I have been in Washington, D.C. since Thursday night, staying with my son at Andrews Air ForcBase while Owen is in the hospital fighting for his life.
Yesterday I went to the hospital with Seth and Sarah, my son and daughter-in-law, to visit Owen in the pediatric ICU at Walter Reed National Military Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. It is about an hour drive from their home, so just the going back and forth is wearing on my son and his wife.
When I had to chance to go in the ICU, I spoke at length to the respiratory therapist, the nurse on duty and the two doctors who are charged with Owen’s care. All of them were optimistic, postive, and said that all signs indicated that he is better than was the day before.
I only got the first name of one of the doctors, Judy, and the last name of the other one, Ruck. Judy answered so many questions that I had.The following is a synopsis of my questions and the doctor’s answers, as best as I can remember them:
1. How often does this sort of thing happen after a tonsilectomy?
It is rare for complications after a tonsilectomy, but I do not believe that whatever is the matter with Owen has anything to do with the tonsilectomy surgery. I think that he was exposed to a virus before the surgery but had not presented any symptoms yet. We do not know yet what virus is causing this, but I am walking the samples we just took over to the National Institute of Health labortory across the street.
2. What medications is he on, and will there be any long term consquences from taking so many powerful antibiotics?
He is on Vancomycin, clindramycin, azithromycin, and ceftriaxone.When we don’t know the cause of infection, we give patients like Owen a combination of drugs to make sure there is a “safety net” so that any bug he might possibly have will be covered. Since we don’t know the cause of Owen’s illness, we are giving him that combination. If he were not allergic to penacyllin, we have to give him two antibiotics to take the place of it. One of the drugs (I can not remember which one she said) can do damage to the gall bladder, but that is a rare occurrance, and we are monitoring Owen for that. Another one can damage the kidneys, but again, that is rare, and we also monitoring him for that. Once we determine just what he has, we can discontinue the drugs he does not need.
3. What are these tubes and things attached to him?
He has a regular IV in his left arm for a saline drip to keep him hydrated. A blood pressure cuff on his right arm to monitor his blood pressure. There is a bigger IV in his groin that goes directly into an artery so that we can give him his medications faster. That IV is longer so that it has less probablilty of coming out. He has a breathing tube inserted down his throat to his lungs to provide oxygen and to help him breathe. And another tube down his throat directly to his stomach to feed him Pediasure directly to his stomach.
4. Can you explain all the numbers on the machines.
The doctor explained every number showing on the vital sign monitor, and how each number related to how Owen was doing. Even though I have seen those monitors on people every time I have been to visit in a hospital, and even had some of them on me from time to time, I never have asked about them and received such an indepth answer.
She then had the respiratory therapist explain all the information showing on the ventilor. They said Owen should be taking 30 breaths per minute, and he was at that time taking 38 breaths per minute. At the time he was moved to the ICU, he was taking more than 80 breaths per minute, so there has been a good bit of improvement since he was moved.
Also, there was one line where some of the “blips” were blue and some were brown, with more blue than brown. The blue ones are when Owen breathes on his own, and the brown ones were when the machine was doing the breathing, or helping him breathe.
5. How will you know when you can remove the ventilator.
We have him on a certain dosage number of oxygen. We will incrementally lower the oxygen levels being delivered. Once he can breathe on his own, and keep his oxygen levels at the correct rate, we can remove the ventilator.
6. How long will he be kept sedated?
He will be kept fully sedated until he is able to breathe on his own. The sedation also helps to keep him relaxed and reduces the amount of energy he expends.
There were lots more questions, but these were the most important to me. My son was with me while I was asking everything, and heard all the answers. He told me he would have never thought to ask all of that and thanked me for being there.
My son went back up to the hospital last night and stayed until well after midnight. He spoke to the doctors and , they said what he has is Human Metapneumovirus. Antibiotics don’t have any effect on that so they are going to discontinue those meds. He continues to remain stable. Seth said he saw that he was pretty much breathing on his own now with almost no assistance. He’s still being fed with tubes and it looks like he has gained some color, he was very pale yesterday so that is good. They are keeping him sedated and he seems comfortable, and they are playing him some lullaby type music which is relaxing.
This morning when my daughter-in-law called, they said Owen’s blood pressure dropped during the night, so that they put him on blood pressure medication, but that everything else is stable and like it was yesterday.
Seth and Sarah have gone back to the hospital today, and I am here taking care of Amelia. I will update as soon as I know something different. Please continue to pray for Owen and his family. We all appreciate everything everyone is doing for us at this time.
Jen-Eighty MPH Mom says
What a fantastic doctor he has…I sure wish all of them would explain things in depth like that (of course it helps when you ask the right questions!).
I am glad he is doing a bit better, but I will continue to pray for a very quick recovery. You are all in my thoughts.
I know how much it helps by you are being there for his parents.
Kathleen says
I am so glad to hear he is holding stable. Looking forward to hearing more updates as he continues to get better! Such a strong little man he is. My prayers continue to go out to you, your family and especially little Owen.
sam says
I’m so glad he is improving and that you are there to help them. Prayers are continuing. Big hugs.
Gaelyn says
Good for you for asking questions. When in the middle of all this concern it’s not always easy to know what to ask. Glad you are there for the family. Sending the strongest healing energy.
Frantic Holly says
Prayers for a quick recovery. If you need anything please contact me. We’re in the area and I would be happy to offer a meal, some company, whatever.
Virginia from That Bald Chick says
My heart just breaks for your family, as I know this is an exhausing (emotionally, physically, psychologically, spiritually) process. Please know that I am praying for all of you!
Jenna @ For The Love of Baby! says
I am continuing to pray for all of you and Owen’s speedy recovery. He is such a handsome little boy. <3 Thank you for keeping us updated.
Shawn says
Prayers are with Owen, you and your family.
Andrea says
Still praying for Owen and the family.
Susan Adcox says
What an adorable little boy. I know you must be about to collapse with worry. So sorry. Sending good thoughts your way.
Amanda @ Confessions From HouseholdSix says
Sending healing thoughts for Owen. It sounds like Owen has good doctors. I’m so glad because that’s not always the case in a military hospital. I’m not as close as Holly, but close enough that I too can bring a meal or something if you need it. Don’t hesitate to ask.
marina says
Thanking God for the improvement.Will be praying for a quick recovery. NOTHING is impossible with God…keep holding onto that assurance.Big hug Karen!
Cheryl says
Good for you for asking all of those questions!! When Adam’s grandfather was in the ICU right before Christmas, I asked all of those questions too and my FIL thanked me. I was then asked if I were a nurse, I told them I was a loser in my spare time. 😉 I’m so glad that you were able to fly out and take care of your son and his family a little bit. it’s such a stressful time to be going through a health crisis with a child.
Cindy Of PEI says
Keep asking questions Karen, sometimes this is caused by fluid in the lungs. I will continue to pray, I so hope that you all get strength to care for Owen and continue to go back and forth. I’m glad you are with them, family is so important. hugs to you all
Kat says
Oh my goodness! Big prayers going up for your family. As a mother I would be terrified that they don’t know what exactly the problem is!