This is the story of the toughest week our tough little boy has encountered thus far: (see if you can read it without crying. I couldn't write it without crying.)
A couple of weeks ago, on a Sunday (Oct. 26), Trent started complaining that his ear (and below his ear) was sore. He indicated that the side of his face was sore, along his jaw line. We assumed that he had an earache. We gave him some motrin and he slept all night long that night. When he woke up the next morning, on Monday, he was holding the side of his face and saying that it hurt. We gave him some more motrin and called the doctor to make an appointment. Trent played normally and even ate pretty much like himself. The side of his face, below his ear and along his jawline, looked like it was slightly swollen. By the time we got to the doctor, it seemed that the swelling had gotten worse. Trent was in some pain but I was still thinking it was some kind of inner ear infection. Trent had asked me before coming to the doctor if he was going to have to get a finger prick or a shot. I assured him that he would NOT have to get either because Dr. M only had to look at his ears and prescribe him an RX. (BOY, was I WRONG!!!)
Our wonderful Pediatrician came in to examine Trent and spent a lot of time poking and examining that side of his face and looking in his throat. It was very tender to the touch for Trent and this was painful for him. Dr. McCorkle ordered a finger prick/CBC and of course Trent was not happy about this. (My kids hate finger pricks almost worse than shots!) And of course, I had grossly misinformed and reassured him that he would NOT have to get a finger prick! The CBC came back at 20,000 and the normal range is 5-15,000. So, we had a problem. Dr. M told us that he wanted Trent to have an injection of Rocephan to start treating a case of cellulitis (infection of the lymph node). Trent heard the word "injection" and asked me if he was going to have to get a shot. Unfortunately, I had really, terribly misinformed my sweet boy. The dosage of the shot was split into 2 syringes since Trent is a little guy, so he actually had 2 shots: 1 in each leg. The nurses were so kind and felt so bad that they had to give our boy a shot that they knew would hurt and burn. Trent was not happy. But, he was tough. He laid back, cried, and held my hand and endured 2 painful shots. (Rachel and Bradley were with us at this visit, and they didn't want to see their baby brother get a shot, so they stood in the hallway.) He got lots of suckers and we were able to leave. Dr. M said he wanted to recheck Trent the next morning to see what his CBC levels were.
We went home and Trent played pretty normally and ate normally and seemed to feel fine with minimal pain. We kept him on Motrin as needed for pain and he slept great again. The next morning, on Tuesday, we went back to the doctor and had another CBC and Trent's levels were at 18,000. Dr. M was happy that Trent's levels were headed in the right direction but he wanted to give Trent another shot of Rocephan (2 shots again). Poor Trent was still unhappy and I had learned my lesson from the previous day about misinforming him regarding shots and finger pricks, so this time when Trent asked me before we arrived at the doctor, I told him "I hoped he wouldn't have to get a shot or finger prick, but I just didn't know." Tough Trenty endured all 3 like a champ and got lots more suckers and lots of empathy from the sweet nurses. (This time Rachel and Bradley were at Learning Grove, so they didn't have to be there while their brother got shots or anything.) Dr. M said since we were headed back in the normal direction regarding CBC levels, and the swelling was significantly better, we could start Augmentin at home the next day. So, we had a normal Tuesday and Trent behaved pretty normally until that evening. On Tuesday evening, Trent began to run a low-grade fever and he didn't feel very well. But, we sorta assumed this was part of his body fighting off the cellulitis. I knew the swelling was gone in his face and I assumed his body was just working hard. On Wednesday morning, when he woke up, he was burning up with a fever and I gave him some motrin. I decided to watch him to see if it was a 24 hour thing and just part of his cellulitis. Throughout the day, he felt really, really awful. He laid on the couch for the majority of the day and didn't eat much. But, he drank fluids a pretty good bit and he had some good "highs" when the motrin was taking effect. I began to doubt whether or not he was getting better. He also sounded more congested and even said his throat hurt a little bit. I called the doctor, but it was too close to 5 and they had already turned their phones over to the operator. A nurse called me back a little after 5 and I told her everything that had been going on all week with Trent's symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. She said that without any other symptoms, it could be the cellulitis and for me to watch him throughout the night. He perked up at 7pm and ate a bowl of chicken and rice. We were excited to think that he might be perking up!
