Dan Gould

Tag: Sick Kids

  • Jackson Update

    Well the blog has been quiet for the last couple of days due to Jackson having another seizure.  This one was scary in the sense that he stopped breathing and started changing colors.  Because of this, we called 911 and the ambulance arrived 5 minutes later.  This was much different from the 20 minute wait we had the last time we called 911 in November.  They loaded Jackson up for the Hospital and after a short stay at Centennials ER, we were released with a prescription for Bronchitis and instructions to control his fever.

    However, I have to say that we were really disappointed with the nurse that we had.  This was the second time we have had her and both times we feel like we get poor care.  Not that we are needy, but come on, at least a smile and show some friendliness.  This  isn’t to much to ask for is it?  Or, how about turning off our beeping monitor.  I don’t understand why they have it hooked up if when it goes off no-one even seems to check it!   I know they heard it, we were right outside the nurses station.  Anyhow, sorry for the rant, it only got worse later.

    We were released at 1:00 am on Friday morning with no new answers.  I had to ask the nurse to take his temperature before we left because Stephanie and I both thought Jackson felt warm.   His temperature was normal and she said we could offset giving him Tylenol and Motrin  every 2 hours.  So we gave him a dose of Tylenol in the car on the way home.

    When we got home his fever had gone back up to 101.4.  We knew we were in the danger zone but could only wait it out until we could give him a dose of Motrin at 2:45ish.  Well, we didn’t make it that far.  Jackson had another seizure exactly like the first one that evening.  This time we didn’t call 911.  We waited out the seizure and I called Centennial to tell them what had just happen.  As I was telling the lady on the phone I asked if we should come back in and she told me that she can’t make that decision for us or recommend that either. Basically she couldn’t give us any advice.   She informed me that the doctor we had seen had already gone hoe for the night, and if we chose to come back in the new doctor would have to reevaluate him.  I was shocked, mad, and disappointed that this is all the help they would offer.

    So,we choose to stay home and watch Jackson like a hawk.  In a short time we got his fever under control and then tried to get as much sleep as we could.  Later Friday morning Jackson saw our Neurologist who has now given us liquid Valium to give him if he starts getting a fever.  Everything seemed to be going  good, until this morning.

    As I was teaching during our MS Service, Jackson’s pager went off.  Stephanie ran from the Student Center to Son City all to find that Jackson had a little fever.  As a dad, I was stuck.  I didn’t know what was going on with Jackson, and was in the middle of the talk.  Needless to say my heart went to my stomach immediately.  We stopped what we were doing, payed for Jackson and tried to continue with the lesson.  I figured if it was serious someone would be coming soon to get me.  About 5 minutes later I got a thumbs up from one of our volunteers who had gone down to check on the situation while I was teaching.  Thankfully it was not an emergency!  But definitely a day and weekend I will never forget.

    I personally want to thank all the people that have loved on us, encouraged us, and prayer for us.  We are so blessed to have each of you in our life and thank God daily for you.  Every time we look at Jackson, we see the power of prayer, and we are reminded of how much people care and are willing to invest in out little family.  So with that, I say thank you!!!!

  • Jackson Update #8 from Home

    Jackson is doing much better.  He is still congested and coughs but is now eating and playing like normal.  Stephanie and I are still uneasy at night when it’s time for bed.  Jackson coughs more and has a hard time spitting it out or swallowing the mucus. (I know that’s gross) However, I do believe we have made the turn to recovery.

    On another note, our neurologist has increased is medication.  We are in the process of switching from depakote to keppra.  Stephanie and I feel that the levels of these 2 meds were too low and that’s why he had a seizure on Saturday.  Hopefully we will get those levels balanced and not have as many seizures.  That’s the whole point of switching medication.  Please pray with us in this direction.

    Thanks so much for the prayers and taking this journey with us.  I will keep you posted if things get worse!

  • Jackson Update #7 from Home

    We are glad to be home with Jackson, but I must admit last night I was questioning whether we made the right decision to come home or not.  Jackson is really congested.  He now has mucus in his nose that has to be suctioned several times throughout the day.  He has been so couped up for the last couple of days that he runs around the house like a wild man even though you can tell he doesn’t feel good.  I couldn’t imagine trying to contain or entertain him like this in the Hospital.

    We had a scare last night when he got a little choked up from the mucus right before we were going to bed.  He tried to cough it out but couldn’t.  I think he swallowed most of it, you could tell he was scared by the look on his face.  The good news is after that, the night went pretty good.  In fact, Jackson is still sleeping now, praise Jesus.

    We will keep you posted on how he is doing.  I am hoping today is a turning point like Tuesday was.  Thanks again for all the prayers and support you have shown us and Jackson!

  • Jackson Update #6 from HOME!

    We are home!!!!  But . . . Not out of the dark.  Jackson has RSV and is really congested.  The doctors told us we could stay another night, and they would watch him and suction his nose, or we could suction his nose at home on our own.  Since he didn’t need O2 or an IV anymore and because he was taking fluids, we were free to make the decision.  So here we are, at home doing the thing he hates, sucking the snot out of his nose.  Please continue to pray for a speedy recovery!!!

