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Friday, January 2, 2009

Not AGAIN!

Life is just full of twists and turns. The past two years have sure kept me spinning. Just when I think things are going great, life takes another turn for the worse.
It all started on Monday the 22nd. Bradyn was sick with the tummy bug, but by that evening he ate a little and felt like playing on the bed (his usual night time ritual). The next day he was not feeling great, but I was certain he was getting better. On Wednesday we went to Grammy and Grandpa's to have Christmas with the Haberthur's. He enjoyed the kids and was still not 100%, but again I was not alarmed. On Christmas day he was pretty fussy and I was not able to get him to eat. He acted like it hurt when I gave him fluid in his feeding tube. We tried to give him small amounts throughout the day so he would stay hydrated. Around 2:00 he started throwing up again so I called the Dr. They wanted us to bring him in to Northwest for an IV since he was probably dehydrated. Bradyn's takes seizure medicine 3 times a day and it is very hard on his liver. He must stay hydrated or his liver could be damaged. So we packed up and headed to Amarillo. Grammy and Grandpa went along for support and to keep Bradyn entertained. Thank God they came along.
We were supposed to come home the next day, but you know how hospitals are. They did not get orders written in time so we were to stay another night and make sure Bradyn was not going to be sick again. The nurse brought in Bradyn's night time medications and I immediately noticed that one of them did not look right. I told her that I thought it was wrong and she assured me that the pharmacist had diluted it and that it was right. Within a matter of minutes Bradyn was jerking and screaming. I knew that he had an overdose. I told them that I thought he had gotten too much medicine and again, the Dr. said that if it was an overdose that he would be very sleepy. She thought that Bradyn was screaming because he was having tummy cramps. Bradyn had a horrible night, jerking and screaming throughout the night. He would not lay down without screaming and jerking so we took turns holding him all night long.
His heart rate was dropping VERY low and we were getting scared. The nurses could not figure out what was going on. Bradyn was so drugged he could barely open his eyes. FINALLY at about 3:00, after I again insisted that there was an overdose, the day nurse said she would do some checking. SURE ENOUGH I WAS RIGHT. Bradyn had gotten 10 times too much medicine. The Doctors were very angry with the pharmacist and they were in the hall speaking back and forth pretty loudly. The pharmacist finally apologized to the Dr., not to us or to Bradyn. By that time we were able to get Bradyn to wake up a little. His heart rate came up that night and by the next morning he was fine.
I felt like we were in the NICU all over again. We did not know what was wrong and why his heart rate was so low. We were so scared and felt so helpless. We are still recovering from our Christmas vacation. I told mom at least it felt like we all got an extra long Christmas break!

Bradyn's IV. They really hurt in the foot. He always cries when they have to go there.
Thank goodness Grandpa was along to keep Bradyn happy.

Our family Christmas picture!

Bradyn did get to open a present. It was Elmo live. He is not too sure of Elmo yet.

Daddy had him laughing by the last day.






3 comments:

Grammy said...

Oh my--I keep reliving that night
in my mind and I still can't believe what our little guy had to
endure. He is such a little trooper--always has been and I thank God for that everyday. The
common everyday childhood illnesses
are not so common for Bradyn. I'm
so glad he's better now and that we
have each other to help get through
all these times. I love you. Grammy

Chassidy said...

Oh Kaci- my heart breaks for you. You are such an amazing mother...your bravery is so remarkable and one of a kind. I will continue to pray for your sweet little boy. I'm so glad you're home. Bradyn is so blessed to have you as a mommy.

Aunt CC said...

Kaci, we all heard the news when you left for the hospital---I'm so glad to hear Bradyn is feeling much better! You amaze me with your strength and love as a mother:) Hope your family has a blessed new year.
Crystal