Charlotte's Journey: Update!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Update!!

Ok, so it's been a while since I have updated and my daddy is really getting on to me about it, so here you go daddy!
My house is crazy right now, my life is crazy right now. The girls have managed to get sick this month for the exception of Anna (Thank God) and Charlotte has had a really hard time battling this. They all have the same symptoms: Cough, cough and more cough, runny nose and Charlotte has ran a fever. Last week she ran a fever for four days (tues - fri) and it went away but the cough stayed. Had a pretty good weekend and Charlotte started running a fever again on Wednesday and her color just wasn't the same. Charlotte has been super fussy and cutting teeth like crazy so I just thought maybe it was the teeth bothering her, but when I finally took her to the doctor on Thursday, boy I felt like a dog! Charlotte's oxygen level was 72 and the Dr. Donna called the cardiologist right away and it was decided to admit Charlotte to the hospital. We get a fancy escort to the hospital via EMS because the nurse had started Charlotte on Oxygen in the office and she needed monitoring on the way to the hospital.
The nurse tested Charlotte for RSV, Flu, and two types of whooping cough and everything came back negative, Thank God! So now the race is on to find out what is the culprit. Charlotte continues to run a fever every day and the doctor decides to start her on Tamiflu. Seeing as the flu test is only about 10% accurate, "what could it hurt", is what I was told. Seems that Charlotte is a bit anemic as well, so the doctor orders her to have iron drops. As of today, Charlotte has been fever free for two days. Charlotte just doesn't want to come off her oxygen. Usually her sats run 85 and now they are 74??? Dr. Lucas, the Cardiologist assures me that this drop in sats has nothing to do with her shunt, but I wonder???? The shunt is so small, (3.5mm) eventually this is going to happen. I am praying that if ANY surgery is required it is only a shunt revision, and not the Glenn! I just have to place my trust in the Lord and know that he is in control. So with the first trial of taking her off the oxygen this morning, she did ok at first...... notice I said at first. The monitor stopped working because the probe had just been used to long, so when I got her hooked back up her sats were 69:( So back on the Oxygen for a while and hopefully try again later today. I want to go home and see my other children. I have talked to them all but Emma. Emma doesn't like to talk to me on the phone so I miss her terribly, and I have spoken to the rest, but still I want to go home. I want to see my kids and hug and kiss them! So far we have been her at Greenville Memorial 6 days, way to long! Makes me wonder how mad I will be if or when we have to go back to Charleston! Not something I like to think about! Hopefully I will have something to update in a few days!

1 comment:

AnonymousFebruary 22, 2011 at 5:17 PM
So glad to see your update. I will continue praying for Chalotte... that her little body will be able to sustain her O2 sats. Praying, praying, praying!
Tina
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Heart Poem

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that he is just going for a visit. He is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. He asks,"Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies,"Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart". "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."

THE CHOSEN MOTHERS BY ERMA BOMBECK

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothes of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrog, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps- "Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally. she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted, She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see.... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice... and allow her to rise above them. "She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."