Walking Therein

Caleb Update

Matt got up very shortly afterward to go to work, and I told him what was going on, and we decided to go to the hospital. I took his temperature again with another thermometer, because Matt could not believe his temp was that high, and it was the same. His temp was at 105' when we left.

The hospital is about ten minutes away, and they took us right in and gave him an exam room in the ER. They did the usual temp under the arm. It was down already to 101'.

I don't have time to go into detail, but these are some things they did:
-looked at his ears,
-looked at his throat,
I gave him tylenol, which he took very well.
-drew blood
-did a throat culture
-did a chest xray to rule out pneumonia, (boy was I mad at the Tech who wouldn't just leave him alone and let us help him. He was fine when his Dad helped him, and he was fine when he and I both helped him. He stood on the chair and held our hands, but then she would try to move him or something, and Caleb just wanted her to leave him alone. He ended up getting three shots, and they wanted another and to strap him to the board, and I would not let them. He let them take blood without so much struggle, he hadn't slept much, and if they really needed it, we could try later. She was dismayed that I wouldn't consent. I really didn't care. We went back to his room, and he slept for an hour or so. His fever went down to 99', so I was a lot less worried.

His white blood cell count is good. He is not dehydrated. He does not have pneumonia. His ?ketones were up a bit, since he hadn't eaten.
After I talked to the Dr. again about Caleb having been sick last week, and that he had not vomited or had diarrhea, she realized that what I was saying about him having the flu was probably true, and she had them do an Influenza smear. This meant they had to stick a swab clear up his nose and get a sample.

He rested for awhile after that, which is just what he really needed.
The Dr. came in to let us know that he did indeed have influenza, and gave us our 'options'. One was hospitalization. She gave us a Rx, and we went ahead home. He does so much better when he rests, so I am trying to focus on that.  He is also eating and drinking what ever we give him, mostly just ice water.

TODAY:

Caleb is still bouncing all over on his temperatures. It will go right back up to 106', if we don't keep it down with fever reducer and wet cloths. I want to keep him home and not hospitalize him. He is very coherent and can tell me how he feels. I finally got some sleep last night, but I missed his tylenol time. :( So I awoke to a high temp.

I am very worried, of course, and trying to keep some composure, but also crying out to the Lord. Sometimes, I just don't get this faith thing. I trust the Lord, tho, as Caleb is his boy, his gift to me. I am confident the Lord means what He says when he says to children to obey your children that it may be well and they may live long on the earth. I believe it is His plan for them to live long on the earth. :)

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1:47 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by quietcajun

Still praying.

This will sound goofy, but it works.

Try putting wet socks on Caleb and dry socks on top of that. I am not sure why it works,but it draws the fever down.

Yeah right...

2:37 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

That is *not* going to happen. We can rub goot on his feet, I even snuck onion slices into his socks for about an hour, but he is not going to let me put wet socks on him. No way.
I am putting a wet towel on his head, and I uncover him as much as I can.
He is asleep right now. He just took his flu medicine, and I need to get him more motrin. It doesn't last long tho. :(
HUGS!
Thanks~
J

Oh wow..

3:37 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by mominpa

I will pray for the little one and you during this time....

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4:10 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by HeartnSoul

Aww poor little guy! What would they be doing differently anyway in the hosp.? (which is full of more sick ppl lol)

Which strain is it?

Denise

Hello

5:05 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by cherryblossom

Oh I pray he gets well soon!!!!!!!!!!!! God has a reason for everything.

Love and prayers
Julia

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5:13 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Jacque --

Still praying of course!! God is our great physician! He has little Caleb in His hands and is holding him. Just hold on to Jesus!

God bless,
Sallie
http://www.angelfire.com/sc/anderklan/seasidetales

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5:25 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Tiany

Praying for your little one!!!

Thank you

6:30 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by JacqueDixonSoulRestES

....... so much for all your prayers. You know how much I covet them.

Christina~ I tried the wet sock thing. He hated it at first, but was ok for about an hour after I put the dry ones on. I don't know that it helped much though. His feet were already really cold (strangely), when I put the socks on him, and were still cold when I took them off. His temp was pretty much the same.

Denise~ I do not know which strain it is. I forgot to ask. I'm surprised she didn't tell me.

I am giving him honey and cinnamon and .... breastmilk... in his drinks. Yup... my old cure-all, breastmilk! We will see how it works!
I totally hate giving him this Tamiflu. I think he gets worse when I give it to him. He just took some ibuprofen like a trooper and is resting now. Amen.

