Richie the Sickey

On Saturday, October 17, Richie started running a fever. He had been coughing really bad for a couple weeks, so I made him an appointment to see the doctor at wee care the next day. On Sunday morning, I had a meeting at church that I needed to be to at 8:00am, so I left my house at 7:45am, not knowing that would be the last time I would be home in many many hours! So Rich, Carter and Alora meet me at sacrament meeting at 9:00, and we leave Richie home, sick and sleeping. His appointment was for 11:00. The plan was for Rich to take him, and I was to stay at church with the little ones, but at 10:30, I told Rich that I wanted to go with him too. He said that would be fine, but that we would have to take the little ones to the appt. and that it made more sense for just him and Richie to go. I still just had a nagging feeling that I needed to go to the doctor with Richie. So we went home and woke up Richie and the whole family went to the doctor.

When we got there, I was mostly concerned that he was going to have the swine flu. He was having all the symptoms. Also, that morning, before church, Rich and I noticed that he was having labored breathing. He was just looking very sick. So when he gets into the exam room, it turns out that he DID test positive for the H1N1 virus, and as the doctor was checking the rest of his vitals, she noticed that he was wheezing a lot in his chest. So she checked his oxygen levels and they were in the low 80's. She gave him a breathing treatment (albuterol) and put him on oxygen. After that, she checked him again, and his O2 levels had not come up. So she repeated the process of breathing treatment, oxygen and checking his O2 levels. By this point, she still could not get his O2 levels up, even with an oxygen mask on, so she ordered a chest x-ray to see what was going on. At this point, we had been at the clinic for over 2 hours and Alora and Carter were getting very antsey, so I called my sister Dayna, who came and saved the day, by coming to pick up the little ones. (Thanks Dee!) When we got the results for the chest x-ray, it came back that Richie had pneumonia as well, and things were being complicated due to his asthma. The Doctor decided that Richie needed to be admitted to the hospital via ambulance because he needed constant oxygen.

Once we got to the McKay Dee Hospital, things got worse. They could not find a mask that would give Richie enough oxygen to keep his levels up. They were treating him with 2 antibiotics and Tamiflu, but they weren't doing any good if he couldn't breathe and we couldn't clear his lungs. They were giving him breathing treatments every 1 1/2 as well as oral steroids and IV steroids. After 4 different breathing masks they settled on a re-breather mask. (the kind of oxygen mask with a bag on the bottom) He was doing OK, but even at 100% oxygen and the re-breather mask, he was barely staying in the high 80's. During the night, it got even worse, and they had to put him on a bi-pap machine that basically did his breathing for him. They told us that this was there last resort, and that if his O2 levels don't show improvement, they would be life fighting him to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake for a vent. He was on the bi-pap from 5:00am until 11:00am the next morning, when finally he was showing signs that he could handle just an oxygen mask and he would not have to got to PCMC. So they put him back on the re-breather mask at 100% O2 and that is where he stayed for day 2.

The beautiful view from our window.

Day 3 was Tuesday. This was day that he showed us signs of improvement. He got his appetite back. He was able to play some games that the hospital provided (like x box, puzzles, Lego's, sand art, painting), and he was able to get up and walk down the hall. He was still on oxygen but doing so much better.

Unfortunately, Rich ended up getting H1N1 as well. He has had to wear a mask at all times since Tuesday when he was diagnosed. At this point, we are just trying to keep the little kids from getting sick. Especially were as Carter has asthma as well, and Alora is so young. I have tried and failed to get them vaccinated for the swine flu, because the clinics are sooo full, they are just running out too soon. We just hope and pray they don't get it!

Day 4 was Wednesday. He had done a complete turn around. That morning, they were able to come in and wean him off the oxygen from 10L (100% oxygen) to 8L 2 hours later, to 6L, to 4, to 2 to 1 to .05 by that evening, then to room air. His oxygen had to stay at 90 at room air, and it did! even the doctors and nurses were AMAZED at how quickly he had made such a huge turn around. We know that it is due to the many prayers that were given on Richie's behalf this week, and the wonderful help he had in the hospital. He is a strong little guy.

He is home now and still on bed rest and medicine. He will have to take it easy for awhile. No exercise for 2 weeks and it will take about 6 weeks to fully recover, but he will bounce back just fine. Thank you to all for your love, prayer and support. We are so very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!!!