My 7 y.o. is in the hospital again...

[benEzra]

in the regional pediatric ICU, with high fever and pneumonia (or pulmonary edema of unknown etiology). With him, cardiac complications are always a worry (he's a cardiac kid, born with tetralogy of Fallot and complete pulmonary atresia, mostly repaired but still non-standard architecture), and the doctors at our local tier-3 hospital were a bit worried yesterday about him being close to the tipping point for congestive heart failure, which is why they transported him to our regional PICU. His fever was 105 on Wed., which got better, but yesterday his O2 sats were 77-88 on 5 liters/min of O2 and trending worse (he's normally 95+ on room air), pulse 145+ (trending up), respiration 45-55 (trending up), not good. Thankfully, he is WAY better today, pulse and resp. back to normal and sat'ing 95-ish on the O2. He's on fluorquinones for the infection (yeah, a bit atypical, but he's allergic to most first-line antibiotics so med choice is a little tricky).

Right now, my wife is with him, and we are tag-teaming; I was with him until yesterday morning (got 1 hour of sleep Wed. night, in a chair, and went to work Thurs., I probably looked like something out of a zombie movie), when my wife took over to give me a break. I'll probably take over tonight and let her get some R&R at home for a day or two. He's doing pretty well psychologically, has his Leap Pad and his Buzz Lightyear, and gets to watch all the movies he wants, plus one of us is always there with him so he doesn't feel isolated.

This is actually pretty routine for us, as our son has had 2 open-hearts, 7 angioplasties, and a Ladd procedure so far, but unscheduled hospitalizations (well, any hospitalizations) are still No Fun, especially for him. Still, I was really proud of him when they put in his IV on Wednesday; he barely flinched, doesn't like it but knows it's necessary (and knows it'll help him feel better), and watched the process with interest. He'll probably be a nurse when he grows up. Fuhgedaboud Arnold, I know a real Tough Guy...

Would appreciate your prayers/thoughts for him while he's in.

The Man Himself (sorry, photo is a few months old):

[LaurenG]

1. Good thoughts and prayers for your little boy and for you and your wife

:hug: *Get well soon little one*. Please tell him for us.

[benEzra]

8. I will tonight, thanks!! (n/t)

[PassingFair]

2. Thinking of you....

Glad the weekend is coming up so you can both
spend time with him without work screwing things up.

So sorry!

[VenusRising]

3. What an angelic face!

All my prayers and good thoughts for your son and your family as you move through this period. You're all very lucky to have each other.

:hug::hug::hug:

[Beer Snob-50]

4. I'll include your son and family in my prayers

btw, he looks like a tough guy.

[Kixel]

5. What a doll!

PICU is a scary place to be. Your family will be in my prayers!

[MissMillie]

6. here's hoping he's home and healthy in no time

:hug:

[Connonym]

7. I'm so sorry

My most positive vibes being sent in your direction. He's been through so much for a little guy but he looks like a tough guy. Please keep us posted. :hug: (and try to get some sleep)

[Arugula Latte]

9. Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry.

I've got a seven-year-old, too.

Positive thoughts sent to your family ... :hug:

[LynzM]

10. I'm so sorry to hear that....

:hug: Lots of love and hugs and good thoughts coming your way!

[Beausoir]

11. Prayers to you all. What a beautiful boy.

Wow. You have really been through a lot.

That little feller sounds like a really courgeous kid. What a trooper.

Sending good, healing vibes your way. Poor little buddy...he should be out playing instead of in there.

Speedy recovery honey!

[Midlodemocrat]

12. He's positively adorable! Prayers and good thoughts for your entire family.

Get well quickly, little guy. You've gonna break a lot of hearts when you're older with that adorable face.

[MonkeyFunk]

13. aw, he's a cutie

you and your family will be in my thoughts.

[eyepaddle]

14. I'm so glad he's improving, best wishes and hopes

:hug:

[deadparrot]

15. Oh no...

Best wishes for the little guy! He's a cutie. :)

[ThomCat]

16. I'm sending good thoughts.

I hope this all goes well. :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

17. You will be in my thoughts :)

:hug: stay strong and hold on

[crim son]

18. My heart goes out to your son, the cute little monkey.

I will say a prayer for his quick recovery. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

19. Best wishes for the little guy and his family.

It may be semi-routine for him but I'd bet that it's never routine for you and your wife.
:hug:

[npincus]

20. all the best, to you and your family

and especially that little sweetheart of a boy.

[mzteris]

21. oh man -

what a tough little guy you've got there.

I can't imagine how yall do it. That's got to be hard on everyone. Take care of yourself and your wife, too. Though I know your son comes first. Kids should.

I'll keep you guys in my thoughts and send positive vibes your way.

[Maine-ah]

22. sending good thoughts your way!

:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

23. So young to learn to be so brave

He is a real wonder to be adored.

Hope he's back home soon. :hug:

[auntAgonist]

24. absolutely!

You have my best wishes and prayers.