The next day, Thursday, he woke up with a high fever again. He felt really bad and laid on the couch again, not moving much. He could hardly move his head to take a small dose of motrin and was so congested he seemed to be drooling on his pillow. I was starting to get really worried. I called our doctor's office and spoke with a nurse and broke down crying. I know this poor nurse thought I was crazy, but she was very sweet and told me she was going to catch Dr. M between rooms and call me right back. Nick also called me during this time and I bawled in his ear. He was adamant that I have Trent rechecked to see what was going on. When the nurse called me back, she told me to bring Trent in at 1:45 to see the nurse practitioner. But, she said Dr. M had gone over Trent's case with the NP (Jessie) and that she was going to keep him up to speed on everything. So, Rachel, Brad, Trent and I went to the doctor to see if we could figure out what was going on. Of course, as had become the standard by now, the nurse did a finger prick and the CBC came back at 23,000. The nurses were so sweet and caring and they had already told me that if it was elevated that they wouldn't do a shot, but would "take a different course of action". I knew that this meant admission to the hospital but was glad they were trying to be discreet with the kiddos for a few more minutes. They also thought his gigantic tonsils looked awful and infected. In the meantime, I texted Nick and said we were going to have to be admitted into the hospital for what might be an abscess on his tonsil. Poor Nick, being about 40 minutes away, hopped in his truck and raced towards us as quickly as possible. Trent picked up on the nurse's urgency about the situation and asks if we're going to have to go to the hospital. I nodded my head, "yes" and started crying. Trent was crying, Rachel started crying and Brad was quietly processing. Throughout the visit, I had been drying Trent's eyes when he had to get a finger prick, as he stated his worries about getting more shots and now as he found out we had to go to the hospital. This precious child took a tissue from my hand and began wiping the tears from my eyes. It was so sweet and so thoughtful, knowing that Trent was going through so much, had endured a really horrible week and was now going to the hospital and yet he was trying to comfort me. He kept asking if I was going to be able to go to the hospital with him. He was worried that he would have to be by himself. We all assured him that I would be with him at all times, no matter what. Then he asked me if "daddy was going to cry?' I said, I don't know, but I silently prayed that Nick could be the one to hold it together for our baby boy so that he didn't have to watch both his parents cry. Poor Rachel silently sat in her chair in the room and faced the wall away from us and cried. I had tried to offer some consolation to her, but the sweet nurse took her from the room and got her a sucker and explained a little bit about what was going to happen to Trent. In the meantime, the NP told us that Dr. M was coming back in to see Trent and help get us admitted into the hospital. I was so thankful for such a kind, caring doctor, but this also made me realize the seriousness of the situation. The nurses told me that we might have to have a CT scan of Trent's throat and then possibly have the abscess drained. But, we would know more once we saw the ENT.
Dr. M arrived around 2:30 and told us to go see the ENT first, as he had already spoken with him on the phone and thought it would be more efficient for us to see him at his office. before checking into the hospital and waiting until they could get there. Nick arrived at the pediatrician's office just as we were walking out the door. We were all so glad to see him. He was a worried daddy. We were all worried. Trent knew enough to ask lots of questions but not to reasonably comprehend everything. So, the 5 of us trekked over to the ENT's office, met with a very kind ENT, Dr. Norris, and had a quick examination. We felt a little encouraged when Dr. Norris examined Trent's throat because he immediately thought it was NOT an abscess, but it WAS a horrible case of tonsillitis. He felt like Trent did need to be admitted to the hospital for IV fluids and meds, but that he wanted him to take the meds first and then re-examine him in the morning to see if we needed a CT scan at that time. So, we left the ENT's office and drove 1/2 mile to the hospital.
