Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I think I spoke too soon!

My last post was on Sunday and when Monday hit, it seemed that everyone got a little worse. Caleb's fever shot up to 103.5 and Gunner started coughing uncontrollably. Great, right? Well, I took Bree to her doctor that day and come to find out, she's neutropenic! What?! Her ANC (absolute neutrophil count) was 60. It should be at least above 500 to be out of the extreme danger zone. The docs say that since she had been fighting off a cold last week combined with the chemo she received last weekend, her little body just used every last one of her "fighter" cells to stay healthy. So, they said that she'd have to have 3 more days of neupogen shots(these stimulate her body to make more "fighter" cells). Bummer! Fortunately, since she didnt have a fever, I was able to take her home instead of checking into the hospital! Horrah! But, we also were coming home to some major sicknesses, coughs and fevers. Well, that night Justin took the boys to urgent care to check for ear infections and to just rule out any major problems. Instead he was told that Caleb tested positive for strep throat and that Gunner was showing signs for it also. Of course! So, they sent them home with antibiotics. Monday night was not a fun one. We were up a lot due to Gunner's cough, also checking the boys for fevers and just worried frantic that Bree would catch what they have and send her to the hospital. The next day (Tuesday) Caleb is feeling much better (thank goodness) but Gunner keeps on coughing and coughing (literally non-stop) so I decide to call the doctor and get him seen again. We left with a diagnosis of mild asthma and 3 prescriptions for Gunner to be on breathing treatments around the clock and steroids (in the breathing machine) to calm his inflamation. He's one of those kids that the second he gets a cough, we know it's going to turn into something bad so from now on, any little cough and it's straight to the nebulizer for him!
Today (Wednesday) everyone is doing much better. Bree has somehow managed to stay healthy! This, in itself, is totally a miracle. Caleb is so much happier and feels so much better. Gunner is on the mend and Bree is still fever free! I'll take her in tomorrow to check her counts again to make sure she's on the rise. Until then, lysol wipes and soap & water are my best friends!



21 comments:

The Blakes said...

When it rains, it pours. Hopefully the worst has passed! Hang in there!

Morris Mama said...

Tabby is the same way. Every virus she gets, her little lungs magically turn it in to pneumonia or bronchitis. She is constantly on the nebulizer all winter long. Good luck!

Hot Diggity Daws said...

What is it about colds? My boys get a cough and it always seems to escalate and require breathing treatments, steroids, etc. I will pray that the cold fairy continues to skip over Bree, also that her counts will improve with the injections. She is such a beautiful baby.

Nuestra Familia said...

Good luck Kari, I hope and pray you will have a much better night tonight. And the sickness will go away, Love ya girl.

Castle Family said...

Wow! What craziness! I hope the boys get well soon and that Bree and the rest of you stay well!!!

Steph said...

I'm sorry you guys are having a rough time! There is just a lot of nasty stuff going around. But thank goodness Bree is holding out--what a miracle. We'll keep praying for her to stay healthy.

brownymama said...

I should have come down Monday night! I'm sorry. I hope Gunner does better. Koby's sick too. I'm thinking for Saturday I might leave him with Kathy and just bring the healthy kids. (: Wish I could help you more. I love ya!

The Johnson Family said...

YUCK!!! We hope everyone gets well soon. Gunner looks like a pro at the breathing treatment. Get better quick!

Lana said...

Lame! Tatum and Dane each took a week to be sick--one after the other. So, I didn't really get much done in those two weeks. After it was pretty much passed I was telling Porter that when we add this 3rd kid to the mix then I'll be house-ridden for 3 weeks instead of two!!!! Why does it all just fester in the same house and never go away!?! I really hope you guys all get on the mend so that Bree can stay healthy and you can enjoy a little bit of peace!!

EmileeandJonny said...

oh poor kids- we've been praying for you! I hope they get better soon! Sick kids are just no fun

Anonymous said...

