Saturday, January 31, 2009

Viral Pneumonia


This picture sums up our week. This is the only position that keeps Ben from coughing. Poor Benny has been sick for the last 7 days. He's been fighting the cold that everyone else has had in this home. We spent last Sunday night in the ER because he was running a really high fever and was coughing constantly. Because his chest x-ray came back okay, I decided to take him home. Yesterday he started to get worse again. His oxygen saturation was running low. He's normally 98-100%. He's been running 88-92% and his left lung was not moving much air. I took him in again today and both lungs show 'infiltration'. It looks more viral than bacterial so we are not treating him with antibiotics. I had an interesting experience while I was there. Sometimes as a mother of a sick child, it's nice to be heard. Sometimes it's nice when the doctor's just make the decision for you, because it's their job afterall. Today I had both the ER doctor and the PICU doctor coming to ME to make the decision on what to do for Ben. "Do we treat him with meds, or do we not treat him. Should we admit him for some c-pap to keep his lungs open, or do we send him home hoping he'll pull through?" These are some of the questions I was asking THEM! They bounced them back to me. In the end I decided that I would take him home hoping that he would fight through it. (I had Kaleb's basketball game to coach later that day and I really wanted to be there.) The nice thing, is that the PICU doctor told me that I can always head up there if things get worse. It's nice to be trusted, but I also left the ER feeling like I should be the one holding the MD after my name since I was the one that made the decision. :) (let's hope it was the right one)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

FOCUS

“Our thoughts create our reality, where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go."
Peter McWilliams

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Those cheeks...

LOOK!
Look at those CHEEKS!
I couldn't resist capturing them this morning.
We just got back from our morning school drop off.
This is what Ben does when we get back home.
He shuts out the world and falls back to sleep.
Atleast until his PT arrives...
(darn it!)

Here he is during PT...
apparently he doesn't care.
Funny Ben...

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Ben's Angel...

This is my friend, Becky.
She is dear to my family.
When Ben was born,
she was drawn to him.
(we weren't close at the time)
She wanted to learn all about him.
She offered her services to us.
Little by little she was trained on ALL there is to know.
She now has an honorary RN degree,
and is one of my closest friends.
We are so grateful to have her in our lives.
She loves Ben like one of her own.
We call her Ben's second mother.
We call her Angel.
Happy Birthday Becky!
We love you!!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Time for bed...

Have you heard how COLD it is here in New Hampshire?
It's -10 degrees right now.
Because we are heating soley with our pellet stove,
the upstairs is a little to chilly for Benjamin.
Tonight Ben will be sleeping in front of the stove.
I want to make sure his body stays nice and warm.
He doesn't regulate his temparature very well.
Sometimes he needs a little help.
He's all tucked in for a long winters sleep.
Nighty, night Benjamin!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Ben's Friend...

Meet MAX.
He's our special needs pug.
He's missing a few chips from his cookie.
That's why we love him so...

...and that is why he LOVES Ben.

He's checking out his scent.
(I think he approves)

Obviously Max doesn't care where he settles in, as long as he's with his friend.

Do you see any resemblence here? Friends of a feather...flock together. :)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

My MiMi


This is my grandmother.
I know that she loves me very much.
She gets concerned about how stiff I am getting.
She doesn't like when my drool makes my clothes wet.
She's always making something for me,
to help me be more comfortable.
For Christmas she made me these...
Another cute bib to keep me dry...
And this cute Sunday sweater to keep me warm. You can't see it here, but she cut the sleeves so that my mom can get me dressed without hurting my arms. Don't I look so handsome?
I love my mimi.

Only my sister would think of playing checkers on my sweater. :)

Friday, January 2, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

At the stroke of midnight, everyone at my Aunt Jenny's party ran around the house barefoot carrying an item that they would like to improve upon in the new year. Mom stayed inside with cousin David and I because it was TOO COLD outside for us. We made a deal that our resolution would be to stay healthy. She will also be working on her personal scripture study as well as trying to cut back on her sugar consumption. My New Year Resolution?
Staying out of the PICU in 2009!
Ringing in the NEW YEAR with cousin Mason.
Can you believe that WE stayed up until MIDNIGHT?
(my eyes are looking a little heavy)
PARTY ON PEOPLE!!!
Mom's always looking for an excuse to smooch my cheeks. :)

Happy New Year everyone!