:hug:

aA
kesha

[Cabcere]

25. What a cute kid!

:) He sounds like a fighter, too. Here's hoping everything goes well and that he gets better soon! :hi: :hug: I'll be thinking about you guys.

[philosophie_en_rose]

26. Aw, What a strong little guy.

I hope he feels better soon. :pals:

[1gobluedem]

27. Good thoughts headed your way

Looks like you've got quite a fighter. What a great kid.

[Book Lover]

28. All of my best thoughts are with him, and with you and your wife

:hug:

[latebloomer]

29. Love and healing thoughts to everybody!

Hope he's soon feeling up to messing up the house!

[skygazer]

30. All my best wishes to all of you

No matter if it's "pretty routine" for you - it's never easy to see your child ill or in the hospital. He's really, really cute. :hug:

[Redstone]

31. I simply CANNOT imagine what you're going through, not having gone through

it myself. But I can try to imagine, and send you, your wife, and most of all your son, my best wishes and hopes.

Redstone

[u4ic]

32. Sending lots of healing vibes

to your son. He most certainly is a tough little chap.

Hugs all round for your family. I can't imagine what you're going through. :grouphug:

[benEzra]

33. Update--looks like he'll be going to the step-down unit this evening! (n/t)

[myrna minx]

34. Your baby is just a dreamboat.

I hope all goes well and my best wishes are with you and your family. :hug:

[lizziegrace]

35. Best wishes

for your little guy.

:hug:

[Scarlett17]

36. I will keep him, you, and your wife in my thoughts.

I will you all the very best and I hope everything turns out well.

:grouphug:

[Mojambo]

37. All the best.

Will be thinking of you and your family.

[devilgrrl]

38. Sending good vibes to your little son...

I hope he gets well soon. :hug:

[Nicole]

39. Good thoughts and well wishes

for your little guy. :hug:

[GenDem]

40. Thoughts and prayers heading your way!

He's a beautiful little boy!!! Bless all of you! :hug:

[halobeam]

41. I'll send my warmest thoughts to him and all of you.....

It is certainly a different life isn't it. I haven't gone through as much as you have, but endured very similar circumstances with my oldest. I feel for you. Let other's in. I wish I had this community back then. Glad to see you reaching out. So many people CARE.

So here's to all of you :grouphug:

[qanda]

42. Continued strength and peace to all of you

Your kid is amazing and he's so blessed to have such wonderful parents. I hope he's better soon.

[NC_Nurse]

43. He's a cutie!

A nurse friend of mine was born with tetralogy of Fallot. She is around 40 now...and a
wonderful nurse. He sounds like a great kid, I'm pulling for him! :hug:

[GCP]

44. As a mother of 2 kids who were lucky enough not to be born with T.O.F

I can only imagine what you've all been through. He's adorable and I wish you all nothing but plain sailing from now on - may the wind be at your backs.
Peace and love.

[City Lights]

45. So sorry to hear your news.

Sending good vibes your way. Your son is adorable and looks like a real trooper. Hope he's better soon. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[KitchenWitch]

46. It is so hard when the little ones are ill

My daughter has had some health problems (not to the magnitude of your son's) and we have had to spend many days in the hospital because of her asthma.

Love and healing light to your guy!

:hug:

[buddhamama]

47. what a doll Your son is!

i am sending healing, positive vibes to him, and you. i am sorry he is going through this. many blessings. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Zookeeper]

48. What a sweet boy!

I will keep him in my thoughts, BenEzra.

Hugs and good wishes to you and your family....:hug: :hug: :hug:

[blondeatlast]

49. Prayers indeed. And please, take care of yourselves in the midst of this.

It sounds like you and his mom have a good plan.

{{(benEzra & family)))

[Shine]

50. Wow. Prayers, good wishes, healing light comin' your way, friend.

:hug: Hang in there. What an amazing family you are. :groughug:

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

51. Good prayers are being

said for your son and the rest of the family.

[TK421]

52. Best wishes n/t

[Critters2]

53. He's beautiful!

You have my prayers!!

[lavenderdiva]

54. what a beautiful boy!

Please keep us posted on his progress, and how you and your wife are faring. All of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

[Madspirit]

55. Our thoughts are with you and yours

Your little boy is such a cutie. I wish all of you well.
Lee

[mentalsolstice]

56. I was in the hospital when I was seven...

I'm sending him some good vibes! Just make sure they treat him with the same dignity as they would an adult. That's what I remember most about my experience...

[Metta]

57. May healing go where its needed for all of you.

And fill in the holes with light and grace. (So be it).

[bluethruandthru]

58. Glad to hear he's doing better!

Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers. Hope he's home and well soon!

[spindrifter]

59. Healing thoughts for your son.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

60. What a beautiful little boy...

I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers...
:hug::hug::hug:

[Pushed To The Left]

61. Sending good thoughts and prayers

He sounds like a very courageous young man!

[Lady President]

62. Sending Positive Vibes

I'm sending all my best wishes to your handsome young fellow.

Also, don't forget that you and your wife need to take care of yourselves too. :)

[ChoralScholar]

63. What a big, brave boy.

Thoughts and prayers.