Day 447

      Katie's health has continued to improve - and we are glad!  She still seems to have a runny nose and she sounds a bit congested.  So, we have decided to continue to keep her sequestered for awhile - how long I don't know... But every time the doctors have told us she should be fine to go to school, church, vacations, etc... she has gotten sick.  We just want to keep her home for a while longer. 
    I realized the other day, that Katie had been in the hospital 5 times, in just over a years time.  That was more than we (or the doctors) had anticipated.  We would like to keep it at 5 - no more hospital time!  One of the hardest things about all of this is knowing how much she is missing.  She misses playing with her friends, going to joy school, and church.  I hate her having to miss out on all the fun and social interaction - but it is not worth risking her life over - it is just too bad it has to be this way.  But it won't be forever, just for now.
    "Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion. We should know the gospel is true and be true to the gospel."
(David A. Bednar, Ensign, November 2012)

Day 441

       Last night when I was putting Katie to bed, she snuggled under the covers and said, "It is good to be home!" - Yes Katie, it is good to be home!  We are all trying to recuperate.  Katie still has a little bit of a cough and runny nose and she gets tired easily, but she is doing much better!
     The final consensus by the doctors was that Katie had some type of secondary infection going on - even though they were never able to identify it - they said if it was just RSV, she would have gotten the fever within the first week of being sick - the fact that she got the fever later indicated a secondary infection.  Whatever it was, Katie was really sick!  As I said, I think she was more sick this time, than she was last month with the pneumonia.  We were very fortunate that Katie had just finished her round of steroids, because that boosted her immune system way up, which gave her body something to fight with.  It terrifies me to think about what might have happened if her counts had been down this time...we just feel really blessed!
     Scott said maybe this will be the worst thing that happens to us in 2013, and we already got it out of the way...  We are hopeful that the worst is behind us, and that we are moving on to better days!  We are glad Katie is doing so much better!  Thank you again for your prayers.
     "I may lack the words to describe what occurs to the faithful in times of personal crisis.  Let it be said, simply, that there is often a quiet awareness in the midst of chaos that the Lord is there and He is still in control." 
(Dr. James Dobson, In the Arms of God).

Day 439

We are home and we are glad!

Day 438

     Katie hasn't had another fever.  One doctor came in this morning and said they would discharge her today.  But the the main doctor came in and he seemed to have some concerns.  Katie's heart rate is up again today and she is still wheezing.  He told the nurse he wanted to wait and see how she does, and he said he would come back and check on her later.  I am pretty sure though that we will be going home later today - as long as she still has no fever.  We will be glad to get home and be together as a family again.  Children under the age of 12 are currently not allowed in the hospital, so Conner has not been able to come and visit - that has made it hard on all of us.  It will be nice to be home.

Day 437

     Katie's last fever was at 2 pm yesterday.  So she is getting better!  She still has "junk" in her lungs and a really bad cough, and her heart rate is still a little high.  The doctor who came in this morning said Katie's cough could last for a couple more weeks, but they would probably let her go home when she has 24 hours without a fever.  - Katie's main doctor just came in and said they will stop the antibiotics and see if she can go 24 hours without a fever, and then we could go home.  Hopefully tomorrow!  We are glad Katie is feeling a little better!  Thank you for all the prayers.

Day 436

     It has been a long night, long day, and long night.  Katie has been fighting her fever day and night.  Her fever got up to 104.7 yesterday.  Even on Tylenol her fever stayed up, so they gave her Motrin, even though she isnt suppoed to have Motrin.  The Motrin helped, but she can only have it once or twic a day, otherwise it will lower her platelet count too much.
     The doctors aren't sure if this is still a bad case of RSV or if it has turned into pneumonia.  Yesterdays x-ray was inconclusive.  Katie will probably get another x-ray today.  But basically, the doctors are saying, "Time will tell."   Katie is on an antibiotic just in case it is pneumonia. Today the doctor asked me how this compares to last month, when Katie was in the hospital, and I told him this is worse - she is worse this time.
     Katie is having trouble breathing.  She got an albuterol treatment yesterday and another this morning.  She also has oxygen.  She has had a hard time of it.  Thank you for your prayers!  We are glad Scott's parents live nearby to help with Conner and Nathan.  Please keep praying for our Katie girl!

Day 435

    Katie is back in the hospital.  We took her to the clinic yesterday morning because her cough and breathing were so bad.  They took an x-ray and we were told it wasn't  pneumonia, just a bad case of RSV.  We were told not to worry unless she developed a fever - and then they sent us home.  Well...last night she developed a fever.  We spent the night in the ER.  Katie's heart rate is very elevated and her breathing laborious.
     They brought us to a room around 5 am.  Katie and I fell asleep.  When I woke up a couple of hours later, I immediately asked the nurse to check Katie's temperature.  Her temp was 104.5!  I had the nurses hopping, "I need ice packs, I need a wash cloth - she needs Tylenol and a drink!"  The doctors seem at a loss as to what to do for her.  Katie will be getting another x-ray this morning.  We could use prayers!  Please pass on the word...  We are glad for our family and friends.