Madison update Sunday

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone Just wanted to send an update about Maddy.

She is still in the hospital but she may come home tomorrow. They think she

has an infection however the cultures so far are negative. I think she had a

fever from the vaccines she received that day. The blood clot is gone and the

port is working!! She may need a higher dose of Heparin to avoid another

clot but the surgeons aren't sure yet because her blood count is so low is it a

good idea to increase her blood thinner?? I will post as soon as we get home

and please pray that Louis has a better week at school because I can't handle

anymore problems right now.

Oh yeah tell me what you think weird or what............

Maddy fell and had a seizure on her birthday (this is when everything

started)

She went back into the hospital at her birthday party

We were in NY at Mt. Sinai for Shane's 2end birthday

Friday was 1st birthday and my uncle birthday party when we rushed her

back to the hospital

today was supposed to be 's party but we canceled it since she's still

there

Do you think we should cancel birthdays in t his family or what???

Chrissy

Mom to

Louis 6 Madison 4 Shane 2 1

[Guest guest]

Hi Chrissy

Yes, cancel all birthday parties......they are bad luck in your household!!

As far as Louis is concerned, I'm trying to think of something you could

buy or even make for him that is unique and special. Perhaps a special

" award " paper/certificate for the " big boy " who has helped his sister? All

kids react negatively to change and/or can sense adults being upset or

worried. However Louis is old enough to over hear adult conversation and

understand what is being said (if he has even heard ONE person say the word

" die " it will send him for a loop) or else he hasn't heard that word but is

imagining the worst.

Chrissy here's an idea (my brain is trying to come up with something fast).

Ok explain explicitly what has been done to Maddie. In simple words, using a

picture of a body, explain some of the major things that have happened to

Maddie. That will help Louis identify exactly what everything means and

takes away some of the mystery and his " interpretation " of what it is (which

is probably worse than it is, and is terrifying him).

Then have someone go out to the store and get a plant. A $5.00 house plant

will do, anything, but something that hasn't been in the house. Tell Louis

that you have bought that for Maddie but you would like Louis to be

responsible for caring for " Maddie's plant " until she gets better.

In that way, Louis can feel that HE is somehow caring for his sister and has

a hand in making her better. She'll be home but while she is recuperating,

Louis might continue to water " Maddie's plant " every day. You might even

tell him plants like to be talked to. Have him choose a good sunny spot in

the house to keep the plant. All you want to do is make him feel like he is

" doing something " to help keep Maddie well (oh p.s. whatever you guys do

make sure that plant stays healthy!!!! )

My prayers are with you and Maddie!! And the whole family.

Take care

Debby

Madison update Sunday

>

>

> Hello everyone Just wanted to send an update about Maddy.

> She is still in the hospital but she may come home tomorrow. They think

she

> has an infection however the cultures so far are negative. I think she

had a

> fever from the vaccines she received that day. The blood clot is gone and

the

> port is working!! She may need a higher dose of Heparin to avoid another

> clot but the surgeons aren't sure yet because her blood count is so low

is it a

> good idea to increase her blood thinner?? I will post as soon as we get

home

> and please pray that Louis has a better week at school because I can't

handle

> anymore problems right now.

> Oh yeah tell me what you think weird or what............

> Maddy fell and had a seizure on her birthday (this is when everything

> started)

> She went back into the hospital at her birthday party

> We were in NY at Mt. Sinai for Shane's 2end birthday

> Friday was 1st birthday and my uncle birthday party when we rushed

her

> back to the hospital

> today was supposed to be 's party but we canceled it since she's

still

> there

> Do you think we should cancel birthdays in t his family or what???

> Chrissy

> Mom to

> Louis 6 Madison 4 Shane 2 1

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

(oh p.s. whatever you guys do

>make sure that plant stays healthy!!!! )

>

If you're like me and don't qualify for a green thumb by any means, perhaps

a stuffed animal would be better...

Inga

[Guest guest]

The only thing with the Inga is that " anyone " can take care of a stuffed

animal. But there is a challenge to a plant and it refocuses the child's

attention to the care of this " living " thing.

I used that idea many years ago when I went out of town to my grandmother's

funeral. I was worried that Adam would freak that I wasn't coming back

because he was hearing " dead " and me crying and I just didn't want him all

upset. So the plant idea worked. I asked him to look after this new plant I

bought while I was gone so that I could have it when I got back. I still

have that plant in the house. But it was like his " promise " that mommy was

coming back. A stuffed animal wouldn't be the same (I don't think anyway).

Deb

Re: Madison update Sunday

> (oh p.s. whatever you guys do

> >make sure that plant stays healthy!!!! )

> >

> If you're like me and don't qualify for a green thumb by any means,

perhaps

> a stuffed animal would be better...

>

> Inga

>

>

>

>

>