We arrived at Athens Regional Medical Center around 3:45. We were admitted and then taken to a room. Trent's fever had been around 99 at the pediatrician, 101 at the ENT and was about 103 when we were in our hospital room. So, the nurses gave Trent some motrin and said we would start an IV after his fever went down. In the meantime, Wendy came to get Rachel and Bradley since Alex and Julia's school is about 1/2 mile from the hospital, and she sweetly offered to help us out. Rach and Brad really needed some fun and distraction at this point after seeing their baby brother go thru so much. The hospital nurses put some numbing cream in 2 places on Trent's right arm and said we would start an IV in about 30 minutes. So, Nick, Trent and I watched Superman on the movie channel and waited. Trent was so tough. I am still amazed at his strength and endurance of all that he went through during this crappy week.
So, it was Thursday night at about 6:00pm, we began our IV saga in a different room. Poor Trent had to endure 4 failed attempts to get the IV started. Of course, the wonderful spots on his right arm where the numbing cream had been, weren't even where the IV ended up. After 2 nurses failed, they called in a nurse from another floor, obviously one who starts IV's all the time, and she got it started with zero issues, in his left arm. Poor baby felt every stick on that left arm. He cried and asked lots of questions but was so tough. He just kept asking to go back to his "hotel room". We prayed for something to be easy for this poor baby, but this week had just been horrible from the get-go. Finally with the IV in, Trent was exhausted, and ready to lay back in his bed away from needles.
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| What a LONG day, but the IV is in! |
They started his IV fluids and meds and we tried to chill out. He had been on a liquid/broth diet up to this point, but at about 7:30, he started getting hungry and wanted some chicken. :) Thankfully, Deborah and Joe had gone by our house to feed the animals and then, upon my request, Deb kindly picked her way through our dirty, unkempt house to find a few things for me for the night, and some extra clothes and stuffed animals for Trent. They also brought some chick-fil-a, which Trent devoured. :) Nick stayed until he felt comfortable leaving his baby boy, as it seemed that Trent was finally NOT running a fever and was doing pretty well. Nick went to pick up Rach and Brad from Wendy's house and they went home to sleep...altogether...in our bed. No one wanted to be alone that night. :) Trent and I watched tv for a little while longer and then we turned off the tv around 10. Trent was precious and scooted up to the side of the bed where my recliner/bed was pushed up next to his and he held my hand. He fell asleep in about .02 seconds flat! This poor baby was exhausted!!!! I think Trent slept pretty well, but they did come check his temperature several times (which stayed normal, yay!) and changed his IV fluids and meds. I didn't sleep that much, but I was so thankful to see that my baby seemed to be resting and feeling better.
The next morning, Friday-Halloween, Trent woke up feeling much better, fever-free and ready to go home! Going home was the ONLY thing on this sweet boy's mind. In his mind, I guess he had told himself that he would stay in the hospital for one night and then he could go home the next morning. He started crying and was very frustrated. He kept saying he missed his family and Buddy and Dixie. He calmed down right before the ENT came in to check on him, and the ENT was very pleased with how Trent's tonsil infection had responded to the meds. So, thankfully, we wouldn't have to do a CT scan or anything else, just a day of meds. Dr. McCorkle was next to check on Trent and he, too, was pleased. He was very happy with how Trent looked and how his throat looked. He said he would normally like to keep him another night, but since it was Halloween (and he "may" have picked up on Trent's frantic desire to leave), he would try to get us out that afternoon. So, after consoling a very tired, frustrated, still-sick-but-getting-better-little boy, I told him we would probably get to go trick or treating that night AFTER 2 more rounds of antibiotics. Nick, Rach and Brad arrived at the hospital to see us at this point. Nick was able to console a crying and frustrated Trenty and Rach and Brad were very glad to see him. They both said they had been sad the night before so they had asked to sleep with Nick. :) We all hung out at the hospital for awhile and watched as our boy improved. He didn't run any more fever and seemed to have a good appetite. But, Rachel (and particularly Brad) seemed a bit antsy in the hospital room. And, I really wanted to take a shower and put on some clean clothes. So, Rach, Brad and I went home to chill, take a shower and then pick up lunch for Nick and Trent. The shower felt fantastic. I had slept in jeans because our room was so cold and I was too dumb to realize we had our own thermostat to change to our preference. :) We stopped by chick-fil-a again, per Trent's request, and went back to the hospital. While we were gone, Nick and Trent were able to unhook from the IV pump and go visit a playroom that had a video game in it. It wasn't the coolest game ever, but I know it was nice for Trent to get up and walk around a little bit and do something different. Once we ate lunch, Rachel and Bradley were itching to try out this video game also, so they played together, and then with Trent.
