I'm Really Struggling

It should have been a really happy week with Phoebe turning 30yrs of age on Monday. We both hope you had a happy day despite the stress you are under, let's hope this year becomes very special for you.
xoxox


Instead, Austin(b.21/12/11) has been in the Ottawa Chn's Hospital since last Saturday with severe a respiratory virus...here are Gerry's words from yesterday...Austin was moved into the ICU Unit....

"Poor little guy's really struggling to breathe now, hardly drinks at all, losing weight and losing complexion; you can see he's exhausted :( Doctor came in to see him and said he wasn't looking good: ya think?! So she ordered an IV to get him hydrated and blood work, urine sample (which means catheter) and a brain fluid sample to make sure we're just dealing with the RSV gettin worst and not an additional infection or other hidden problem. So the poor little guy, much to Shawna's dismay and near horror, spent a couple hours getting poked and prodded with needles and tubes while all this happened... Unfortunately, I couldn't get a replacement for me at work so booking off might've caused more trouble than I care to deal with, otherwise I'd gladly be there thru the night for Shawna and Austin... At least Austin's sleeping now. He rally was exhausted. It's really sad to see him struggling so hard just to breathe - keep hoping he can stay strong and doesn't get too tired or too weak for the effort it takes him to breathe :(
Funny how 4 days on 4 hours sleep doesn't matter to me right now: I just wanna be there for my son. Hoping he can somehow feed off of my strength to keep going, to make it thru this."

This was Gerry's text message 8 hours ago...

update: he hasn't reached the worst of it yet n he's already getting too tired n weak to keep going so doctors will put a tub down his throat along with the CPAP to basically give him artifical breathingand they will sedate him for 36 to 48 hours to let him rest a little bit of strength while he goes thru the worst of the virus which is estimated to be in the next two days :( SENT AT 1:13pm

Please keep Austin and his parents in your thoughts and prayers.

On the same day, Priscilla had to drive to Toronto (6hrs each way) to a 10am appt believing she was going to be told she has Gorlin's Syndrome. The truth is jaw-dropping, she actually has a children's cancer, a neuroblastoma which is the same type of cancer that young Cassie(4) has just been treated for over the last 2 years. Cassie is a distant cousin of Joe's. Looks like chemotherapy will be the preferred treatment and a meeting will be organised in Ottawa which is so much better than travelling to Toronto. The x-rays Priss had 2 weeks ago weren't conclusive to Gorlin's Syndrome so she will have blood tests too. She was also told she needs home help around the clock from now on. 

Life certainly takes quick turns at times, doesn't it?


Will be back when I have more news or have settled a little...it sure doesn't feel like the time for recipes and chit-chat.


Hope your week is going much better,
Love from Sue
xoxoxo