There is nothing like a hospital stay to make you appreciate the beauty of spring! Our neglected garden finally got a little care last weekend. We got some summer vegetables planted.
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On January 5th, 2011, Lily was admitted to the Phoenix Children's Hospital because she was experiencing pain in her legs and back. A week later and after what felt like a million tests, scans and biopsies, we had a diagnosis: she has a soft tissue tumor called Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. A PET scan revealed a small tumor in her foot that was not apparent from the outside; it was not until the cancer had already spread to her bone marrow that she experienced any symptoms. This came as a total shock to everyone as Lily has always been healthy, active and full of energy. We love our darling girl and her sweet, happy, loving spirit. This website is for friends and family to stay connected during this difficult time.
Showing posts with label Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hospital. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
I haven't written for a while because I have been so busy. Last week Lily was hospitalized for three days because she was running a fever and since then I have been struggling to get caught up with work, etc.
Lily's fever lasted less than a day and was low grade, so we weren't too worried. However, she did have low white blood counts that week and extreme fatigue, so we took her in right away to the doctor. The doctors at PCH follow the same protocol for all patients, which is a fever over 100.4 and low counts = hospitalization.
Lily had her first ride in an ambulance from the clinic to the hospital and by the time we got to the hospital, her fever was gone and did not return the whole time we were there. I was so thankful that she was not seriously ill, but also quite frustrated that her doctors did not want to release her until her blood culture came back negative for bacterial infection. I understood their rational: "better to be safe than sorry." However, I tended to disagree with the idea that the hospital is the safest environment for someone in this circumstance (she was obviously not seriously sick). Yes, in the hospital we had direct access to doctors and medication, but we also had direct access to lots of sick people and hospital germs. At the hospital, we also got lack of sleep and unhealthy hospital food, neither of which are good things for someone trying to heal. It is also stressful and depressing to be locked up, indoors without fresh air!
However, in distinct Lily fashion, we tried to make the best of it and look at the bright side of things. There was the play room with lots of games and crafts to do everyday. There were super nice nurses who are willing to give lots of attention. There was plenty of time to lie around watching movies. And there was the fact that Lily felt good enough to enjoy these things! Yes, we are learning more and more that there are so many things to be thankful for no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. J
Lily's fever lasted less than a day and was low grade, so we weren't too worried. However, she did have low white blood counts that week and extreme fatigue, so we took her in right away to the doctor. The doctors at PCH follow the same protocol for all patients, which is a fever over 100.4 and low counts = hospitalization.
Lily had her first ride in an ambulance from the clinic to the hospital and by the time we got to the hospital, her fever was gone and did not return the whole time we were there. I was so thankful that she was not seriously ill, but also quite frustrated that her doctors did not want to release her until her blood culture came back negative for bacterial infection. I understood their rational: "better to be safe than sorry." However, I tended to disagree with the idea that the hospital is the safest environment for someone in this circumstance (she was obviously not seriously sick). Yes, in the hospital we had direct access to doctors and medication, but we also had direct access to lots of sick people and hospital germs. At the hospital, we also got lack of sleep and unhealthy hospital food, neither of which are good things for someone trying to heal. It is also stressful and depressing to be locked up, indoors without fresh air!
However, in distinct Lily fashion, we tried to make the best of it and look at the bright side of things. There was the play room with lots of games and crafts to do everyday. There were super nice nurses who are willing to give lots of attention. There was plenty of time to lie around watching movies. And there was the fact that Lily felt good enough to enjoy these things! Yes, we are learning more and more that there are so many things to be thankful for no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in. J
Labels:
Chemotherapy side effects,
Hospital,
Lessons learned
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