I don't even know where to start with this one....we have had sickness around this house since the beginning of January, but this past week was the worst of it.
So last weekend we had planned a family trip to Blue Ridge. Because of the crazy snow storm we were not able to get to our cabin and therefore had to come back home. (long story that I might get to in another post) As frustrating as it was, God always knows what he is up to and it ended up being a good thing we came home. We started noticing on Sunday that Cade was going downhill quickly. What had been a nasty cough for almost 2 weeks turned into labored breathing and lethargy. We decided we were definitely going to take him to the doc first thing Monday morning....we didn't make it to Monday. After he woke up from his nap on Sunday, and I could tell it was taking a lot of effort for him to breath, I took him straight to Children's Healthcare. (I feel like pretty soon these people are going to know my name and greet me when I walk in the door) Although the wait time said 2.5 hours they always triage you right when you come in to make sure it isn't urgent. Needless to say we didn't wait even 10 minutes. When the nurse took us back and weighed Cade, he had lost a couple of pounds and he can't really afford to lose any weight! Then she put the little clip on his finger to test his oxygen level....she couldn't get it past 90 and it should be at 100. I began to grow very nervous at this point. The nurse became very concerned and said we had to get in a room immediately and start a breathing treatment or oxygen. My heart is pounding out of my chest....why didn't I bring him earlier...how long has he had trouble breathing...I am such a terrible mother...how could I not know this.....is he going to be okay.....what is going to happen..... My mind was racing!! Then before they could even get him on oxygen he started throwing up. Now I am really freaking out!!! I am shaking, have sweat dripping down my shirt and hives from my chest up! After a breathing treatment and an xray, they couldn't get his oxygen level up so they put him on oxygen and said he had to be immediately transported to Scottish Rite. I had held back my tears to this point, but then the nurse looked at me and said "Are you okay? You are covered in hives." I then began crying and tried to explain that my body always reacts that way to high emotion situations and I just wanted to know that my son was going to be okay. After the doc came in and told me he was going to be fine we just had to get this under control, I got myself together. So Cade and I had our first experience together in an Ambulance. Cade did so good and was so brave but he did not want them to beep the loud siren! The story just gets better from here....We got to Scottish Rite and after sitting in the ER on oxygen, they said they still couldn't get his oxygen levels up so he needed to be admitted and we would probably be there 2-3 days. I just had no idea that pneumonia could hit you this hard, but it definitely did!! While in the hospital Cade did so good. He had to be on oxygen for 24+ hours and had to get an IV to take blood and put meds through. They also had to constantly monitor his oxygen levels, so he had wires everywhere! He was such a good patient though...he did get to sit and watch TV 24/7!! After 3 very, very long nights in the hospital we got to go home.
I obviously didn't have my camera with me, but I took some pics with our laptop.
This was just after they had taken all of the wires off except for his IV.
blowing bubbles with Daddy (this was part of his physical therapy) He always came to life when Daddy got there! Joe informed me that Cade is now a daddy's boy...he use to be a mommy's boy. That's okay though, it was so cool to see him get so excited when his daddy got there!
Finally feeling better and being silly :)
He became very weak through this whole process, so by the last day we were really trying to get him out of bed and walking. He hardly had strength to stand at first and had trouble keeping his balance, but after a few walks he was doing better. He had to wear this mask when he left his room.
Since we've been home, Cade has made great progress!!! He is finally getting back some energy and not sleeping as much. We are slowly getting our old Cade back and I am so glad. I never knew how much I just wanted to hear that little voice say "momma." He was so weak and lethargic at the hospital that he literally didn't talk for 2 days. Thank you God for healing my baby! What a scary experience and I am just so glad he is okay! Here are a few pics of him resting at home...so good to be home!!!
I don't know who missed Cade more while he was gone, Luke or Daisy...
As for Luke...he is still Luke...and I missed him terribly while I was gone!!! He got SPOILED ROTTEN while we are in the hospital and we are paying for it now!!! :) He missed Cade so much while he was gone. The first night Cade was away Luke could not get to sleep. My mom finally asked him what was wrong and if he missed his "bubba". Once she said that, she said he just crumbled in her arms crying that he missed his "bubba"!! So sad, but I am glad to see they really love each other!! I talked to Luke many times at the hospital and he always asked if he could talk to Cade. Finally by Tuesday Cade was starting to talk again and he got on the phone and talked to Luke. It was so sweet and Luke was so excited just to hear his voice!! When we got home they just hugged on each other. I love these boys and I am so glad they have each other!!
This week was so hard and we couldn't have done it without the help of our family and friends. I feel so blessed to have family and close friends that love us and would do anything to help us. We feel very loved and it is a good feeling!
Now that we are home Joe has been sick and running a fever and I haven't felt so good either. Lord, please just give us all good health...I don't know that I can take much more...
Day 2 - The boys, especially Luke, have been begging to have a picnic outside so on Saturday we did just that!! Joe had been working in the yard and took his shirt off to get some sun.....next thing I hear "Mommy, can we take our shirts off?" Me - "No, thats probably not a good idea...I'd have to put sunscreen on you." boys - "but daddy took his shirt off!!!" I look at daddy and sure enough he has his shirt off....so you will see who won that battle!!
The boys have been in a kick about cheese balls after watching the movie Alvin and the Chipmunks....so their favorite babysitters, Joi and Robbie, went to several stores until they found actual cheese balls and brought them to the boys Friday night. They are not spoiled at all...
