November 2009

November was all about Kendall and the true meaning of being Thankful. I have told most of you who read this her story through email, mail, or on the phone so I'll keep it short. She told me she didn't feel good on the night of the 1st so I put her to bed with some Motrin and was hoping it wasn't the Swine Flu. The next morning she woke up burning up so I took her in. The doctor we saw said he couldn't confirm it was H1N1 but to just keep taking the Motrin and wait and see for a few days. She wasn't getting any better so by Friday of that week I had her back in the office. Her doctor was able to see us and had me take her directly to the hospital after viewing her X-Ray. At this point we new she had a bad case of pneumonia we now just need to find out what kind. Her doctor followed us over there and didn't like the progress or her blood work so Kendall was airlifted with Matt to Arkansas Children's Hospital, normally a 3 1/2 hr ride in a car. Luckily he got to stay with her for the ride and they made it in 1 hour. We were there for 10 more days. It was an up and down ride for our family but luckily we had help. We had friends who watch the other 2 kids on the first day until my dad could get here as well as care for our dog the whole time we were gone. My parents and Matt's Mom all took their turns and watched the other 2 kids while Matt and I traded off at the hospital.

The Ronald McDonald house was full but we were lucky to find a extended type hotel that the rest of the family could relax in while Matt and I took turns at the hospital. Jayden and Carson new all the staff by name when we left.

It was never confirmed, after 3 different tests, if it was the Swine Flu but the at least identified that it was a severe case of bacterial strep pneumonia and the rehab begin from there. She had to be on a lot of medicine and do breathing treatments every 4 hours for many of the days in the beginning. As she progressed they backed it down but she was always have to blow bubbles or use this "toy" they gave her to make noise.

It was a blessing for us that she was at a children's hospital because it made her time there a little easier. They had a wonderful playroom that she could go to once she was better and do all sorts of crafts, listen to story time or just play. It helped take her mind off all the pokes and various interruptions for treatments or exams.

The last few days she was there were probably the scariest for us. She was out of ICU but still not progressing like they wanted and there was talk of having to drain her lung. A surgery that would have set her progress back. In the end they decided to take the more "wait and see" type of approach and she was able to come home just before Thanksgiving.

We had a wonderful team of doctors who made sure we were taking care in more ways than just Kendall's health. The woman with the red hair was her Pediatrician and the point person for us but she also had a Infectious Disease doctor and a team of surgeons who inserted her PICC line and decided not to drain her lung. We are so thankful for the care they gave Kendall and the over all kindness they showed our family.
After 11 days of total hospital time, both in Bentonville and Little Rock, she got to see Jayden and Carson. It was a moment none of us will ever forget.She had to continue with her IV medicine at home through her PICC line for a while so I got really good at playing nurse. Luckily I had a real nurse here everyday to check her and watch over my care. Carson and Jayden even got used to all the stuff we had to do that they started playing doctor on their own.

We talked Matt's mom into staying with us for Thanksgiving so that was a good end to our month. She is all recovered now and is should have not lasting side effects. She may be more sensitive to her colds going straight into her lungs but nothing we really have to worry about for a lifetime. We are so lucky and thankful to have made it through such a tough time with prayer and thoughts from family and friends.