DAY 37

Faith is running a fever of 103 and her heart rate is elevated to 195. I suppose it is expected for something like this to happen after such an extensive surgery. Disrupting the bowels creates a lot of bacteria to be released. In fact, they did end up taking out some of the bowel that was damaged and I forgot to post that part yesterday. But...still... I can't help but be an absolute nervous wreck. My anxiety is worse because I am at home. It is extremely difficult to be torn between two places and not know where the right place to be is. My kids at home need me and I have responsibilities to be taken care of here too. In a situation like this, I guess there is no good answer. I'm going to try to get some things done here (like pay bills) and I will call Monty and see what is happening afterwards and make a choice at that point. Maybe luck will be in our favor and they will have the fever under control by then. I'll let you know.

UPDATE: Fever is down to 100.4 and heart rate is down to 160. So, improvement from this morning. (sigh of relief). I think I gained 10 pounds just in one day at home eating for comfort and out of nervousness! To help you understand what it has been like in the PICU is that Nurses that have been working at the hospital for 20 years, do not remember a time when things were this crazy with so many REALLY sick kids. Since we have been there, 5 children have passed away. That is a lot when we have only been there 37 days. When we watch things like that happen around you, it increases your own stress and concern. When you are not with your sick child...it increases your stress and concern. However, I did have a nice day with the kids at home and am grateful for the time with them. They, too, are extremely strong...just like Faith. I have so much admiration for all of them. I am a very proud mommy.