Tangled in hoses

The bug inside Jeremy's body decided to put up a fight. By Sunday, Jeremy was no better, and the invader was sapping what little remaining energy he had left. When a coughing jag left him groaning, we took him to the emergency room.

Upon his arrival, the triage doc took one look at Jeremy and muttered something matter-of-factly about admitting him into the hospital. A little red light pressed to his toe confirmed that his oxygen saturation levels had fallen well into the danger zone. Plopping his limp body on the scale told us he had lost four pounds -- too much for a kid who doesn't have much fat to lose to begin with.

In the ER, a bevy of doctors and nurses drew blood, started fluids, took x-rays, administered steroids and antibiotics, collected urine, and poked and prodded all available orifices. The attending pediatric physician offered a tentative diagnosis: walking pneumonia. After several hours, Jeremy's private room was ready. As weak as he was, Jeremy was able to muster up a "vroom" when the ex-Navy nurse wheeled him up to the fourth floor.

Since arriving in Room 426, an impressive team of doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists have banded together to help Jeremy get rid of the bug, rehydrate, and regain his ability to breathe on his own. He will be able to come home when he can go 24 hours without supplemental oxygen.

The good news is that Jeremy is perky enough now to have discovered how fun it is to pluck the wires off his chest and the tubes out of his IV. I actually don't mind...untangling and reattaching all of the lines helps pass the time.

The truly good news is that Jeremy slept through the night peacefully last night. He did need oxygen to keep his levels safe, but he slept soundly and restfully and woke up in a pleasant mood and ready to face the steady stream of medical professionals who continue to poke and prod and listen to his chest cavity. Must be some very important sounds in there, to garner so much educated attention.

Please send healing thoughts and wishes to Jeremy. He needs our strength right now.