Hospital Trips

Yet once again, we struggle with the ongoing illnesses of our youngest daughter. Keara had developed an odd looking wound on the end of her left index finger sometime Saturday or Sunday. Well, lucky for Keara momma knows that red+inflammed+pus= INFECTION. So I called her Pediatrician who takes a very strong stand for our dear little girl, and had her put on Bactrim (antibiotic) since she recently had MRSA of her hands and feet. (Methycillan Resistant Staphalycoccus Aureus). Well, needless to say that it started to get worse and spread to other fingers by Wednesday. So come Thursday (May 22nd) we went from sitting in the Pediatricans office to sitting in a hospital room in the Pediatric Wing awaiting our first doses of Vancomycin and Cleocin; two very strong IV antibiotics. This set the precedence for a fun and eventful Friday.

The very start of her right index finger

Her left index finger with beginning necrosis

The Pediatric Hospitalist decided her fingers looked bad enough (with worsening necrotic areas) to have the ICU intensivist come and see her. They, in need of a case study, began literature research based on all of her symptoms searching for any underlying issues that may have been overlooked (quite refreshing for Josh and I). In the meantime she is having a Uticaric flare up, but not itching??

By this time Mommy and Daddy are tired, frustrated, and ready to see her begin to heal. Mind you, we have Ian and Abigail at home so there is mass chaos in trying to coordinate care. A Grateful THANK YOU to our dear neighbors The Stubbs!! They are truly a blessing :)

Ok, so the Hospitalist comes in and tells me that she is trying to find a Pediatric Plastic Surgeon who specializes in Hands. Have you ever looked for one??? Yea, few and far between is an understatement. She is fearful that her fingers will need repair once they are opened, and wants to have the best doctors available. Soooo, off we go via Ambulance to Medical City Children's in Dallas.

Let me go back and just add that albeit Presby Plano is a small hospital, it has an AWESOME Pediatric unit with the doctors, nurses, lab techs, dietary staff, housekeeping, you name it. We could not have been made to feel more comfortable and confident with everyone. Praise and Recognition to Sue RN, Jessy RN, Stephanie RN, Dr.'s Skranika and Frost and the rest of the staff!!!

After a brief rush-hour accident on good 'ol I-75, we finally arrive to Medical City at just about shift change. Yea. We nurses know how fun a last minute admission is :) The attending MD decided after a thorough evaluation that she would take Keara to the Treatment Room (with Daddy) and Lance her fingers, cleaning out the debris. This was done to both index fingers. Now mind you, Keara is in a full blown Uticaric and Eczema flare up and has been given Benadryl, Vistaril, Zyrtec and is still going strong. But low and behold, she prevails with a smile and a new coloring book!

By the next morning (Saturday) we are looking 100% better, acting better, and get to go home with NO IV medications :)

I still can't quite believe how parents can handle life with a chronically ill child. What a blessing for us that even though she does have issues, they are no where near as bad as some families have. Thank you to my parents, in-laws, brother and (future) sister-in-law, niece, neighbors, and all who have offered support and prayers. I truly believe that it is the prayers that led Keara to such a quick, minimally invasive recovery.

Go Rams!! District Champions 2008

Ian #20 Roach Rams 8th Grade Soccer

There is a Season...

These past few months seem to have gone by so quickly! Summer is nearly upon us and Lord I feel like I have accomplished nothing. Abigail is progressed no further with her preschooling, all due to my lack of persistence. It sure makes it a bit more difficult when I am having to work more than my usual 2 days a week. It amazes me just how much more time I have for home and my children by cutting back on just one day a week. I feel like I am letting her down, even though her desire to learn is still very strong (and for that I am grateful).

Things are still a bit rough here with Josh pursuing a new career option. We are cared for first by our Lord, then closely behind from our family and friends. We could not do it without everyone and for that we are immensly grateful. I know in due time, his calling will work out and he can follow his dreams paving a road of happiness for himself. Through Christ all things are possible.


I signed up for one of our Home Groups with Church. This will be a very positive thing for me. I definitely need more spiritual guidance, and need to be surrounded and grounded by those that hold dear the same beliefs and practices as me. I am doing everything in my power to be a true witness in my home, and if this helps strengthen me, then bring it on!!

Ian will be playing in the District Soccer Meet this weekend. His school is going into it in First Place!! Yea!! I wish them all the best of luck, for they are playing so much better as a team than at the beginning of the year.


I will be officially making a career change on May 25th. It is off to the CVICU that I go. I will be taking on Cardiovascular Surgical patients (versus the medical) and moving on to IABP and CRRT. 2 goals of mine to accomplish before I retire (many years from now). I am very excited to be moving on to a highly motivated team with great leadership qualities. I will still be working part time, which I don't think I will ever change? I may have to work extra on occasion, but never sign up for the workload on a permanent basis again. There are 3 reasons at home, and God willing, there will be more.


I find myself repeating, it seems, the same thoughts each time I journal. Is it my way of reinforcing them to myself? Am I that amazed that I can feel so profoundly and deeply for something that is so selfless?? I don't know, maybe it's just that I don't have the secure support for my feelings that I would like to have. Like I am having to prove myself, yet once again, to those I care for as if I'm not good enough.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:3-5