THANKFUL!

I am listening to the sounds of TWO kids splashing in the tub, something that I haven't heard since mid-December. Caleb is well again! He's been feeling well for quite a while, but now he has his PICC line out, so we're completely medicine-free. From the sounds of things, he's glad to be back in the bath.

Just so I have everything in one place, here is a summary of Caleb's whole illness, written to the best of my memory. :)

Saturday, December 20th - Caleb was cranky and clingy all day, walking with a limp.

Sunday, 21st - Caleb refused to put any weight on his leg. Winced any time it was moved or bumped (like by his sister -- whoops). Dr sent us to hospital for x-rays and blood work, which all came back clear. Suggested that we give him ibuprofen on Monday to see if it improved. If not, come back Tues. for check up.

Monday, 22nd - All day ibuprofen with no signs of improvement. Caleb was frustrated with not being able to walk, so he invented a one-legged crawl that looked really pathetic. His "sympathetic" parents thought it was cute and caught the incident on cell phone video.

Tuesday, 23rd (night of icy storm) - Still no improvement. After picking up my brother (the one with the seizures) to spend the night with us, We took Caleb back to dr for a check up, and he ordered more tests at the hospital, especially after noting that he had a double ear infection. Stephen left us all at home since he would be "right back" after testing. By 6 pm, Caleb was having an MRI to check for infection in his legs. Diagnosis: Osteomyelitis of the femur. The infection in his ears had traveled through the bloodstream and settled around his knee, requiring immediate surgery. My parents had to come get Nathan and Katy, and I took my mother-in-law's car to the hospital. Surgery went very well. The infection was dangerous, but not as advanced as previously suspected. However, it was near the growth plate, so extra caution was warranted lest infection stop his leg from growing.

Tuesday, 23rd - Wednesday 31st - In the hospital. Caleb had major issues with his IV being replaced a few times, but other than that, his incision healed just fine, and he became a cooped up boy tied to an IV pole. :) Thanks to those who called/wrote/visited/brought treats and books. It was a great break from the monotony!! Stephen's family came on Christmas and spent a few hours making us part of the celebration.

Wednesday, 31st - Caleb was discharged from the hospital. One of the last procedures he had done was putting in a PICC line so that he could continue to receive IV antibiotics without being in the hospital. A home health care nurse came to our house to show us how to administer his meds, change the IV tubing (which only had to be attached when he was getting medicine), and how to take care of him. He only needed meds every six hours, and they take an hour to go in. We gave him meds from 6-7 AM, 12-1 PM, 6-7 PM, and 12-1 AM. He was usually asleep for two of the treatments, so that made things easier on him. When he wasn't, the IV pump was in a little fanny pack so he could be mobile.

Wednesday, 31st-Tuesday, 20th - We've been giving Caleb his meds, which caused slight sleep deprivation for his mom and dad, but it's been going well. One big downer for him was not being able to splash around in the tub. He got a little jealous of his sister. Tuesday he had his PICC line removed and is done taking medicine. One more checkup, and, after nearly a month of sickness, I think we'll be done!