Chat - Ian's Back Home - Learned Alot - Long

[Guest guest]

Whew! We are finally back home. I'm only going to take a few

minutes to type this - the boys are SO happy to be home. I haven't

even had the chance to review all the posts - but, I will definately

check on everyone.

We started our journey last Sunday going into the hospital here in

VA, then again on Wednesday. By Thursday evening, Ian seemed to be

doing okay and they released us so we could drive to DC to drop off

my 3 1/2 year old with his Aunt's and cousins and then off to New

York. We finally got to NY at about 12 Midnight. Ian wasn't doing

so well in the middle of the night and by the time we got to Dr. H

in the morning he was really sick again. He started having more

diarreah. When Dr. H saw him - she noticed he wasn't doing very

well and immediately put him on an IV. Needless to say - he was

admitted for the third time last week - but, this time in NY. Well,

Ian's blood sugars were a little low (in the 70's & 80's) and we

soon found out after being admitted he was spilling quite a bit of

keytones. We kept him on D10 from the time of admission Thursday

morning until 4 AM Sunday. By Monday morning he was off the IV and

eating great by lunch (half grilled cheese sandwich, half banana,

and about 4 ozs in liquids).

This experience has been quite a rollercoaster. Ian has never been

this sick before. I have learned A LOT. I wish I would

have " understood " a little more about what everyone was trying to

explain to me about spilling keytones. I didn't realize the

connection it made. Now that we have been through this scary

ordeal - I am that much better prepared to face future situations.

Ian was poked and prodded so many times - it was incredibly

heartbreaking. All his fingers, toes and both heels were pricked

constantly. He had 3 IVs and one failed IV attempt and a blown

vein. His last was in his foot - keeping him from moving around.

He was irritable and angry for being in the hospital and hit me and

pinched me constantly. Every time a nurse or doctor came in - he

would say " please don't hurt me " . And when they were finished

messing with him he would say " thank you " . Every chance he got - he

would tell me or daddy to " go away " . It was a miserable experience

for all of us the entire last week.

was at his cousins Thursday through Monday and it he cried

every day. He has NEVER been out of either my husband's or my care

for that long - nor has he slept anywhere without us - ever. So,

needless to say - he's very happy to see us - but, also " mad " at us

too for being gone so long. He also has complained of a sore throat

this morning, has been sneezing and is coughing.

For all those out there who may have been where I've been and

thought you knew more than you did - or for those who may not know

what do to - I have a few things to say.........

Check Keytones! Very important.

Check Blood Sugars! Very important.

And, make sure you stay in the hospital until your child is TOTALLY

eating and drinking normally.

I heard all that advice - and although I understood most of it and

didn't all of it - I have learned that all of those things are very

important to the success of getting your child better during a

vomiting/diahrea illness. I know I've learned even more - I'm just

too tired to write it all down!

As far as Dr. H is concerened. I've never met a more passionate and

caring physician. She is amazing. And, although we didn't get to

the tasks we were supposed to for our first visit - I'm looking

forward to seeing her on January 27th for our next appointment. Dr.

H really is awesome and she goes that extra 100 miles to help our

children. Although it wasn't the best decision and she was a little

upset that we brought him ill - it was great to see her in action

and I feel even that much better with my decision to have her as our

Endo. I just wish I would have known to make that decision earlier

on when Ian was younger.

As far as my friends here on the listserve - thank you SO much for

all your help, advice, and comfort. Thank you so much Jodi R, Jodi

C and Chrissy for calling me at the hospital. It meant so much to

me and as you know - I really needed your support. I was bummed I

didn't have Jodi Z's number! I owe her an apology for not asking

more about keytones!

I'm so happy to hear from Dr. H the walk went well. I only wish we

could have been there.

When we had Ian weighed at Dr. H's on Thursday before our drive

home - I saw Pippin, Sheldon's grandaughter Laikyn, and ! It

was so nice to see everyone! They all looked so good.

THANK YOU AGAIN so much for all your support!

Well, now I have to pay attention to my children - in the comforts

of our home - all day today. No cleaning, no laundry - just eating,

drinking, playing and resting.

I'll try to catch-up on the posts later today to see how everyone is

doing.

Thanks for listening.

- H (Remember - it's me H!)