 |
| found on Pinterest |
Yep. Pretty much sums it up. Our day started really early, with Lucy's psychological testing starting at 8:00 at St. Jude. Things were going fine until about 1.5 hours into the testing. Lucy began to get sleepy and things kept going downhill from there. I was immediately concerned and took her straight to clinic. Thank goodness we were at the hospital. She gave everyone a scare, that's for sure. They started an IV, did a ton of blood work and ordered a head CT. By this point I was as close to a true panic attack as I've had in a long time. She was just so sleepy. We could get her to wake up, but all she wanted to do was sleep.
These times are never easy, but they are so much harder when I'm alone. My sweet husband quickly joined me as we waited for answers. Thankfully, her CT was clear and they are just assuming she was dehydrated from diarrhea. She got some fluids and they, thankfully, let us come home. Just barely over C-diff, she has started a 3 week antibiotic for a nasty sinus infection. This could get really interesting. Do you take the chance of the infection leading to meningitis or do you risk getting c-diff again? In the words of Dr. R today, "your damned if you do or damned in you don't." All we can do it pray.
As we were leaving the hospital after then there for almost 12 hours, I was in quite a pissy mood. Just keeping it real, folks. I had to make a quick stop at LeBonheur and as I was driving down Poplar, one of the busiest roads in Memphis, there was a brawl in the middle of the road. I mean the middle of the road. Cars were stopped in all directions and all we could do was honk. One poor kid was being beaten by about 8 other guys. I was scared to death and felt so helpless. The mother in me wanted to jump out of the car and save him. My heart was racing and I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. I called 911--that's all I could do.
As I drove off, watching this kid get beat to a pulp, all I could do was pray for his safety; knowing that there would probably be a murder tonight related to this fight. I then started praying that even while I feel like my life is falling apart, I have so much to be thankful for. I have a safe home where I can keep my kids protected from the craziness of the world. There is nothing I can do about cancer, but I am so blessed to be able to care for my children. It aches my hear to think about how those boys grew up. Did they have a father to teach them? Did they have a mother to love them? Did they sleep in a warm bed at night and did they have 3 square meals a day with unlimited snacks? Did they have the chance at a quality education. The answer is probably no to most of those questions. Oh, the very thought just breaks my soul.
I wish I could make it better for them. I wanted to put that boy in my truck and bring him home. But I couldn't and now all I can do is pray for him. I will also pray for the boys that were being so violent. I'm sure their lives haven't been easy either.
My children may never know how much I love them, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to show them.
Your eternal optimism, even on bad days, is so inspiring. Lots of prayers that Lucy is feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. I don't understand, though, why you have to choose between the potential of c-diff OR meningitis. ("Just barely over C-diff, she has started a 3 week antibiotic for a nasty sinus infection. This could get really interesting. Do you take the chance of the infection leading to meningitis or do you risk getting c-diff again?") I know Kate is so busy - could another reader explain this to me? Thanks.
ReplyDelete
DeleteIf the sinus infection goes untreated the infection can spread to the brain. That would cause meningitis. On the other hand, antibiotics cause c-diff and when you've had it before you are much more prone to get it again
Just wanted to throw my two cents out there about the risk of c diff reoccurance. My oldest had it five times within a year, it was horrible. During that time he was on one probiotic, and we kept changing it each time he got it but he kept getting it. Then one day I started alternating the probiotics, and he hasnt gotten it again in over five years now! He has had tons of antibiotics but no reoccurance. We do Culturelle 3 days a week and the fluorastor the other 4, and when he was allowed dairy I would also make sure he ate yogurt whenever on antibiotics too. Praying hard for no more reoccurance for Lucy
ReplyDeleteCan't read post-?format issue?
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear the scans are clear!! Praise God! Continuing to pray for you Lucy. Praying against this infection.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Ella!
ReplyDeletePraying!
ReplyDeleteRest when you can. Thanks for sharing.
Man... It's past time for sweet Lucy to catch a break! Keeping her in my prayers daily.
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely breaks my heart to hear of all the violence in memphis. Born and raised here, and seeing a fraction of it that enters LB- I must admit, my head is still in the sand about the harsh reality, as I remain safe and warm in my home. Really sad/similar case that just left the hospital. Thanks for raising my awareness re: this, Kate
Hang in there, Kate. You are absolutely amazing. Your honesty is what draws others to you....and to Jesus!
