Sunday, May 3, 2009

What is PICU?

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Primary Children's Medical Center. Why do I care? Because that is where I am right now. Here's the story: Friday at 3:30 p.m., I am just chatting with some co-workers after a faculty meeting and my cell phone rings. It is Taun so I answer because I was interested to find out how the boys were doing (Alex was quite sick Friday morning, vomiting and really lethargic, so Taun stayed home with them). I answer the phone, and Taun says, "They are taking Alex to the hospital in an ambulance again." I run to my classroom as fast as my pregnant body will move and then to my truck and speed home. I was almost hyperventilating when I got home. I saw the ambulances and police cars at my house. I get in the ambulance and ride to the hospital. Alex had another seizure. He started playing; so Taun thought he was getting better. He laid down and shortly after let a blood curdling scream, tightened up, started shaking, his eyes were rolled back and he appeared to stop breathing. Taun called 911 and they took him to the hospital. We were in the ER for about 5 hours while they ran all the tests and x-rays (chest x-ray, blood work, rsv test--big tube shoved down nose, squirt stuff in and suck it back out). Everything looked normal so they released us (about 8:00 p.m.) and we went to get Benjamin from JeriDawn's house. Taun went in to get Benjamin, and I stayed in the car with Alex. About 6-7 minutes later I hear the same blood curdling scream, and I look back to see my baby tight and shaking with his eyes rolled back. Again, he appeared to not be breathing. I jump out of the car and scream for Taun. JeriDawn calls 911 and they Ambulance takes him back to the hospital.

The hospital kept him overnight. He started having seizures again at 4:00 AM. By his time, Logan Regional Hospital decided to transfer him to Primary Children's. He continued to have seizures every 40 minutes, in the ambulance on the way to SLC. By the time we reached Primary Children's he was having seizures every 10 minutes or so. He was given two or three different anti-seizure meds and taken to have a CAT scan. It revealed nothing was majorly wrong with his brain.

It is Sunday night and thus far he has gone through a lumbar puncture, E.C.G, MRI and continuous blood tests. He is a little more alert and not having seizures. By tomorrow he should be out of the PICU into a room in neurology.

10 comments:

Tandi Davis said...

Oh Shannon I am so sorry! I absolutely feel for you and what you are going through. (I've watched Halli have a seizure--it's the worst thing EVER.) We are thinking of you and praying for little Alex. We love you!!!

Kristi said...

Shannon, we love you. You guys are in our prayers, thoughts and hearts. I've never experienced a seizure, but Cougar did stop breathing and his heart stopped beating, I know ICUs and I'll tell you one thing. We are NEVER tried beyond what we can bear. I know it seems like you're going to fall apart if one more thing happens, but you'll make it and you'll be stronger for it. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. I'm available at any time.

Carrie said...

Love you Shanny! We are praying for Alex and your sweet family. Wish we were closer!

Picture Perfect said...

I'm sooo sorry! I hope they can give you some real answers soon! Congrats on your new one coming!

Lindsay said...

I am sorry to hear that....We are praying for your family!!!

Katherine said...

Oh man I am so sorry. That must be horrable! I hope you get some answers soon. Keep us posted.

katie b said...

Shanny, I am so sorry for your little Alex. I can empathize with you on the hospital stay. No Fun! I hope that the doctors can figure everything out and that Alex will feel better soon. Hang in there! We love you and are praying for your little family.

Tiffany said...

Oh my gosh, that is horrible! I hope they find out what's wrong, and that he'll be alright.

Nancy said...

No! This is not what I wanted to read about, and certainly not what you wanted to report. I'll pray for you and I hope you can figure out what's going on soon so your boy can feel good all the time!

Canuck said...

Taun and Shannon, Parenting is definitely not for the weak! Our prayers are with you and for little Alex. Continue to be strong, and know that your family loves you! We enjoyed visiting with you in Idaho, even though it was a short one. Is there anything we can do to help?