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Reporting live from Camp CHS

We are not going home today, as previously hoped. Taylor needs to be off of supplemental oxygen for 24 hours, and last night we had to put her back on for a little while while she slept. This, the nurse tells us, is completely normal, and the most difficult part. We’ll try again tonight.

Because her oxygen levels are fine during waking hours, she is off all sensors and everything while she is awake. She is able to get out of bed and move around the room, but due to flu protocols she still cannot leave the room. Half of our already-small room is now taken up with an infusion of Polly Pockets and Barbie dolls. Having the room in the corner at the end of the hall has its pluses and minuses. It’s nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of your typical hospital floor, especially at night. It’s been real quiet at night. But it would be nice at times to have back a little of the space the other, non-corner rooms enjoy. We do have large windows and a great view. I’ll trade a few square feet for peace and quiet, and a nice view.

At least now, we have an exit strategy. The only milestone we need to reach is lasting a whole night breathing entirely on her own. It will be up to me to push the button, call the nurse, and get her on oxygen tonight. It will be a very difficult button to push.

Elizabeth has been to the doctor, afraid she was coming down with something. She has a sinus infection, which has resulted in bronchitis. No evidence of flu, thank goodness. She is home, resting, and hoping she can come spell me this evening. Aside from Friday night, when we both stayed here, she hasn’t been up to staying here.

I’m trying to monitor Ida’s gulf coast approach from here. After covering every hurricane strike to hit Alabama since 2004, it feels strange not being surrounded with TVs and laptops and news feeds.

In a review of new children’s programming, Nickelodeon’s new show Fan Boy and Chum Chum may be the worst thing to hit children’s programming ever. Taylor will not stop repeating one character’s line, “I fart bubbles.”

So there you have it. Incremental improvements, and waiting for tonight. Thanks to everyone for the encouragements, the prayers, the love, the offers of help, and for everything else. It really means a lot to all of us. Check back here or on Twitter all night tonight for more “OxygenWatch09 – No News Is Good News.”

November 9, 2009, 1:41 pm | 2 Comments »

Not to get our hopes up or anything …

It’s been a great day for Taylor. Early afternoon, they took her completely off of supplemental oxygen, and she’s done well. They’re increasing the amount of time between her breathing treatments too. All good news.

But tonight comes the real test. Every night so far we’ve had to increase her oxygen. If tonight goes well, one nurse says we might even be able to go home tomorrow. I’m still expecting Tuesday, but I won’t complain if they want to send us home tomorrow.

She’s been very hyper today, very sassy, and very opinionated. While being a real challenge for one particular doting father, these are good signs that suggest we’ll be out of here soon and onto our next challenge: keeping Elizabeth and I healthy and pig-flu free.

November 8, 2009, 9:22 pm | 2 Comments »

Swine flu

We were suspecting as much, but we got the official word thus morning that Taylor did indeed catch the H1N1 flu strain. Our weekend getaway at Camp Children’s has been extended for “a couple more days at least.”

The good news is we are past the worst part of it. The nurses are steadily reducing the levels of supplemental oxygen she needs throughout the day. Each morning so far has been a step back, which the nurses say is pretty normal.

While we sit here watching Spongebob and iCarly and other kids shows until our eyes explode, enjoy a couple new pictures: balloons from Grandma and Grandpa, and our EXCLUSIVE shot of the swine flu virus attacking Taylor.

, 11:46 am | 6 Comments »

Weekend in the hospital

Noon update: Taylor tested positive for Influenza A, which is not in season. This could be H1N1/swine flu which caused the pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. In any case, any flu symptoms have been mild, and she’s over the worst of it.

Original post: Taylor is in the hospital with breathing problems. Latest update right now is positive: While we still don’t (and may never) know what this is, she is responding well to frequent breathing treatments and antibiotics.

From the beginning: Thursday morning Taylor woke up with a bit of a cough. Chalking it up to typical seasonal allergies, we gave her an extra puff from her inhaler and sent her off to school. Complaining of tigtness in her chest, she went to see the school nurse and got her inhaler a bit early. The tightness returned an hour later.

I picked her up from school and took her to her pediatrician. He diagnosed asthmatic bronchitis and sent us home with albuterol treatments plus antibiotics and steroids. The treatments helped some, but the effects started lasting less time, and a high fever joined the party. We got through the night.

Friday morning, back to the doctor with the situation deteriorating more. Two early albuterol treatments failed to last an hour, and after another visit to the doctor, he sent us to the ER, with another fever and extremely low oxygen levels.

Oxygen treatments stabilized the situation and made Taylor much more comfortable while we awaited test results. The ER made the decision to treat this as pneumonia as our best option. Taylor was admitted, and we got moved out of the basement and into a room Friday evening.

Painful coughing fits made the night a tough night. These coughs however are productive, showing some part of the treatment regimen is working.

So here we are, Saturday afternoon, watching and waiting. Her needed levels of oxygen are decreasing. We’re just waiting for the results of additional flu tests and such, while continuing treatments and holding the course.

So that’s where we are. Taylor is stable, so Elizabeth and I are doing shifts in the hospital now. She will be playing at church tomorrow, and sleeping in a real bed. She’s working the afternoon shift while I squeeze in some football. We thank everyone who has been praying for her, and for the emails and notes of encouragment to us.

One final note about Children’s Hospital: these guys are good. Beyond the medical care — which has been spectacular, the ninja-silent nighttime nurses, the steady supply of movies, playing cards, stuffed animals, coloringbooks, stickers, and so forth are the little things that make bearable what could be a much more traumatic experience for children and their parents.

November 7, 2009, 11:10 am | 3 Comments »

New cap and scarf

New cap and scarf, originally uploaded by Brian & Elizabeth McAlister.

Taylor models a new cap and scarf she received as a gift from Mimi and Papa — just in time for our first real cold snap of the season. She
loves it! And yes, Taylor picked out the colors herself.

October 19, 2009, 11:52 pm | No Comments »