After we went back to the room, we watched another movie and again, Bradley got a little antsy. Also, Trent got a little feisty. He started getting annoyed with anyone sitting on his bed and he and Brad started bickering. Obviously, he was feeling better, and it was time for Rach and Brad to go home. So, Nick took Rach and Brad home since we knew that Trent would have his last dose of meds at 3 and then we could leave between 4 and 5. Trent had asked me many times if we were going home soon. I kept telling him I hoped so, but after our unpredictable week, I didn't want to promise ANYTHING. Thankfully, Trent got his last dose of meds and tolerated them fine. The nurse kept us for observation for about 30 minutes and then started working on the paperwork. She said we COULD go home!
This is the big, sweet smile Trent gave me when we found out for sure that he could go HOME!!!
Another nice nurse came in to take out Trent's IV. Trent had lots of questions and concerns about it hurting, but we reassured him that he'd already endured the painful part. Once the IV was out, we changed Trent's clothes and packed up our stuff. Trent felt the need to make the bed and check every area to make sure we weren't leaving anything behind. He was READY to go HOME!
This is Trent making his hospital bed--his idea!
We're finally in the car, heading HOME!!!
Once we arrived home it was about 5:30pm. It was Halloween, and I knew we were going to, at the minimum, take Rachel and Bradley trick or treating, since they had endured a pretty stressful week themselves. But, even though I tried to encourage Trenty to stay home with me, he wouldn't even entertain the thought. He was determined to go trick or treating. And, dangit, we were too tired to argue with him or disappoint him. So, we all went trick or treating. (Pictures to come in another post.) Before we left, Trent had a bit of "roid rage" and was tired, frustrated, crying, unhappy, happy, etc... But, he seemed to level out once we got to the neighborhood where we were trick or treating.
This is our precious boy on Saturday morning, November 1st. He had slept incredibly well in his own comfy bed in his own house with his own toys and his family. :)
And this is right before we got a nice, warm bubble bath and tried very hard to wash off a week's worth of germs, stress, sadness, frustration and pain.
We are so thankful that our precious boy is now feeling 100% fine. We followed up with Dr. M this past Wednesday and he thought Trent looked great and was happy to hear that he has been taking his medicine at home like a champ. He even figured out how to swallow a pill so that we wouldn't have to split open a capsule and mix it with food. Nick has started calling Trent a "Conqueror". I think that's pretty fitting. Trent is tough, he's determined, he has a high threshold for pain and he works to get a job done. He is quite a special little boy! However, we know Trent didn't do any of this on his own. We know that God healed our sweet boy and helped him to endure each part of this crazy, unpleasant week. We are so very thankful for God's healing! We are so thankful for a fantastic pediatrician and countless kind nurses that we encountered over 5 days. We are so thankful for this precious, healthy 5 year old boy. And, we are so thankful to be on this side of that journey. Boy, do we love our Trenty-poo!!
