Sunday, July 27, 2008

The Big Scare

So... Friday morning was "The Big Scare."  I will try to relay the important details without writing a novel.

Noah had been struggling with phlegm, coughing, and general reflux discomfort over middle part of last week.  We had been in touch with Noah's pediatric GI doc and tried to figure out what we could do to ease his digestion and clear out his throat.  

After sleeping with his dad in the living room recliner Thursday night, Noah almost lost the fight to keep his airway clear.  We awoke Friday morning to find Noah limp, unresponsive, and struggling to breath.  We rushed him to the emergency room in Tuscaloosa where he was immediately put on a ventilator and prepared for transport to Children's Hospital in Birmingham.  

It was, without a doubt, the scariest moment of my life.

He has been in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children's since Friday.  Saturday morning, after getting feisty with the nurses and attempting to pull his breathing tube out, Noah came off the ventilator and has been breathing on his own ever since.  His lungs and airway still sound junky and the nurses are suctioning out his airway periodically to ease his breathing.

Noah slowly seems to be returning to his spunky self.  He is actively playing with his toys and interacting with us.  He has most of his nurses wrapped around his little finger... this morning we arrived to find him propped up like a king, watching TV and playing with his toys that the nurses had rigged to hang over his bed.  

The nurses and doctors continue to monitor Noah's breathing... and will likely keep him in the ICU until they are satisfied that he is getting plenty of oxygen and flushing out plenty of carbon dioxide.  The next step will be to evaluate his digestive issues and possibly do a surgery that will strengthen the muscle at the base of the esophagus so that he can't reflux as easily (and therefore is less likely to aspirate).

We are digging in for a long haul... the attending doctor in the PICU said she would expect that Noah wouldn't be discharged until the end of the week at the earliest.  Unfortunately, this means our anticipated trip to St. Louis is cancelled... fortunately, because we had planned on going to St. Louis, Josh's schedule is clear and he won't really have any work responsibilities this week.  

The best part about the PICU is that there is always a nurse within a few feet of Noah's bed... and they kick us out overnight so we have to get rest.  There are some families who crash in the hospital lobby or the waiting room... Josh and I have opted to stay in hotels so far (Birmingham is about 50 miles from Tuscaloosa, a little too far for us to drive back and forth every day).  We are hoping to find some slightly cheaper housing for the rest of the week, but the details still need to be worked out.

I'm off to get some sleep now.  More updates later.  Thanks for your prayers.

20 comments:

Bob Hansel said...

Praying...

Anonymous said...

Deb and Josh,
I am so sorry to hear of Noah's hospital stay. I'm sure that was a terrifying experience. It sounds like he is in very good hands. I'm glad that both of you can stay nearby, but get some much-needed rest. Hopefully the doctors will find a solution to Noah's GI problems that will give all of you some relief. Your family is in our daily prayers. Take care.
Love, Kathy H.

Anonymous said...

You all are in our constant thoughts and prayers. God bless.

The Kinzingers

Anonymous said...

Praying for God's grace, mercy and peace to cover all three of you. Linda

Jen said...

Praying for you all and looking forward to more updates about Noah getting back to his regular self!

Anonymous said...

We are so relieved to hear Noah is getting better.God hears our prayers... all of you are in our thoughts and prayers as God continues to lay His healing hand on Noah.Try to get some rest,God will take care of the rest. Love you

Ron said...

And the prayers continue from Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

I do not personally know you, but I am praying for your family as well. When our little one was in the hospital we were able to stay at Ronald McDonald House... It was wonderful there. The rooms were comfy, home cooked meals in the evenings, and other parents in similar situations as we were could chat and support one another. The room was very cheap as well. Check with the social services people at the hospital to see if they have one there.

Hang in there... I will continue to pray.

Marie LaMar

The Wagners said...

We're always praying for you guys and think of you often. Sending much love your way...

Jodie Allen said...

the allen family is praying...

erin said...

Praise God that Noah is doing so much better. I can't imagine the scare. Love you guys and we'll keep praying!

Anonymous said...

Deb,
You, Josh and Noah are in our prayers!

Jim Biggs said...

I cannot imagine what you are going through. My boys and I pray for Noah every night.

Jim Biggs

chri said...

Dear Deb and Josh,
I am glad to hear Noah is doing better, now, and I am sure they will watch him closely in the ICU...may your week show improvement every day with Noah. I am praying for each of you, and may you feel God holding you as you take each day in stride. Thinking of you,
Love,
Chri

D said...

How terrifying! I'm so glad to hear that he's doing better, though. Sounds like the nurses are really good.

Take care and keep us all posted. Will be praying hard for you, Josh, and Noah.

Bill and Melodie said...

I am praying for your sweet boy. I met a friend of yours last week in Guatemala, Katie Mohr...
She is so sweet. I must get to T-town someday and meet you!

Melodie Schroder

Anonymous said...

I can't imagine your terror. Know that I am praying for you, Josh, and especially Noah as you wait for God's perfect timing and plan to ufold...no easy thing to do as you travel each day to the hospital ICU! May God bless your little boy with a swift recovery and bless his doctors with supernatural wisdom and discernment...and you and Josh with His peace.

Lance and Heather said...

wow. i can't imagine how scared you must have felt. I am so glad that he is breathing on his own and in a place where he can be closely monitored. i am not sure how you guys do it. as always, we are praying and thinking about you 3 often!!

heather

Janet said...

Sorry to hear that Noah got so ill. We have done the crashing on the waiting room floor...no fun and no rest! You are wise to sleep elsewhere.

Anonymous said...

Josh, Deb,

know that Noah & your family are in my prayers...


matt ryan

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