dear friends,
we are so grateful that we were able to bring brennan home on Thursday, February 14, but it has been a rough few days. Brennan's stools increased on Friday to a greater number that he has had up until now, and we could not reach the on-call GI doctor though he was being paged every 15 minutes (it turns out the answering service was calling the wrong doctor). We couldn't reach our pediatrician either, and so ended up just making adjustments ourselves to his feeding.
To make matters worse, I woke up this morning with a 102.5 fever - this is a big issue with Brennan because of the central line risk of infection. He's not supposed to be around anyone with a fever or infection. I went to the doctor this morning and tested positive for flu. I am taking meds now, but the risks for a baby to be around flu are significant anyway, and multiplied many times because of the central line. Unfortunately, no one else had been trained in how to change Brennan's feeding bag or flush his central line, so I called our home health care nurse and she came out to the house today and trained my mom and Jeff. My parents actually took Brennan to their house and are keeping him there until my fever is gone. We are SO grateful for my parents and all their help -- we don't know what we would do without them. But it is really hard not to be with my baby at all. And we are doing everything we can to keep Tommy away from me as well. He got a flu shot, but we do not want to risk him getting sick as well. He knows I'm sick and is precious - getting me things to make me better "so I can snuggle you." There is nothing I want more right now than to be able to snuggle both of our boys, but that is the last thing I can do.
Please pray that our boys will be protected and won't get the flu - especially that Brennan won't develop a fever. If he has a 100.4 fever at any time we have to immediately take him to the ER b/c of the risk of the central line being infected. To be perfectly honest, Jeff and I are pretty discouraged right now. We are so happy to have Brennan come home, but it seems like it's one thing after another. Financial stress is hitting us now, too, as medical bills are starting to arrive, and we are having to start purchasing this specialized formula that is insanely expensive ($50/can).
We continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for all the love and support you have shown us. As my grandma used to say (and my mom quotes all the time), "This too shall pass." And we know that is true, but we wouldn't mind hurrying it up a bit.
as a P.S., Jeff wants me to add that he is heating up frozen green beans to eat for dinner, if that tells you something about our life right now. Even better is the fact that those green beans are the most significant thing he's eaten today. part of the reason for that is probably because Jeff spent the day so focused on making sure he was taking care of me. I am so grateful for a husband and parents who would do anything for me. I know how lucky I am.
also, my mom tells us that lots of you have offered to bring meals to us, and we are so grateful. Jeff really likes eating frozen green beans for dinner, though, and he'll probably miss that. :)
Baby Brennan Eckert
This blog is devoted to Brennan Charles Eckert, born November 16, 2007, to parents Kim and Jeff and big brother Tommy. On January 25, 2008, 10 week-old Brennan was admitted to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital. He was severely dehydrated and eventually diagnosed with Slick Gut Syndrome. Brennan's doctors tell us he will be here about a month with a lengthy recovery at home as well. This blog is meant to update all those who are loving and supporting us and our sweet Brennan.
UPDATE: Brennan spent 21 days at TC Thompson and was discharged from the hospital on February 14, 2008. He began receiving food by mouth on February 18. His oral feeds were gradually increased as his tube feedings were decreased until he was shifted to 100% oral feeds on February 29. His feeding tube was removed on March 3, and his central line was removed on March 6. According to his doctor, Brennan is now a "normal baby with a recovering gut." He is home with us and doing great!
Although we never could have prepared for this experience, we are more grateful than we ever could have been for the gift of our son. We have been so blessed by a community of folks who walked with us on this journey. Some were people we hardly knew, and others were lifelong loved ones, but we were given to abundantly at a time when our needs were great. And we are so thankful for how God met us in our need through the hands and feet and love of so many of his people.
"Let the Great Rabbi hold you silently against His heart. In learning who He is, you will find out who you are: Abba's child in Christ our Lord."
-Brennan Manning
Saturday, February 16, 2008
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4 comments:
i am so sorry i remember when we first brought james home after his initial diagnosis-it was terrible but it did get better. praying it gets better soon adn that you feel better-think of you constantly
the whole mess seems so unfair anyhow, but the flu on top of it all? is there no end to this madness? (just taking a moment to openly and honestly rant and rave on your behalf.)we have all had a stomach bug here and even on that minute level, it feels just terrible to have a sick child and be too sick yourself to care for them the way your heart longs to.
but seriously, i am praying that "this too shall pass...as quickly as possible!" hang in there!
Hey guys, I am so sorry to hear of the flu on top of everything else. we are thinking of you and praying for you. We'd love to take Tommy out for some fun - movie, ice-cream, playing at our house, whatever. I'm available to assist with Brennan too. And to bring food, if you have any appetite. I can heat up a mean broth!
You are so loved by the Flynn family. I'll call soon to see what we can do.
Dear Kim,
We're so sorry to read about everything that's been happening... Brennan looks so precious, and Tommy's just a sweetheart!! Hope you'll feel better soon, too. We're thinking of you and praying for you!!
love,
Gloria & Ning
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