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.