Forgetting February

Well, it seems I've managed exactly 1 post so for in 2011. And January's post was even done at the beginning of February. I would have to say that I didn't post anything last month due to the fact that we were pretty busy. With horrible stuff. February is a month I try to forget. However, I'm trying to really have a new attitude about it all. There are a lot worse things going on out in the world than in our small one.

Feb. 2nd I took Owen to the dr because he just seemed to keep getting a cold off and on since December. He'd have it for a week, then be fine, then get it again, then be fine again. He got a fever for a couple days so I took him in. They checked everything and said he was just congested, no big deal unless the fever came back...it didn't. Then he finally seemed 100% for the first time in a couple months. On Feb. 15th we went to work/preschool and while I was working he started to get a runny nose, cough, and low fever. All slowly throughout the morning, one thing after another. Then the afternoon brought on some labored breathing. The breathing kept getting worse and I just knew it wasn't normal. I kept debating whether or not to take him to urgent care/ER. Paul talked me into just getting through the night and see the dr the next day. I cried and cried, but did it as I slept with Owen on the couch all night.

The next day, the 16th, exactly 2 weeks from his last appt we were back at the dr's office. The nurse took his oxygen level as usual and sent the dr in right away. No waiting. He was at 91% and you're supposed to be at least 95. We were sent straight to the ER because he wasn't getting enough oxygen, but oh he also had pneumonia. At the ER we were sent straight back as well after they got his oxygen reading. No waiting there either. It was awful, he screamed and cried as they put oxygen mask on him, swabbed his nose for RSV and flu, gave him an IV. By the end he was worn out.

In ER after first round of breathing treatments and other meds.

Morning after night in ER, he loved to play with the movable TV.
(And he also got his pacifier whenever he wanted, which has been limited to bedtime,
so I'm sure that made him happy too.)

He was diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, along with bronchitis which was so bad that it was causing him not to get enough oxygen. The hospital was so busy, we slept one whole night in the ER before we were moved to a room on the Peds floor. He got breathing treatments, along with some pounding on his chest to loosen things up, every 4 hours round the clock and IV antibiotics every 24 hrs. They said we would be there until he could keep his stats up on his own for 24 hrs without the help of the oxygen. Owen was in the hospital until Sunday morning. It was a long 5 days/4 nights.

Despite being stuck in a bed because of being tied up to oxygen, IV, and monitors Owen was a trooper. He enjoyed eating very healthy choices like french fries and ice cream. What a stinker!

They had some toys that helped!


Having REAL fun being off oxygen!


First night back at home, in his own bed!

This month Paul's company also changed to a new insurance company starting Feb. 1st (which we can't afford to pay for because it takes about $700 out of our monthly income, but we're sticking with it until we can get something else). We hadn't received our cards or basically anything to prove that we had insurance. So, we were having to pay for appts up front and trying to get everything worked out. This certainly didn't help with the stress levels. I have a love-hate relationship with health insurance. And unfortunately, things only look to be getting worse in that department. We got our cards on Feb. 28th--yes, when it started on the 1st!!! We submitted all our stuff and it got worked out. Now the bills are rolling in....blah. But of course you can't put a price on getting your child healthy, we'll just be adding another monthly payment to our list. While we were so scared during all this, I am grateful that everyone was so wonderful at Mercy Gilbert. It was right up there on our Top 5 Scariest Parent Moments. But I really had to think of all the people I've known who've had children go through MUCH worse. I pulled my strength from their experiences, knowing that ours--while of course scary--was a pretty small bump in the road.

Meanwhile, way back in the beginning of the month Paul's mom was also having her mastectomy. Everything with the surgery went well and her recovery has been good too. But it was just an awfully scary thing to be thinking about going on, obviously the whole breast cancer thing has been. She is currently cancer free and in the middle of her radiation treatments. Her hair is also starting to grow back! This past week's treatments have really slowed her down a bit, but she always has a smile on her face. We're so blessed to have such a strong woman in our lives. We all love our Oma and keep praying for her health.

Paul had gotten some free NASCAR tickets to the race on the 27th. This was great because we can't afford to do stuff like this much, especially with how our February was going. We left the kiddos with Paul's family and enjoyed great weather at the race. It was fun to relax and (try) not to think about all the stuff going on.

That was taken before we got to Paul's truck after the race was over. His tailgate got stolen. Yes, the tailgate. Such a lame thing! We were so frustrated, mad, and really just beaten down. This was the final kick in the stomach from February. BUT at least everything else was fine. We had tires, none of his tools or tool box were taken, we were able to drive home. Paul still hates seeing his truck without one, but until we have an extra $300+ lying around, not sure when we'll be able to get another one.

So, you can see why we might want to forget February. Of course now I can look back and realize that we've made it through and we're still here. We have our family and our basic necessities, and when it comes down to it, isn't that all you need. Well, and of course love. We have plenty of that too!