Our Home Away from Home

As I type, we are in our 16th hour at the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital Emergency Department. Anderson began running a fever yesterday that got up to 103.2. We went to his pediatrician who so graciously tried to find something that could be causing the fever, without us having to come up here. BUT, all tests were negative so we had to come and have the shunt checked out.

Jamie and I have learned a few things with every trip we've made to the ER- and the most important one is that just because they know you are coming and are expecting you, doesn't mean you will get seen more quickly. So, before we headed up here, we went home and ate supper (thank you Mama Jane!), we packed the girls' things and sent them off to Aunt Colyn (again- bless her heart), and we took showers. I know that sounds strange, but when you know that you will be sitting in a little room without a shower for the next 15-24 hours, it makes it all a little better just knowing you're clean.

So we arrived last night around 7pm. They began by running the same tests that had already been done by our Pediatrician- actually told us they thought their lab was better and that some of the tests may be positive by now...they were wrong. So about 11:30 last night they started the usual tests for the shunt. Poor Anderson ended up having 2 flu swabs, 2 RSV swabs, a catheter to check his urine, an IV, blood work, urine cultures and blood cultures, 5 XRays, an MRI, and a shunt tap- all while running a 103 temp, not being allowed to eat or drink, no IV fluids, and just flat out didn't feel well at all. Needless to say it was a long night.

Update: We are now home. I didn't get to finish this post before we left the hospital.

They never did find the culprit for the fever and high WBC. So they decided it was a virus. I am so thankful that it wasn't the shunt because an infected shunt is a pretty big ordeal. He has pretty much slept since we left the hospital, but when he is awake he is not a happy camper, especially while the fever is up. Thanks to everyone for their prayers. We are thankful to be home and thankful for "just a virus" when it could have been much worse.