We've had quite a week!
Evan wasn't feeling well, but nothing serious--just a cough and a fever. Then just after office hours, he began complaining of back and neck pain and difficulty breathing. We decided to take him to urgent care using the tag-team-swine-flu-avoidance method. (It works this way: Dad heads to urgent care at our local hospital and fills out paperwork. He tells the nurse, "My wife will bring my son up once an exam room is ready." Meanwhile Evan and Mom are safely at home avoiding all germs and a two hour wait! When it is finally Evan's turn, we jump in the car with Ryan-possibly the world's fastest driver-who delivered us in under 5 minutes.)FRIDAY
Evan was diagnosed with an ear infection and pneumonia. He was given IV antibiotics and sent home with a prescription for a few more days.
SATURDAY
John was up most of the night up with Evan and it was my turn to take over. While John was sleeping, I attempted to get Evan to eat some breakfast. Then the fun began. He started telling me about the game they played at seminary that morning. What?! A few minutes later he asked me "What does "hootenalia" mean? You know, yesterday I hoottenailiaed?" Huh? Now he was conjugating nonsense words!?
After the third incident I finally realized that Evan was delirious. He also told me that he could see two of me! More delirium or double vision? Either way this was not a good sign. After consulting with our good friend who is a doctor, we decided to take Evan to the emergency room at Children's Hospital. John had to carry him piggyback into the waiting room where we joined the hordes of people with masks on their faces.
After the long wait, Evan was in for:
- x-rays
- blood tests
- urine samples
- vision tests
- flu tests (very nasty--they scrape the farthest recesses of the nasal passage with a wooden stick! And of course he didn't have any type of flu at all.)
- CAT scan
- hours of monitoring his vital signs
- and finally (drumroll please) a spinal tap!!
Here's the view from my "bed"
SUNDAYEvan was really out of it and was very uncomfortable with the IV. It was a very long night because he usually sleeps with his arms bent, and that kept blocking the IV tubing. At one point the nurse and I were both standing over his bed trying to comfort him. He got very wide-eyed and looked back and forth and both of us. The nurse asked, "What's wrong honey? What can we do for you?" Evan got a little feisty and hollered, "You two can stop staring at me!" I was just happy to see him come to life a bit!
MONDAY
Visits from more doctors:
- residents
- attending physician
- neurology team
- infectious disease team
Fortunately, Evan's still has his sense of humor.
He looked at the monitor attached to his finger and said, "Hey, I'm ET!"
He looked at the monitor attached to his finger and said, "Hey, I'm ET!"
TUESDAYEvan's spinal fluid is sent out for multiple tests, some as far away as the MAYO clinic in Minnesota. While he sleeps, I get visits from hospital volunteers, the hospital teacher and the chaplain.
Because of the swine-flu outbreak, no visitors (except parents) were allowed in the hospital. However, we got special permission for Ryan to come give Evan a priesthood blessing (along with John of course).
The volunteers gave Evan a teddy bear on the first day and he was very attached to it. He finally decides to give his bear a name. He chooses "Randy" as a variation on the name of the hospital--the Rady Children's Hospital.
WEDNESDAYEvan is feeling a bit better. He spends a few minutes in the courtyard just outside his room. He enjoys watching the construction on the new hospital building. He also watches a few minutes of TV despite his double vision, but isn't up to doing the mazes and worksheets the teacher brought to him.
The neurologist has recommended an eye patch to help his vision, but they don't seem to have any in the hospital. The doctor suggests we pick up a pirate patch at a costume store. Aunt Jenny has a better idea. She and Evan's sewing teacher team up to make some custom eye patches.
Here is the pathetic make-shift eye patch the nurse made.
Now Evan looks like a trauma patient!
Now Evan looks like a trauma patient!
Ah! Much better!
Evan's eyepatch is made of cool planet fabric.
Randy's patch has a dinosaur.
THURSDAYEvan spends more time out in the courtyard. He definitely has his appetite back and enjoys his meals. The hospital actually has room service! He gets to choose from a great menu and I can call in his order whenever he gets hungry.
We are anxious to go home, but have to wait for ALL of the many doctors to give their okay. In the afternoon the attending physician finally says we can leave!
Here's Evan enjoying his last meal before heading home.
The blue gatorade was a favorite that he ordered frequently!
The blue gatorade was a favorite that he ordered frequently!
At home, Evan was greeted by these signs from his cousins.
Marianne and his friend Matthew put more signs on the front door.
And his bed was covered in balloons.
Even Roxy was excited to have Evan home and I couldn't get her to hold still for a picture.
FRIDAY
Evan slept for 12 hours straight last night. He woke up very happy! He keeps saying, "It's so good to be home!" His double vision is improving and he is slowly regaining his strength. Best of all, he got to take a long shower. He is enjoying the great food our fridge from our good friends in the ward. Life is good and we are so grateful for all of our blessings.
It will take Evan a week or more to recover fully so we would appreciate your continued prayers!
