Carter...the whole story

For my sake, so I don't forget all the wonderful things that have happened over the last few days, along with a little speed bump thrown at us...this is how Carter ended up at Valley Children's...and all the blessings that have come with it.

Saturday and Sunday of last week, Carter was acting fairly tired. He had been late, so I figured it was lack of sleep. But it got worse on Tuesday and by Wednesday, he was practically a zombie. By the time I could take him to the doctor, the office was closed. We got him in Thursday morning. The doctor found two ear infections and gave us a prescription for an antibiotic. He told me to bring him back on Monday if he wasn't feeling well. I suggested that perhaps there was something more wrong than an ear infection since he had never mentioned his ears were bothering him. The doctor really thought we should just give him a few days and see how he did. I almost gave in, but that something inside me...call it mother's intuition or inspiration...I requested he ask for some blood tests just to make sure. Thankfully, he respected my wishes and agreed to order tests. We did the labs and then I took Carter to In 'n Out because he looked so horrible, I thought he would enjoy a treat. I also got him a nice big sugary soda to perk him up...

At about 3:00 that afternoon, the pediatrician called to let me know that his blood sugar had come back high (400's) and I should take him to Children's hospital immediately. Uh...what? I made arrangements for the kids (thnk you Kari and Elizabeth!) and headed off with Carter to the ER. I've never been there before but it was packed with kids coughing and runny noses and SICK people. Thankfully, the doctor called to let them know we were coming and they fast tracked us right through the ER and before we knew it Carter was being seen by a doctor. He was so lathargic by this point he could barely talk and walking was at the speed of a turtle. (That might have had something to do with the fact that his blood sugar was now 778 due to the sugary drink I got him few hours before). The doctor picked up on his symptoms immediately, ran some very quick tests and quickly hooked him up to about a billon machines and tubes. I didn't realize how sick he was at this point...until the doctor said he would be going to the ICU. My second uh..what? for the day.

Long story short...the poor kid got worse before he got better. They wouldn't let him eat or drink (though I may have snuck him some water everytime they left the room). Our Bishop came up and he and Rick gave Carter a blessing. His body responded to the treatment well. They were able to move him out of the ER and up to the PICU by about midnight. I think that was the worst night of my life...They poked his poor fingers every 1/2 hour to hour ALL NIGHT LONG. It was miserable...vitals, more blood, lights on and off, noise. Nobody slept that night. They wouldn't feed him or let him drink (again, few sips here and there from me). HE spent the ENTIRE next day just begging for food..any food at all. It didn't happen until about 9:00 PM so you can imagine his mood all day...now here comes the good part.

Our friends Kari and Rob came up to visit Carter on Friday morning. Rob happens to be Carter's principal also and they brought lots of fun with them...cards from Carter's entire class, a video made by Rob and Bella with Rob's iphone that was HILLARIOUS! with well wishes from teachers, staff, and kids. They also brought books that the librarian donated for Carter. What a great school! Kari had the kids at her house write little cards for Carter too and they were seriously funny! Kids are so awesome. Carter even cracked a smile!

Friday was a very long day but I feel so grateful to the fabulous nurses and doctors who took good care of Carter and bugged the doctor until she finally let Carter eat. I'm grateful to Kari and Elizabeth and Aimee for keeping our kids (even overnight). They even found clothes for them to wear and got them off to school! How great is that? And the best part is that I didn't have to worry about them...I knew they were fine. Carter had a rough time with the whole concept of shots before you get to eat and constant finger poking, but he has been a champ. He has been cooperative and really hasn't complained at all.

Speaking of other children...it has been a blessing, as a parent, to watch Jake and Bella and their sincere concern and love for Carter. Jake and Bella both melted into a pile of tears when I saw them the first time after this craziness began. They were so worried about him. Rick brought the kids up Saturday morning to see Carter and the relief on their faces was almost tangible. They had lots of questions for him. Jake made him a sweet newspaper sword to hit the doctors and nurses with next time they came to poke him. They wanted to stay and be with him as long as they could. All the way home, Jake kept saying how glad he was that Carter was getting better and how awful he felt that he was going to have to get shots. Tonight, Jake asked me while we were at the grocery store if he could buy Carter a diet soda with his own money. How cute is that? He hoards his money like no one else and he wanted to spend whatever it cost on him. I asked Jake to pack some clothes for Carter to wear and pajamas for him and he packed his own pants and pajamas because he thought they would be the most comfortable for him. As I put them to bed tonight (Rick's on hospital duty tonight and I'm home) they both kept asking what time in the morning we could go back and see him and Jake broke down in tears during his prayers (which were all about Carter).

Carter is now doing fabulous. He is understanding more the concept of planning what he's going to eat and getting the right amount of insulin to go with it. He has been very cooperative and hasn't complained hardly at all. He has had a big smile plastered on his face since they took all the i.v. tubes out and he can walk wherever he wants. He really likes to wander around the hospital (with Rick or I, of course). It's a huge place and it's like a maze. He gets to order whatever he wants for his meals...tonight he ordered pizza, chicken noodle soup, chicken nuggets, fish sticks, chef salad and a diet soda. Even the nurse was laughing as he brought in Carter's huge plate. Of course, he didn't eat it all, but after starving for 36 hours, he wants to make certain he doesn't go hungry again. It is really funny to watch him get all excited about food.

HOpefully he will only be there a couple more days as they teach Rick and I all about this stuff...In the meantime, I haven't had to worry about anything. Though both our families are far away, we have spent a lot of time on the phone with our parents and siblings calling to check on Carter. It is a comfort to know they are all pulling for us. We have snacks at the hospital (thanks Kari) as well as all kinds of entertainment (i.pod movies, ds games, and books). We have had the kids taken care of by great friends...Malia thinks she lives at Elizabeth's now...The school nurse called and we talked about how to work with this at school. The house hs stayed fairly clean because nobody has been here! One or both of us have been able to be with Carter at all times. I've actually really enjoyed the one on one time with Carter. We have played lots of card games, read, watched movies, played on the computer, and carter's favorite...snuggled. He gets us all to himself and he is loving it. ON more than one occasion, he has said something about liking this "hotel." He's already forgotten the horror that was his first 24 hours there...There are so many things I am grateful for right now...but it all started with what I know was inspiration. I very easily could have left Carter's doctor's office with a prescription for antibiotics and he could've gotten much much sicker in the next couple of days. But, that little voice inside would not be quiet and I knew there was something else wrong. I am so grateful for inspiration. That's what it is...those moments when the Lord tells us how to take care of the children he has loaned us.

Anyone who knows Carter knows that he lives to snuggle with me. It took a good 48 hours before Carter was in the mood to snuggle again. I offered several times and he was just too sick to care. I have never been so happy to have him glued to my side again. Now to get him home and make our adjustments.