H is for Hospital

{Warning: This is a VERY long post.}

I've been contemplating this post for a few days, not really wanting to relive the stressful events of last week and Gillian Grace's sudden hospitalization. But since I began this blog to chronicle all the big and not so big moments in our life, I decided that this was among the biggest events to happen to our family to date and definitely deserved its place in our bloggy history.

Around 4 a.m. on Monday the 24th of May, we were awakened from a sound sleep by the sound of a very upset Gillian Grace. Startled at first by the fact that she was crying {a rare sound in our household}, I immediately turned on the television to watch GG on the video monitor. Sure she would settle down after a few minutes of fussing and fall back asleep, my instincts immediately told me that something was wrong when after five minutes, she was still squalling.

After changing her diaper and failed attempts to calm her, I was growing ever more certain that Gillian was ill. When she wouldn't take her juice and began having the dry heaves, there was no doubt. Her temperature was around 101 and she was lethargic and clingy. Cuddling a healthy Gillian Grace is like trying to get a cat in a bathtub full of water, it ain't easy! The fact that she wanted to be held constantly was just one more indication that we had one sick little girl.

Hearing horror stories about the ER, we decided to give her a bath in tepid water to try reduce the fever. Then it was off to our pediatrician's without an appointment, but confident we'd be seen quickly. Our regular pediatrician was not working Monday, so we saw Dr. Harper who is a bit of a medical legend here in town. It was also his last day of work before beginning retirement. By the time we saw the doc, GG's temperature had risen a degree and was now hovering around 102.

Thinking at first that she may have a urinary tract infection, Dr. Harper ordered a catheter to be inserted to get a urine sample. While we waited for the results of the urinalysis, a tech came in and took several blood samples. Adding to the stress and pain GG was already feeling, the lab tech we had did not work in pediatrics and apparently hadn't taken blood from an infant since medical school. I think this phrase,"if you're not sure how to do this, please get someone that does..." was spoken more than once.

When the urinalysis came back negative for infection but positive for elevated protein levels, Dr. Harper dropped the first of several bombshells mentioning a need to have Gillian Grace sent to radiology for a barium enema to test for an intussuscption, a telescoping or prolapse of one portion of the bowel into an immediately adjacent segment. After crying herself to sleep, we carried a slumbering GG toward radiology, making a quick detour in hospital administration first to complete paperwork. With Bret holding Gillian Grace, I was the one left to complete all the necessary forms. I tried my best to read all the fine print while listening to the women with the buzz-cut ramble on about protocols and procedures. But all I heard was an indecipherable mumble similar to Charlie Brown's teacher and frequent finger tapping, her way of indicating a need for my signature.

Cloaked in lead vests, Bret and I observed the barium enema while trying our best to soothe, comfort, and keep GG still while the radiologist walked us through the procedure. The test took about an hour. Not wanting to look at the screen showing the path of the enema as it made its way {slowly} through her small and large intestine, I found myself forgetting to breathe while silently praying to the Big Guy upstairs. Once the enema's journey was complete we received another bit of good news, the radiologist did not detect an intussusception and we were sent back to see Dr. Harper.

At this point, the doctors had ruled out ear infections, a urinary tract infection, and now an intussesception. Although this meant we still did not have a definitive answer for Gillian Grace's illness, I felt sure that Dr. Harper would be sending us home along with a prescription or two and some advice for keeping her hydrated. I couldn't have been more wrong. Upon returning to the office, Dr. Harper had already been informed of the results of the barium enema. With brows furrowed and hand on his chin he uttered the words that shook me to my core, "I think she needs to be admitted to the hospital for further observation and treatment."

What??? Why???

So shocked that you could have knocked me over with a feather, I fortunately married a level headed man that was able to keep his wits about him even in the most stressful of situations. I remember holding back tears, my heart breaking in a million pieces for my sweet Gillybean.

From that point on, the day was a complete blur. From waiting in the ER to be admitted, to our wheelchair adventure to the room that would be our home for the next four days, nothing seemed to register. Once we were in the PICU, Dr. Harper dropped by with one more whopper of a request/order. After checking GG's neck {my smarty pants husband knew what was coming when he saw this}, he asked for permission to perform a spinal tap to check for meningitis. Let me just say, it was a good thing I was already sitting when I heard this doozy. Reluctantly, I handed GG over to Dr. Harper and made my way to the hallway to wait. Bret stayed inside, trying his best to comfort our frightened and confused daughter from across the room.



Once again He showed His mercy and grace, the spinal fluid was clear and there were no signs of meningitis upon further testing. Hallelujah! At that point Monday, it was about 2 o'clock. The cavalry {my parents} had just arrived to see GG and offer their support. Gillian Grace was finally resting, though she still wanted to be held and refused to lay on her own.

For the next three days, Gillian Grace underwent more testing, several fever spikes, and an iv catastrophe in which the iv was pulled out accidentally, before being discharged on Thursday. We exited the hospital with no more knowledge about the cause of GG's sickness than on the day we were admitted. All we knew, all the doctors knew, was that she had been one sick little girl.



As any parent can attest, there is not a more helpless feeling in the world than seeing your child in pain, and we would have gladly switched places with her in a second if given the chance. But, GG's bout with illness reminded me that I cannot control everything in life. Life is not a Burger King, and I cannot always have it my way. I can do my part---have her immunized, maintain a clean and healthy environment, and surround her with unparalleled love---but the bottom line is, I cannot protect her from everything. Last week we were reminded that sometimes life just is what it is...uncertain and tough. And it's only after we turned our uncertainty and worry over to God that we found peace knowing that although we didn't necessarily understand everything, He had a plan for us and for Gillian Grace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."---John 14:27

For such a small little lady, Gillian Grace is a fighter! Stubborn through and through {a trait she obviously inherited from her Gammie}, she was bound and determined not to let the illness get the best of her. I have never been more proud or loved her more! Little Miss Sunshine is back and better than ever!

Hospital Rundown

GG's symptoms:

• Fever/Clammy
• Inconsolable
  
• Dry heaves/vomitting
• Unwillingness to eat or drink
• Lethargic
• Clingy

Diagnosis:

• Undetermined
  

Procedures: May 24th

• Catheter inserted to check for urinary tract infection (no infection detected but protein levels triple the norm)
  
• Blood work (white cell count elevated)
• Barium enema to check for intussuscption
  
• Spinal tap to check for meningitis
• IV inserted
  
• Leads to monitor respiratory and cardiac health placed on back

Temperature range:

• Peak- 104 (afternoon on Tuesday, May 25th)
• Low-98.6 (Wednesday morning)
• Temperature continued to fluctuate (between 98-100) from Wednesday afternoon until discharge Thursday
• Gillian Grace had been fever free for 24 hours prior to discharge

Miscellaneous:

• Leads/monitors removed on the 26th by Dr. Shearer
• Noticed iv leak early a.m. on the 27th/attempts at new iv failed
• GG drank her first bottle since hospitalization on the evening of the 26th
• She drank Pedialyte, juice, and water on the 27th and ate several Cheerios
• Favorite nurses: Miss Val and Miss Dana/Least favorite: Nurse Wrachett, I mean Miss Sharie
  

Lessons learned:

• Be proactive. Ask questions. Make requests. Follow-up.
  
• Always keep a detailed list of important items like fever readings, times meds were administered, doctor visits, nurse walk-ins, etc. (I used Notes app on my iphone, it was invaluable.)
  

Cheers to good health, y'all!