 to 4 hours sleep each night. Last night I dreamed though, that's probably a good sign that I slept a little deeper. I don't have anything to do my hair with except one hair deal and one bobby pin. (Kristi bought me a cute hat too.) I grew a monster third eye (zit) on my forehead on the way here in the airplane. I bonked my eyebrow on the door jam at the Mexican restaurant Saturday night and it's swollen and sore still. Hmmm... what else? But it's not about me. I have to take good care of my little boy! My mom and Maggie would be so glad to know that I'm eating my veggies and fruit and drinking a ton of water. I can't get sick while I'm here and I'm worried about that because I'm staying in a hospital and I'm sleep deprived.

We can fell your prayers and we know that they are helping us. We can see the Lord's hand in all things as we go through this awful traumatic situation. We love you all! I am going to try to update everyday to keep you all informed.

Love, Joey