ReplyDeleteAntibiotics kill the good bacteria in the colon, allowing the c-diff to grow. The longer the course of antibiotics, the more likely that is to happen. I'm not sure, but I think Lucy's previous meningitis was related to a sinus infection. So she was saying that each of those treatments could cause serious problems.
ReplyDeleteBTW..praying for you Kate and Lucy. I know how hard this is.
Kate, I don't have details (apologies for that), but I remember recently reading an article about a doctor in Atlanta who was doing a new therapy to treat c-diff with really positive results. The treatment involved transferring healthy bacteria from a donor family member directly into the patient's colon. Over 90% of the patients were cured and in record time. I don't recall if children were involved in his practice or not. I know the teams in Memphis are the best in the world, and I'm sure they know. I just thought you might be interested in any information. I'm so glad Lucy's ct was clear! My little girl and I pray for Lucy every night, and I pray often throughout the day. I'm in awe of your strength. You have taught me so much about my own relationship with Christ. Thank you for your fierce bravery and honesty! Continued prayers for you all!
ReplyDeleteKate, what I think yhou witnessed was a gang initiation. The one being initiated has to submit to a group beating to become one of the members. When I taught in Memphis, I saw one not far from my school. It cannot happen on school grounds, as they well know. Crazy!!!!
ReplyDeleteAre there any antibiotics they can give her that will help the sinus infection but are less likely to bring back C-Diff? I had C-Diff four years ago, and they told me to always tell everyone anytime I need an antibiotic so they can give me one that would hopefully not bring it back? Good Luck!!! Praying for Lucy :)
ReplyDeleteI had to come back and just let you know I am sickened for this boy who was beaten up. How horrible for something like this to happen on the busiest street!! So sad that nobody was able to help and very thankful there were no knives and guns. I too am praying for this boy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
<><
Oh Kate, My heart aches for you all, Poor Lucy, It has been such a long long time that this little girl has been sick and she is the most amazing little fighter. I have to say we all know where she gets her fight and strenght from though. You are such an inspiration to so many and so true to all. I want to Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being real and letting us know exactky how you feel. I believe that is the only way to let everyone know what you are going through in such awful time in your life. I don't feel like you have ever complained to much and you say exactly what you are feeling and have had to endure. I can not say enough about a True Person that you are. Thanks you for that. I hope Jack is feeling better and I pray for Lucy's test to come back perfect and also her being sick to end. You ALL need a break NOW. Take Care. I can not imagine what you have all gone through, you don't deserve this.
ReplyDeleteKate, I am so sorry and I had been worried about Lucy when you said she had that sinus infection. I'm still here praying for y'all and will continue to do so. I pray that Lucy begins to feel better and that your family has a very blessed Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteOh my Kate. I can not imagine that scene. How scary. Life, if we only could stop and understand each moment for its worth. We know not what so many other's are living daily. We get so caught up in "our" worlds. I am thankful for you! I am thankful for my family! I am thankful.
ReplyDeleteI pray for you every day! I can't imagine the ups and downs of your life right now. Hugging you all the way from Iowa! grandmapatti
ReplyDeletewhen you were saying there's nothing you can do about the cancer, that isn't entirely true. you are not in control of it, that's for sure, but you are BEYOND blessed to be able to give your little girl the best treatment possible! we as a nation have access to health solutions that some can only dream of.
ReplyDeletejust tonight, i was thinking about how in some countries my own health condition would've killed me by now. even just simple pain meds - i know that i have meds here at home, and if it's so severe they don't work, all i have to do is go to the ER and they will help me feel better, with medicine or a spinal tap or surgery, they can do whatever is humanly possible to be done.
i saw a fight like the one you described once, in 2008 when we were at the gymnastics Olympic Trials in Philadelphia. my Mom took me as a treat since i spend so much time sick, and that trip saved my life because in preparation for it we discovered the increased pressure in my brain which would've killed me otherwise because i get migraines daily & wouldn't have known the pain wasn't from that. anyway, we saw this teenager being beaten and kicked in the head - HARD. we called 911 as well, though the dispatcher didn't seem to care much. i still wonder what happened, though i searched online a few days later and nothing came up so hopefully he's alright.
anyway, praying for you & your family and miss Lucy!