Still Waiting...

For those who are concerned, here is an update on Kaitlynn. Her heart rate is now staying below 100, which is a great relief to me. Mom and I both have a heart condition that lends itself to a rapid heartbeat at times. It is hereditary, according to my doctor, and I was worried that she may have it. Looks like now that it was just due to dehydration. She is still not taking enough nourishment. They cut back on her IV fluids to see if that would encourage more oral intake. Greg pushed about 8oz. of Gatorade down her when he was here. Daddy and Kaitlynn are equally stubborn, so she didn't get off too easy when he was around! :) She has developed a pretty nasty cough throughout the day today. Might be the antibiotic loosening up come congestion.
Thanks for all of your prayers and the MANY, MANY phone calls and visits. We have a terrific support system!
Love to all!

A Break-Your-Heart Statement...

"Mommy, can you tell the boys and girls (doctors and nurses), 'Please don't hurt my daughter.'?"

Life at St. Rita's

It's 8:45 p.m., and I'm getting ready to go home and freshen up for a bit. Doc says we have to stay on until Kaitlynn's heart rate is at an acceptable level. Her temp is up a little, but they haven't given her any fever reducer in the last 20 hours. Hopefully we'll be able to go home tomorrow. I've already told Kaitlynn that she is sleeping in the crib, and I get the bed tonight! She has not slept more than two hours total since Friday morning. Neither have I, and it's beginning to show! We had some visitors tonight, and many phone calls. Thanks to all of our friends and family for your concern!

My pretty girl...

Watching the helicopter right outside our window...

After mama buttered her bread she said, "Oh, that's so beautiful!" The effects of a liquid diet, I guess! :)


My momma told be there'd be days like this!!!



I made this beautiful piece of candy art...should I consider jewelry design as a career?

Climbing around...

Oh my...

Happy now...

Cousin Beth trying to cheer Kaitlynn...

A visit from Santa (aka Mama)...

Kaitlynn gets a visit from her "Parson"...

Well, I was hoping for a relatively quiet weekend at home, with revival in the evenings...wishful thinking! Kaitlynn awoke Thurs. a.m. with a fever and sore throat. Since Ryan had the same thing the week previous, I didn't think too much about it. A heathcare worker I had run into at WalMart said they saw many cases just the same. Just a strain of the flu. By Friday afternoon, I noticed that her heart was beating unusually hard, and when I checked her pulse, it was running about 180-200...way too high. Friday night late, mom came and checked her over. She was at about 190 then. This had gone on for hours. We took her to ER at 1 a.m., and her pulse was 220. She had a high temp, so they gave her Tylenol, and got us into a room. They put her on the heart monitor (she wasn't fond of the "stickers" all over her chest), and started her IV (not the most fun I've ever had). After an oral swab (even more fun) they determined she has strep, and was dehydrated, although she had sweat, tears, urine, etc. We were admitted and had our room by about 7:30 a.m., and here we are, awaiting a visit from the Dr. to determine if and when we can get out of here. In the meantime, Greg has taken the boys home to enjoy the nice weather, and mama is on her way with "treats" for the sick little one. For all you lactating mothers who know the feeling, I was unable to nurse Allison from 1 a.m. until about 12 p.m. Pity party, please... :) I hope Kaitlynn gets well soon. I know there are a lot of children who have to face much worse, but she is desparately wanting home and her bed. She has always been paranoid of the doctor, dentist, or anyone else who carried sharp objects! This has not been a treat, that's for sure. And as for my never-ending string of hospital bills...
So long for now!

After a few hours in the bed, the crib looked a little more cozy.

Received one bear in the ER and another in Peds!

Happy to see daddy!

Enjoy -

You'll have to copy and paste this one, but I thought you might enjoy if you haven't already read...

http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/like.old.fashioned.holiness.people.htm