We packed up the car on Friday morning at 4:45am and arrived in Detroit at 11am. We were quite a sight to see Mom, Cameron and Miller all lined up in the back seat. All passengers were very pleasant!
Cameron took a seat on Santa’s lap Friday night at a family party, which was great fun! Unfortunately this is where our Christmas fun would end…
Saturday night Cameron started repeatedly projectile vomiting around 9pm. My first thought was he is sick with the flu, but given that projectile vomiting is symptom of a shunt malfunction we never can be too sure. So, after 3 bouts of this and a very lethargic baby (another symptom of shunt malfunction) we put a call into the Neurosurgeon on call at Children’s. They suggested we bring him in, I explained we were in Detroit but I felt most comfortable calling our hospital first so we agreed to take him to Children’s in Detroit.
Off we headed at 11pm to Detroit Children’s – this was not somewhere I ever intended to visit on our trip! The whole experience was obviously very stressful. We didn’t know the lay of the land, the nurses etc. A CT Scan, X rays and blood work were all ordered. I had copies of all Cameron’s images from past scans and ultrasounds on CD. The Dr’s were very happy to hear this so they would have a base line to compare the new scans to.
Cameron survived all the tests with the exception of the attempt to place an IV – they were naturally worried about dehydration as he was still throwing up at the hospital. 4 needles, a second team of nurses and a screaming baby later they gave up. Thank god! It was hell watching them try to get a needle in him. Around 3:30am they finally came back with the good news that Cameron had a case of acute gastroentitis (stomach flu). We were very relieved it was not a shunt malfunction.
We headed home with pedialyte – Merry Christmas Eve! Cameron actually was quite resilient and although we did not make it to Mass, we did make it to Christmas Eve dinner for a short stay.
And you knew this was coming around 2:30am on Christmas morning Mom woke up feeling ill and so the vomiting began for me! I apparently am not as resilient as it lasted till 1pm on Christmas Day. So once I stopped the throwing up we decided to pack it up and head back to Chicago.
As you can imagine this is not the trip we had so desperately needed. After such a long week before the holiday we just wanted to get away and pretend things were normal. I remember sitting in the ER at Children’s and I looked at Matt and said “Can you believe this is happening?” he replied “Yes, of course this is happening.”
Yes I know we are blessed in many ways, and the fact that we did get to see some family and friends over the holiday means a lot to us. But we needed much more, we needed a break from hospitals and Dr’s and constant worry.
Here’s hoping the New Year brings better health for our family!
XOXO
5 comments:
That damn flu!! We had it here over Thanksgiving! It ruined Caroline's dedication and took out like 20 people who came to it! I am sorry you both had the flu but am glad that the shunt is functioning properly!!
Sue
Well ooey, came'ron, matt it was quite a weekend for ya.
I am so happy I finally got to see my nephew. I could care less if he gave me the flu (luckily so far we all are free and clear). It was just such a great thing to finally hold my little nephew. Anneliese is constantly asking about him and we all were so happy to share the little time you had.
I can't wait for cameron to meet his new cousin in March. I know it was a stressful trip but I hope you enjoyed the time we all had together. Things will come together. I was amazed at how great Cameron was and how much happiness he had despite the trip to the hospital.
Here's to a joyous and prosporous and hospital free (ok maybe not realistic)...limited hospital visit 2007.
We all love you and can't wait to see you guys again.
Love
Will, Jessie, Annelies, and 'Baby X'(due Mar. 2008).
Oh yeah one more thing... let's see some of the pictures from the trip if you have them.
TTFN
Will
UGH! What a huge bummer. I'm so sorry all of that happened. I had such high hopes everything was going to run smoothly. Another trial in your bumpy roads; but one that undoubtedly continues to prove your love, loyalty, education, and committment to your little cameron. poor guy, i wanted nothing more for him and parents and doggie to relax a bit. don't worry you are still normal and still have much time to be normal; whatever that means. i can't safely say im normal; normal is boring. love you guys. rory feel better. cameron hang in. mattie; we still have the hoosiers and the bobby knight record to look foward to. xx
Cameron has the ability to hone in on a hospital from miles away! Sorry to hear that he got to discover Children's in Detroit.
Love the pictures of "off his rocker". He glows with each smile.
Love and prayer from Aunt Pat and Uncle Dick. Think of you every day. Your inner strength is an inpiration to all of us. Remember you only have to do this one day at a time.
Post a Comment