Days 8 & 9 Riding the 'Coaster

Vivie's little rollercoaster that she apparently is riding has gotten more wild & twisty. She had a really rough night...AGAIN. I woke up in the middle of the night a dozen times frustrated that we are going on day 8 and she still seems to be spiraling down, improving a little, then stepping back again. The insurance company also wants to know WHY we are still here with no end in sight. We have had great care overall and the Hospitalists have been some of the best physicans I've ever worked with. Back to my middle-of-the night awakening. I sat straight up on my oh-so-delightful bedchair and thought to myself....it's pneumonia. That's what's going on...and we're all missing it. So I told the RT and she agreed.

So today has been a day of x-ray, blood-draws, and actually a catheter to rule out UTI. This photo is of her x-ray. I was halff laughing because--what a sight for sore eyes! My poor baby in a twisted straight-jacket! She's starting an IV antiobiotic and I have a massive headache so I'm sure hers is about to burst...along with all the other body aches from being poked and proded. Oh, and it's snowing outside...in almost April in Tacoma, WA. I REALLY miss my San Diego! Our room is freezing cold because the heater is from circa 1970 and decided not to work very well about the day we were admitted. It's either switch to a shared room, or add another blankie and some slippers and call it good. Yesterday passed quickly as I crocheted a beanie and matching Mary Janes for my Vivs---you can guess which option we chose. I WON'T do shared rooms--after last month's experience and especially since now we're apparently Tacoma residents.

The 'talk' is that we'll be here for another 4-5 days with the pneumonia. W-O-W. That's almost 2 weeks in the hospital 1200 miles away from my other babies. Thank you to sweet Tallie for homemade dinners & treats, warm clothes, her open shoulder & ear, and to dear Helen (Tal's old counselor & the new RS Pres) for the good reads and other treats Tallie had her bring my way. And of course, to Marky for all he's done in between his flights. We're exploring taking an 'angel flight' back home due to our crazy circumstances. The biggest concern for me is Vivie's immunodeficiency and how awful it would be to take her on a commercial flight and make her more susceptable to all the other nasty diseases & illnesses lurking around the airport/airplane. Not to mention that every flight anywhere near So. Cal is oversold on every airline due to spring break in WA. We'll see how that pans out.

And now it's Friday morning...didn't press 'publish post' and Vivie had a hospital 'first' last night. She had a GREAT night. Her antibiotic course started yesterday and she seems to have turned that sharp corner and is on the mend. It helps that I slept pretty much most of the night so hooray! And the scenery outside looks like Christmas. Is it really almost April? Astounding amounts of snow--during spring in Western Washington...go figure. Can't wait to post my many pictures of this crazy hospital experience.