Friday, October 23, 2009

dayton update (personal)

Well, what a little roller coaster Mr. Dayton has taken us on! Whew! So, after my last post that he was in NB and doing okay, he decided to get worse. His oxygen levels went back really low and stayed there. He started with his high fevers again. All of Wednesday night, he had low oxygen, fever, and coughed ALL NIGHT! It was yucky. Dayton had stopped eating all together and not really drinking either. He wouldn't sit up in bed or communicate with us. When his doctor got there to check on him Thursday morning, she said, "Oh, now I'm really worried." She ordered more x-rays, which showed pneumonia in his lungs. So, they told us we'd be transported to the Methodist Children's hospital in San Antonio by ambulance or helicopter. We told Dayton he was going to change hospitals, and he finally opened up his eyes and said, "Are y'all going with me?" We told him that of course we were going!

After about twenty minutes, they told us the helicopter was on it's way. That made us a little nervous! It wasn't like Dayton was on life-support, but they thought it was important to get him there in a hurry. So, the "crew" from SA came into his room in all their gear. They strapped him on this little table/bed thing to move him with his hippo and spiderman blanket. We walked with them outside of the hospital. When we got to the end of the sidewalk, they told us to say goodbye. (We weren't allowed onto the heli-pad.) Dayton was screaming and crying...and still coughing! He said, "I thought you were coming with me?!!! Don't leave me!!" Ummm...worst ten seconds ever!!! Of course, we reassured him that we would see him soon, and away he went...across the street, into the helicopter, and up into the sky. Please stop and say a prayer that you don't ever have to do that, as it was absolutely awful!

Here's a cell phone pic of his helicopter...



They took him tot he Pediatric ICU because of his vitals in NB and on the helicopter. But our little "roller coaster boy" decided that enough was enough! He proceeded to have great readings with his oxygen, tell his fever to leave, and stopped the horrible coughing. He really didn't even need to stay in the PICU, but they kept us there for the day.

Here's his glass room...



And in the middle of the night, they moved us to the Intermediate level of the children's hospital. He has remained off oxygen, and his fever hasn't gone above 99!!! His doctor said he's doing good enough to try turning the fluids off, too! So, now he just has to eat, drink, and maintain that oxygen level so he can go home! They're continuing to x-ray him and monitor the pneumonia as well. So, we could be home tomorrow with a best-case scenario, but hopefully not much longer after that, if any!

Here he is before I came home...a peaceful little boy taking a rest...



So THANK YOU ALL for your prayers, sweet words, little blessings, and treats! We continue to be amazed at the support we're getting from all of you...old friends, new friends, and people we barely know! Amazing!

I'm just home for a quick second, so I could gather more clothes and pick Grady up from kindergarten. He and Brogan get to go spend the weekend at Grammie and Poppa Bob's house, which will be a huge treat for them! Oh, and speaking of Brogan, his flu episode was very short-lived! He hasn't had fever in a few days and is back to his old 2-year-old self!!!

Take care & thanks!

4 comments:

Erin Zimmer said...

Poor baby. How awful this must be for you guys. I hope he keeps getting better and better real soon. You guys are in our prayers.

Anonymous said...

Praise God he is okay! All of you are in our thoughts and prayers!

Lauren Alvaro

Anonymous said...

oh gosh, poor thing! many prayers to you and your family!!

Anonymous said...

Amber... I really can't imagine what you all been through the last few days. And poor Dayton. I hope he's well and home soon with his brothers. We will be praying for you guys. Keep us posted.