That is one good thing about this world...there are always sure to be more springs. LM.Montgomery The Spring seems to be slow in coming this year. I am beginning to feel trapped in a Narnia ruled by the White Witch- always winter but never Christmas. Every time the weather seems to break snow threatens or storms back into view. Today I am sitting in the hospital sitting with Lucas for his fourth Remicade infusion, and pondering life. Usually, while I am here I work on lesson plans, ACT 48 coursework, and occasionally blogging. Someone said to me recently I feel like your always at the hospital... I had to chuckle and say that's because
I am.
I am missing home infusions well because I could be at home for one and two coming to the hospital two Sundays a month can be disheartening. But its safer so for now here we sit. I am very thankful for the opportunity to do them at our local hospital pediatric floor for it means no long drive and being able to come on a weekend and not have to miss more work. Michael has been having difficulty with his one heel. It appears he has a bone spur and is fighting a bit of gout. The other not so pleasant issue is he has some edema-indicating his heart is not doing as well as it could be- if you pray for us we would truly appreciate those prayers now.
The black-eyed susans and daylillies are poking their way up through the soil around my home along with other spring flowers determined to thrive despite the bitter cold wind blowing around us. I want to be like these tender shoots, tender and yet strong. Yes, things are hard but something beautiful will come out of it.That's the promise and I am holding on to it.
Last weekend was a blur. It was filled with the usual things like driving practice and Company dance practice for Hannah and then some. On Thursday Lucas started with what appeared to a small cold, nothing too worrisome. By Friday evening his temperature had risen to 102.6... okay not too scary but a red flag because although he has had small fevers, he does not typically present with a fever while flaring. However, since he had a Remicade infusion 2 weeks prior and with the addition of methotrexate infection is a real possibility. So I attempted to schedule a doctors appointment for Saturday. Saturday appointments were filled and they decided to see him Sunday morning. Lucas's body had different plans. Around 8:30 Saturday evening even with fever medication all day long his temperature spiked to 103.9. So more medication administered and his temp check an hour later registered 104.3. That meant a trip to the Emergency Department. Thankfully the ED was not very busy and he was triaged fairly quickly. Usually, I have to go into great detail about the medications these guys take almost no one has heard of Actemra, not so with Remicade. Because of the name Remicade and the combo of Remicade and Methotrexate together this was all taken very seriously. Which is crazy because any biologic should be taken seriously. Lots of bloodwork, blood cultures were done together with a chest x-ray and nasal swab. The final verdict RSV and pneumonia. So after two rounds of IV antibiotics, he was admitted upstairs to the pediatric floor. We stayed on the floor for another round of IV antibiotics and lab work before being released home with oral antibiotics and instructions to hold his methotrexate this week. I am sitting in my comfy spot thankful this weekend is looking much different. Yes, it's still filled with driving practice and company dance practice, errands a youth group event and church. I'll take it over last weekends type of busy hands down. Last weekend