Hey kares its kenna. just read all about the boys and bree. I can take monday off to come help. Heck I can even take tuesday off and sleep over if that would help. Ill text you.

Melody B. said...

Oh man, you guys have been through the ringer with clods, coughs and flus over there. The one household that could REALLY do without it, right? Glad to hear Bree is fighting it though. I am all too familiar with the breathing treatments...Hailey has had to have them FOREVER! Same thing, if she gets the slightest cough...we are doing breathing treatments.:P More prayers for Bree comin' your way!

Camille Phillips said...

Hey you guys! Next time call me and let me watch your kids!
I don't live very far and Jocie is always wishing for other kids to play with. No one thinks I can help because I'm pregnant:) I'm fine and would way rather help out than to see Bree get sick!!
It's so hard to have your kids so sick and not get sleep and be soooo tired! I don't know how you are coping, you are amazing people to me! I really do love your family and pray for you all the time!
Thank goodness for antibiotics! Hopefully everyone will get better soon.
PLEASE let me know if I can help.

top knot extensions said...

When will you guys get a break???!!! Kyle has asthma and always has to do the treatments. Here is my advice for what it is worth... for the longest time he did albuterol in the nebulizer but I HATE it because he gets wired and dosnt sleep!! Last week we were in the drs office and the dr told me thay came out with a new medication called Xopenex which basically is albuterol without the side effects. It has been a LIFESAVER!!! It is WAY more expensive because there innt a generic yet but it is WAY worth it!!! Good luck!!!

The Scotts said...

Wow! Good luck and I hope it is almost over. I hate this sick season!

Aimee's Family Journal said...

Oh my gosh! I am sure there will be a time in your life, where you will look back on those few days and laugh. But for now, that just sounds like a few days in HELL!! And I thought all this pregnancy throwing up was tough! You are still my hero. So I am guessing that in my prayers, I will be asking for you to be able to get some rest, and remain sane?

Good luck with your week. I would offer to help if I didn't have just one more week of this barfy haze until my csection! I am sure I wouldn't do much good in this condition, still. Hopefully prayers can suffice?

Cindy said...

Hi Kari,
My name is Cindy. Christina Hudman led me to your blog. My daughter was also diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She had her tumor removed in September, and we luckily have not had to do chemo (yet). We go back to Primary Childrens in April for her next ct scan. My biggest fear is her having to go through chemo. Reading your blog just made me cry. It is so hard seeing such a little one going through such terrible things. I had never heard of this type of cancer before she was diagnosed in August, so I just had to write you. I would love to keep in contact, if that is okay. My email is missholst@hotmail.com

Hope to hear from you-
Cindy Oleen

Brittany Williams said...

My little Breckon is the same way as Gunner. If she gets a cold I know it is going to turn into a cough and that means breathing treatments! It was good to see you yesterday! You are so cute! Hang in there, and we will keep you and your family in our prayers!

Summertime Designs said...

I am so sorry Kari!!! I guess none of your kids will feel left out for not receiving some attention from you! I hope Bree had a great party for her birthday on Saturday. Hopefully things will be on the mend soon. Love ya!

Andréa Morrow said...

Hi,my husband Brant showed me your blog, I guess he went to school with you. Anyways, I feel what you are going through..and I know how wonderful the docs are @ AZPHO..I saw you mentioned Dr. Williams :) they are the best..my daughter has been cancer free for a little over 3 years now..she's going to be 4 this month..she had AML (leukemia) we had her first few chemo treatments @ Banner. it's funny how the ones that get sick are the easiest and the sweetest..that is our Tati as well..I can tell Bree is just a sweetheart. hang in there :) we go to the Banner cancer survivor day every year..hope to see you guys there someday! visit our blog @ www.dreadog7.blogspot.com
Andrea Morrow

Kathleen said...

Hope everyone is feeling better now and that Bree never caught what the boys had. Happy Birthday to Bree today!!!