Oh, and I didn't include the fact that he and I sang about 50+ choruses of Amazing Grace. It is so sweet to hear him. He knows almost all the words to 2 verses, and to hear him/see him mouthing the words in his sleepy state is so sweet.
Jocelyn tried to sing to him this afternoon, but sat quietly with tears running down her face, listening to me and watching him.... :(

Time for barn work, then dinner....
thank you friends~


Edited by JacqueDixonSoulRestES on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 5:35 PM

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6:47 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Bless his little heart. I've been praying for him since Amanda emailed me yesterday morning. Thank you for the update...

Amy (Simple Folk)

Prayers

8:11 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hope all is getting better. And you can get some rest yourself.

I will pray for you in this journey.

Take care,
Amy
www.crumbsonmyfloor.com

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9:06 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Honeybee

Never fun. I'll be praying for you all.

Blessings,
Melissa

http://livinglifebetweenthetrees.blogspot.com

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9:07 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

I will be praying. Noah (our almost 2 year old) and I had the flu last week. I had to take tamiflu as well, and was so relieved, because in 5 days I was almost completely healed up except for some lack of energy adn needing extra sleep. Noah is doing great now too, getting into everything again, but still needing double naps!

Hope Caleb continues to get better and breaks that temp soon!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

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9:12 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Honeybee

I just read the rest of your comments and thought I might suggest you try a lemon, honey, ginger tea. It is a great help for respiratory (as well as everything else). Here's a link to the recipe.

http://livinglifebetweenthetrees.blogspot.com/2008/01/fresh-ginger.html

Melissa

Still Praying . . .

9:47 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by ichuzchrist

I am still praying that he will quickly feel better. It must be a bit scary, but he is in the hands of the Almighty God. There is no better place to be. I would have taken him home as well, instead of being in the hospital. No one is comfortable in a hospital.

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10:48 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Jocelyndixon

Thank you for the comment Mother Dear. I love you too. I am so glad he is better... he's got me worried. : ( I saw the Dr. Pepper out today and said to myself "oh Caleb will get - oh wait he's not able to run and get the dp." Hmmm I might take the dp-gulping kid back now.

Love
MJ

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11:10 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

I said a prayer for you and your son.


Charity

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11:43 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by skdenfeld

You poor thing. I hope you all are given both rest and health soon,

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11:50 PM, Thursday, February 28, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Praying for you--been through these days and nights recently with my little ones.

Sherry--large family mothering--www.breedzing.com

Praying for Caleb

9:16 AM, Friday, February 29, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Hi Jacque, it's Angie & I wanted you to know that I'm crying out to the Lord with you for Caleb's healing. Father God, help his little body fight this infection. Strengthen and comfort him. Give his mother and family your peace and wisdom for meeting all his needs. I ask in Jesus' name, amen.

Caleb

10:55 AM, Friday, February 29, 2008 .. Posted by Robyn

Jacque,
Do you alternate the motrin and then the tylenol ? That seems to help when my little guy's are sick....I will be praying. We have a "BIG" family too and when something goes around it takes at least 2 weeks for it to take its round.

I will be praying for Caleb and for you to get rest. Trust HIM, he is faithful!!!


http://ourdowlinghome.blogspot.com

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12:15 PM, Friday, February 29, 2008 .. Posted by MamaArcher

I am praying!!!
Kristine

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3:40 PM, Friday, February 29, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Jacque,
So sorry to hear about Caleb! I read your post on HSB and came here to check on an update...... the influenza has been very bad this year .... I will pray that little caleb will heal ul really soon and that your mama heart will have some rest and peace in the Lord..... remember to 'cast your burdens on the Lord and HE WILL sustain thee!"

Blessings,
gloria

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10:32 PM, Friday, February 29, 2008 .. Posted by andijeane

Thanks for keeping us updated, Jacque. I'm praying that Caleb returns to full health quickly.

Andrea

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10:07 PM, Sunday, March 2, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

He is so precious! Father touch this little one where deep calls to deep and fill Him with your healing touch. Give Him peace and comfort so all is well. In Jesus' Holy Name! Lovingly, rilda

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6:52 PM, Tuesday, March 4, 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

I hope your precious little one is feeling better. That is so much stress for a mama. May you find strength in the Lord's grace.

Peace to you,
Renae
http://reflective.homeschooljournal.net