    Stephanie and I are excited to sleep in our own bed tonight but I’m sure we will be sleeping with one eye open to make sure Jackson is okay!

  • Jackson Update #5 Childrens Medical Dallas

    Jackson had a better day yesterday and a good night last night.  They have taken him off of his O2 and IV and he hasn’t had a fever since late yesterday morning either! So the countdown is on for our release.  He is drinking well but not eating solids to well, so I don’t know if that will keep us here or not.  So we are praying that he eats so we can go home!!!!

    Stephanie and I have conquered the pull out chair we are shutting our eyes on.  It’s not really sleep since we wake up with Jackson and nurses several times a night.

  • Our Healer

    I know the writer of this song faked his illness, but this song ministers to my heart every time I hear it.  It really has become an anthem that I sing, to myself, every time Jackson gets sick.  The words are so powerful and expresses so much of the things we feel and pray for Jackson.  But it reminds us of where our hope and healing lies!!!

  • Jackson Update #4 from Childrens Medical Dallas

    We made it through the night after a scary beginning.  Jackson fever spiked to 103 at about 8:30 and took awhile to come down.  Early this morning the nurse put him on an IV drip because he didn’t eat or drink much yesterday or last night.  The good news (drum role please) is his fever has finally dropped!!!  Our goal today is for him to take in fluids on his own so he doesn’t need the IV, and to get off of the Oxygen by maintaining a good level!

    Right now he is sleeping.  Seems to be sleeping ok but everything is still hooked up to him.  We will have to wait and see how he responds without those things.  We are still waiting on the swab test they took yesterday to see if he picked up a virus.

    Stephanie and I are very tired!  Personally, I feel like I have been hit by a bus, a big bus at that.  We are trying to get sleep when Jackson sleeps at night.  Last night I think everyone got about 5-6 hours since Jackson slept for that long without waking up.  Lucky for us Stephanie’s mom came to town and is watching Josiah.

    Thanks for all the prayers and please continue to pray for us!

  • Jackson Update #2 from Childrens Medical Dallas

    Update, Jackson is in a regular room now, things looked like they were getting better last night, until about 11:00pm when he started having some difficulty breathing and they put him back on O2.  We were hoping to go home today but have been told we can’t leave until Jackson is eating on his own (which he is not doing), off of O2, and has been monitored in both a day and night setting.

    Today, he acts like he is sick.  He wants to be held all the time, which is not like Jackson, and his eyes are red and puffy.  His stomach seems to be bloated, it’s really stiff, from what we think to be air.  But we are not doctors just parents.  They are getting ready to suction his nose right now.  The nurse agrees that Jackson looks worse today than yesterday.  So I don’t exactly know what that means yet.  I guess we will see how the day goes . . . kinda scary to be honest!

    We continue to pray for God’s healing, strength, perseverance for ourselves, and wisdom for the doctors!  We are so thankful for friends and family!

  • Jackson ICU update

    As many of you know at the conclusion of the Grace Fusion Bowl during the Chili Challenge, Jackson had a seizure while at church.  His seizure only lasted a bout 5 minutes but his eyes didn’t look normal.  We took him to to the ER at Children’s Medical Center Plano.  While there, Jackson had another seizure.  This happened while they were poking him trying to get blood.  They poked several times, very frustrating when they turn your child into a pin cushion.   After about 2-3 hour in the ER with several nurses attending him they transported us to the ICU at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.  I guess seizure + croup = ICU

    We have made it through the night, Jackson is still fighting a fever, up and down, up and down.  His room is a refrigerator.  The attendant says that Jackson will be moved to his own room this afternoon.  We will be here at least another 24 to make sure he transitions to oral meds ok.

    Both Stephanie and I are tiered from the fun football tournament yesterday.  We have one champion in the family.  Stephs team took first place in the girls division.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get the luxury of sleeping in our own bed, Stephanie, got the luxury of sleeping on the fold out chair in his room and I got the not so awesome recliner in the waiting room.

    Thanks for all the prayers and texts.  It really speaks to our heart and is so encouraging to read the words and see the support.  Things like this make you feel isolated and lonely, something the enemy takes pleasure in.  However, seeing these just reminds us of Gods love and Faithfulness to us.

    I will update my twitter (check the side bar for updates, or follow me as a friend) and facebook more often than this blog so check there so you can know how to pray as things arise!

  • Pneumonia Again and a Blast from the Past

    That’s right Jackson now has pneumonia for the 3rd time this year.  Luckily we caught it before it got to bad and needed to be in the hospital.  He seems to be doing better already.  We picked up a battery operated nose aspirator from Wal-Mart yesterday and it has been amazing so far.  However, it is gross when the clear cup fills up with green snot after sucking a kids nostril.

    On another note, while working on my talk for this weekend, I had a music shuffle going on through itunes and came across a song that believe it or not, played a huge role in my transformation at age 18.  Music has a powerful way to influence us whether we want to admit it or not.  I found a video on youtube with the song.  Listen and Enjoy! (Warning, it is a rap song, so don’t hurt yourself bobbin you head or waving your arms in the air like ya just don’t care!)