Between a shunt and a hard place.

As usual, we can plan, but we can't promise. This Tuesday, Meghan woke up acting pretty much herself (which lately, is a little on the feisty side). During her morning tube feeding she began vomiting- not totally out of the ordinary with a tube fed child, so it didn't worry me too much. However, over the next hour, she became lethargic, irritable, and continued vomiting. We have known for a few months that she has fluid behind her ear drums, so I thought maybe she had developed and ear infection and this was her way of telling me. I had to head to work, so after a quick call to the pediatrician Daddy packed her up and took her in. Our doc checked her out, and not finding any source for infection decided that a visit to the ER was appropriate. When you have a baby with a shunt like Meghan, who begins vomiting and acting differently than normal it unfortunately is cause for concern that the shunt might not be working. Thankfully, after the ER evaluated her, it appeared that her shunt was still working, but we discovered that her white blood cells were significantly elevated and she was already dehydrated so they admitted her to the hospital.

Because of her elevated white blood cells, her primary team of doctors were concerned that her shunt may be infected, and prepared for her to have a lumbar puncture. I am so grateful for a team of specialists that know her well, and are willing to be cautious and observe her before jumping in and risk causing a potential infection where there isn't one. They agreed to wait, and so we spent the next 3 days watching and waiting. On day 3 she finally perked up, her fever broke, and we had our feisty Meghan back. She woke up asking for Addie, so after lunch her big sister got to come say hello. Addie jumped in the bed with her and gave her the best medicine possible- lots of sister snuggles and a few laughs:) Being Halloween, the play room at the hospital was having a carnival. Since Meg was still on isolation precautions, the child life specialists at the hospital came to the room with "reverse trick or treat" bags for the girls. I think Addie suspects that the hospital is mostly fun and games now...

 We're hoping for an uneventful November, since she has surgery planned in December for tubes and adenoids (finally- a "typical" surgery for Meg!), and her wheelchair should be delivered! This month, we are THANKFUL for so many things, but most of all for healing, for mercy, and for the blessing of our family. Weeks like this make you appreciate cooking, dirty dishes, laundry, and cleaning up messes- because it means you are home to do it.

Getting some snuggles. 

Perking up!

Happy to be headed HOME after a doctors appointment...

A well deserved Friday family night of ice cream and movies in front of the fire:) Chase was on stand-by in case of any accidental spills.
"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.  The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness."
Psalm 41:1-3