Normal

This week was so crazy. It started last Wednesday with David having a fever after school. Trip to the doctor on Thursday confirmed strep throat. Home on antibiotic, fever gone on Friday, feeling great on Saturday, only to begin coughing on Sunday night. Tried school Monday morning, only to have to go pick him up before 11. The coughing got progressively worse throughout the day, despite breathing treatments, humidifier, decongestant, and everything else we could think of to do. Back to the doctor on Tuesday. She watched him for 10 minutes of having coughing spasms where he could barely catch a breath in between, his color would leave him, and he couldn't stop. Swabbed for flu and that came back positive. Then it was a whirlwind of arranging for him to be transported to the children's hospital so he could get suctioning & oxygen in the ambulance on the way.

When we arrived at the hospital, they determined that it was all upper airway crud that had to do with excess secretions and snot. They weren't worried about his lungs at all. David didn't even have to have an IV placed since he was tolerating all of his feeds and free water. The nurses taught us how to use the suction machine and pretty much let us handle it from there on. They were all great, but Michael & I are definitely the most confident at handling & caring for David, and I think the staff realized that. The next morning, the doctors concluded that they weren't really doing much for him besides providing the suction machine. So it was determined that we would go home with a script for our very own suction machine. LOL. What every family dreams of owning one day.

By late Wednesday afternoon we were home, where David continued to sleep for almost the entire next 2 days straight (partly because he didn't sleep for more than 10 minutes at the hospital). Last night, we got him out of bed to let him play and he was so thrilled. He didn't stop scooting around until we put him to bed. He still has a lingering cough, but is SO much better. We couldn't be more thrilled that it wasn't worse than it was.

Things can turn on a dime in this house. We're kind of prepared for that when David isn't feeling well. It had been 2 1/2 years since his last hospitalization. But we always know that it can happen. His ability to handle his secretions this past year has become somewhat of a problem. When he's well, he handles it ok, but when he's sick, it's just too much. Having something like a suction machine should help us help him in the future.

I wish this wasn't our kind of  'normal'. But it is. I think it is so normal to Kyle, that he wasn't even that concerned when David went to the hospital. He was just so excited to be able to have a sleepover at a friend's on a school night. It takes a lot of coordinating when you have one kid in the hospital over an hour away and another in 3rd grade just trying to keep up with school & friends. Luckily, everything worked out and we had a ton of offers for help. Those kind of friends are priceless. The amount of praying done on our behalf was phenomenal. While this was a quick hospital stay, I appreciate everyone who threw those prayers our way.

Today.......we are going to try to attempt more of a normal day. Getting David dressed will be one of those goals. We have to finish getting ready for the Christmas season. I need to clean my house and do some laundry. Everyday things that need to be accomplished to function in our day to day living.

So from our family to yours.......Merry Christmas! Here's to whatever your 'normal' may be!