Lemony Snickets and Other Life Paralells...and Prayer Request

[nikked]

For those of you following my ongoing saga, here's the latest.

Caroline (2 years) gets her cast off on Wednesday, which we are so very glad for. She gets around just fine, but bathing her is a nightmare! Counting down the days.

Theresa (6 years) sees a specialist on Tuesday. She started developing "adult hair", which isn't right on her little six year old body. So, off to the Pediatric Endocrinologist (sp?) we go. Initial blood work shows everything okay so far, and most of the time, this kind of thing just happens, but all the bad stuff has to be ruled out first.

Our oldest, Mary, has had a very difficult last few years, and is now living with my mom (also Mary) to try to get a fresh start. That has been very rough on me emotionally, to say the least. But also physically, because I have no day-to-day help now. A run to the store for milk takes about an hour with everyone in tow! Must plan my grocery shopping better, at least until school starts!

Mary over the past few days has been complaining about her eye hurting, and now her eye lid and into the temple is VERY swollen, and red and purple in color. So, off to the ER they go. Her doctor wanted her where she could be admitted if necessary, so they can't go to an Urgent Care.

That's the update, and the prayer request. It's scary being far away from her right now. Thanks so much for all your support, love, friendships, and prayers!

 

[KellyTheChef]

Nicole~

I don't know how I missed it, but this was the first I remember hearing of your kids and everything. I remember that DH was in Iraq...but the other stuff is news to me. I am sorry that you are dealing with so much at once! I will keep all of you in prayer....keep us updated!

 

[tlennhoff]

*snugs* that does all sound scary. Prayers for health for all your family members coming your way. Remember to take care of yourself during these stressful times, even if it is something as simple as a 20 minute buble bath at 11pm, it can help charge your batteries and give you the strength to be there for everyone.

 

[quiverfull7]

Nicole... I'll pray for you and your family... been there done that with an oldest child and stuggles so I know how a mom's heart feels in your situation. PM me if you need to vent further... I'm thrilled to hear that she is living with your mom and not with a stranger! God is good!

 

[nikked]

Thanks everyone.

Here's the link the link with the update from just after Tony left for Iraq, for those of you wondering how in the world Caroline ended up in a cast!

 

[nikked]

Duh...here's the link...

http://www.chefsuccess.com/showthread.php?t=22920

 

[nikked]

Update...

After waiting almost an hour and a half, she was finally triaged. At which point, they announced they were "fast tracking" her through.

Trying really hard not to "awfulize" things. But the doctor wanting her to be where she could be admitted, and now her being fast tracked is really making me nervous. My mom is a [former] RN, and feels confident that all is okay, and I keep trying to focus on that.

Thanks...

 

[tlennhoff]

You must be going crazy. I cannot imagine having to go through this and not being able to be in the hospital in the doctors faces to know what is going on. It sounds like she is getting good care and that you are getting regular updates.

 

[nikked]

Final update...

Thanks for all your prayers.

The doctor was able to tell right away that she has a stye (sp?). Usually, they pop up along the lash line, but this one is way up on the inside of her eyelid. The swelling was her bodies reaction to it. What caused it? We don't know and probably never will. They gave her antibiotic ointment that my mom will have to put WAY up in the eye, and they will also use warm compresses.

If it's not better in a couple of days, she'll have to see an opthamologist (sp?), but more than likely it will just go away with the treatment. The only thing that makes me nervous at this point is the swelling, but the doctor wasn't concerned, so I'll try to trust them!

Thanks again for everything!

 

[janetupnorth]

Sorry you are having such a rough time with all the medical issues - praying that it gets better for you!

 

[katie0128]

Update...

After waiting almost an hour and a half, she was finally triaged. At which point, they announced they were "fast tracking" her through.

Trying really hard not to "awfulize" things. But the doctor wanting her to be where she could be admitted, and now her being fast tracked is really making me nervous. My mom is a [former] RN, and feels confident that all is okay, and I keep trying to focus on that.

Thanks...

I know it is done with now, but just to give you a peace of mind about the term "fast track". This is basically a classification that ER staff use to quickly identify the general type of care a patient is going to need. Fast track is used in an ER for patients that require less monitoring by the RN/MD - it does NOT mean on the "fast track" to being admitted. In fact, it means the opposite... fast track patients are usually out of the ER quicker than "medical" patients. If they KNEW she was going to be admitted, she would not be a fast track patient. Patients that are fast track usually have things like fractures (but not compound ones), sprains, sinus/ear/eye infections, simple suturing, minor burns. On the other hand, patient that are "medical" need more constant monitoring by the staff - typically things like multiple, recurring medication administration, IVs, catheters, various constant monitors (BP, cardiac), extensive radiology tests or lab tests, etc.

My guess is that her MD wanted her in a place where he could admit her JUST IN CASE, not that he thought it was imminent, just as a precaution - especially if he didn't see her before the ER visit. Infections can be tricky things - sometimes they seem minor, but really aren't. Other times they seem really bad, but a little antibiotic clears it up right away. If she was seen in Urgent Care and then had to be transferred to the hosptial for admission, there is more paperwork for the staff at both facilities to complete and would take much longer for her to get through the admission process. I'm sure he was just sending her to the ER first to avoid it all if necessary.

HOWEVER, I'm glad to know it is just a stye... Very annoying - especially for kids - but easily treatable when addressed quickly with the right medication!