My leukemia's back.

[bruceha2000]

I found out, as long as the kids are well, they are allowed to visit.

Yeah that is a big change from years ago. I remember my grandmother had a heart attack and while my older sister (2.5 years) was allowed to go in to see her my younger sister and I were not. Don't remember the age cutoff, maybe 10?

Glad she is home, her siblings are THE BEST!

 

[getaclue]

It's amazing the aura, or whatever it might be called, changes so much.

 

[room onthebroom]

Where did everybody go?

Yesterday, my youngest granddaughter got into my brooder items, and grabbed a Little Giant thermometer. You know, the cheap ones with the laminated plastic paper markings, with the glass tube clamped to it. She pulled the glass part out, and bit the bulb, breaking off a very tiny piece. I knew for fact the liquid inside was not mercury, and was not really concerned. I was going to suggest her mother give her some Metamucil, then a dose of Colace the next morning, for a couple days, and under most circumstances, that should be all that was needed. Knowing that in today's age, IF there was a complication of any type, her mother could be in trouble for failing to seek medical attention, etc. Her mother took her to the E.R. at the nearby hospital. I stayed home to watch the other grandchildren.

The hospital checked the baby out, gave her something to drink, did X-rays, etc. They told her mother she was fine, and sent her home. They went to Dairy Queen, and got something to eat. When they got home, the baby went to bed, saying her stomach hurt. She had a long day, and of course, she probably had gas. An hour later, the baby woke up crying, complaining her tummy hurt. My daughter rubbed her tummy a little, and she went back to sleep. An hour later, the same thing happened. An hour later, it happened again. When she woke up crying the 4th. time, and had this tummy ache for 4 hours, I asked my daughter what it was they gave the baby to drink at the hospital. Was it contrast, for the X-ray. She didn't know. I was gong to have her call the hospital to find out, but the baby was still crying about her tummy. I told her to take the baby back to the hospital. I went with her.

When they took her vitals, they used a type thermometer that looks sort of like a stethoscope, and they slid it across her forehead. When they got done, I asked what her temperature was. They said 101. I knew that was WRONG. I had kissed her temple (never the forehead), and she didn't have any fever when we left the house, and it had risen maybe half a degree. At this point I went outside, and called Dd #2. She met me, and we went inside together. When we got inside, they had already put the IV hookup into the baby's arm, and drawn blood. The nurse said the bloodwork showed nothing. Again, I knew that was WRONG. The lab had not had enough time to process the bloodwork. Again, I kissed the baby's temple. I told the nurse that the baby's true temperature was about 1 degree above normal, but not over 100 degrees. I also told her there was no way the lab had time to process the bloodwork. I demanded they bring in an accurate digital thermometer, and take the temp again. Just to prove me wrong, the nurse did as asked. Her temperature was 99.9. The nurse was shocked. My daughters were not surprised in the least. When I asked to see the results of the bloodwork, the nurse had to confess it had not been processed yet. At that point, we were thinking about taking her to the big hospital in Tampa, when the doctor came in. He chased the nurse out, and requested a different nurse. He really wanted a CT scan done, but due to the fact she had X-rays earlier, and because she was a baby, he didn't want to expose her to that much radiation in 1 day, unless it was absolutely necessary. He was going to try an ultrasound first. I asked about the type of ultrasound equipment.

It's hard to do a good ultrasound on a child's stomach when it hurts, because they have to press on the stomach. The kid is going to resist, move, etc. Unless it's the new 4KUHD equipment, it's almost impossible to get a good image. Yes, they have the latest equipment, since it's a new Pediatric E.R. They took her, and her mother back to do the ultrasound. While the baby was still on the table, the tech called the radiologist, and the doctor. The doctor had them take a picture of it, and when they send my daughter, and granddaughter back to the room, the doctor handed me the picture. I turned it around, and said, her appendix is badly inflamed. I mentioned that is was bad enough, it should have shown up on the X-ray they did earlier, or enough to warrant an ultrasound. Why was she sent home with a clean bill of health? He had no answer for that, but he did assure me that their pediatric surgeon was top notch. He gave me the name. Yes, he is a good pediatric surgeon. She was scheduled to have her appendix removed this morning. They started her on fluids, and IV antibiotics. By now, it's 4:00 am, and I still had to drive home.

I got up early, tended the chicks, fed the cats, and took off to the hospital. I got there as they were taking her to surgery. My daughter, and I ate breakfast, and waited. It took about 20 minutes, then she went into recovery. They got my daughter a few minutes before they expected the baby to wake up, so she would wake up with a familiar face, and not be scared.

The baby's pediatrician came in to see her. He apologized for all that had happened. I was right, and the X-rays plainly showed there was a problem. She should never have been sent home. He was NOT happy about it. Everyone kept telling us that the baby's first meal would be bland, to see how she tolerated it, then her evening meal would be normal. If she tolerated the food, was semi-active, did some walking down the hall, and tolerated the pain well, she would be released tonight. They put in the request to discharge her, but her pediatrician said no. He called my daughter, and told her he had lodged a complaint about the hospital's mistakes, and will come in tomorrow, because he wantes to thoroughly review everything that has transpired since he saw her this morning, before releasing her.

Oh wow clue! What a stressful & terrifying experience. I'm glad shes home & doing better!!!

 

[getaclue]

Good morning Team Rachel. Praying for a pain free day for everyone.

 

[sourland]

Good morning Team Rachel. I will 2 X geta's wish.

 

[drumstick diva]

what a sweet sister and brother

 

[oldrooster]

GAC thanks for the update, glad things are working out for your family. and on a separate note, thank you folks for putting up with me over the many weeks. I am just starting to feel "normal" again. I know now more than ever that I have to make my own way, alone and decisions for ME and me alone. and understanding the scripture to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves...

 

[Alaskan]

GAC thanks for the update, glad things are working out for your family. and on a separate note, thank you folks for putting up with me over the many weeks. I am just starting to feel "normal" again. I know now more than ever that I have to make my own way, alone and decisions for ME and me alone. and understanding the scripture to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves...

I am very glad you are starting to feel like you.

 

[getaclue]

I am very glad you are starting to feel like you.

X2

 

[sourland]

I am very glad you are starting to feel like you.

Absolutely. We're here to support it's Rachel's way. Good morning Team Rachel.