Friday, July 14, 2006
By the way...
I forgot to let everyone know that this blog is to be read from the top down. I did this in backwards fashion so that you could read it like a normal story. So the story starts from the picture with her by herself and ends with her in my arms. I hope that I didn't confuse anyone. Also, I wanted to give a special thanks to Noemi's family at Jackson Memorial Hospital. They helped us understand more of what Madie was going through... Lot's of love.
Madie's Crazy 44 Day Ride...
Hello again... You are not going to believe this story. For the sake of time, I will only post the short version of this story. If you chose to read the whole enchilada, let me know and I will send you the whole story through email.
The last time that I posted, Madison was beginning to develop a bit of a cough. She probably caught it from me but what was to transpire over the next six weeks, no one could have prepared us for... (except God, of course). On May 25th we took this picture. The next day, we rushed her to the emergency room at Joe DiMaggio's Children Hospital because she looked like she was turning blue from her coughs... When we get there, her first diagnosis is RSV, a viral infection that is deadly.
The last time that I posted, Madison was beginning to develop a bit of a cough. She probably caught it from me but what was to transpire over the next six weeks, no one could have prepared us for... (except God, of course). On May 25th we took this picture. The next day, we rushed her to the emergency room at Joe DiMaggio's Children Hospital because she looked like she was turning blue from her coughs... When we get there, her first diagnosis is RSV, a viral infection that is deadly.
Week 1
It first started off just getting support for some oxygen. We didn’t want to take any evasive actions because of her hemangioma. People ask me when she’s going home… I say “oh… next week. For sure.”
Week 2-3
Her situation kept getting worse. She didn’t want to eat and her oxygen saturations were getting worse. The doctors recommended to intubate. Things are not good! Here she is on the Oscillator, a ventilation machine. In order to be on this she had to go on heavy sedation and paralytic medication. To say the least it was a little freaky. But I knew that God had his hand in this… so… no problem! People ask me when she’s going home… I say “oh… next week. For sure.”
Noemi and Noelia’s sleeping conditions.
Two mother’s who can’t leave their child alone… amazing. They both slept on this for 44 days… yes BOTH! I tried for about an hour. I ended up staying up that whole night watching TV. Needless to say, I was useless for a sleepover. People ask me when she’s going home… I say “oh… next week. For sure.”
Week 4
The doctors got her off the Oscillator and on to a conventional ventilator. Madie begins to gain. Slowly but surely. People ask me when she’s going home… I say “oh… next week. For sure.”
She's off the Vents.
She’s off the vents!!! Now, back to the tent! Only problem now was that since she was heavily medicated, her eyes were doing this freaky roving motion. That was “way” crazy!!!
Mommie and Madie... together again.
I can’t take it anymore. So, I convince Noemi to go out for one night. We saw Superman. How fitting.
The ICU staff, which by the way is the best in the whole wide world, helped us celebrate Madie’s 5th month birthday.
Mommie and Madie... together again.
I can’t take it anymore. So, I convince Noemi to go out for one night. We saw Superman. How fitting.
The ICU staff, which by the way is the best in the whole wide world, helped us celebrate Madie’s 5th month birthday.
She's looking GOOD!
She’s coming back with a vengeance. People ask me when she’s going home… I say “oh… next week. For sure.” I am going to be right one of these weeks!!!
Grub time!!!
We had to put a tube in her stomach so that she could start eating. Here is Madie and Mia drinking milk together. Our new family dinner requires tubing and machine's but at least she's eating!!!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Daddie and Madie
I told you last week she’d be home… right? 44 day's later. Quite weak, but happier. She’s always smiling now. Okay, so she still on some narcotics but that’s not the point. She’s lovelier than ever. I am glad that Madie and Mommie are back. Mia and I missed them. And yes... those ARE bags under my eyes. Sleep more you say? Uh, what is "sleep."
I just wanted to thank everyone out there who thought of Madison during these tough times. It meant the world to us. And again... Thank you Joe DiMaggio PICU. The bestest, most wondefullest, greatest, coolest team in the whole wide world. Without you, this would have been a lot tougher. And most importantly, thank you Abuela and Ama (Noe's mom and mine, respectively). They probably won't read this, but I wanted to recognize! Without them, it would have been impossible.
As for Mommie... no words can explain... none!
but pictures can... ahhhhhh! In my arms again.
I just wanted to thank everyone out there who thought of Madison during these tough times. It meant the world to us. And again... Thank you Joe DiMaggio PICU. The bestest, most wondefullest, greatest, coolest team in the whole wide world. Without you, this would have been a lot tougher. And most importantly, thank you Abuela and Ama (Noe's mom and mine, respectively). They probably won't read this, but I wanted to recognize! Without them, it would have been impossible.
As for Mommie... no words can explain... none!
but pictures can... ahhhhhh! In my arms again.