My Daughter is very sick.

[jay_merrill]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Mark, I think one of the worst things I've had to do as a Dad, is to hold my 3 year old son down, along with a nurse, while another nurse gave him a massive dose of antibiotics via injection. The needle that they used would have hurt me, and as the nurse buried it in his thigh, he screamed bloody murder. I literally winced as he cried out because I knew that it hurt him very much. When it was over, he gave me one of those looks like, "why did you do that to me?"

As is true of every other parent here, I feel your concern and frustration at not being able to make her pain go away. The good news, however, is that there is no better medcine than a father's hug and reassuring voice. With the help of the docs, and your wife and yourself, she'll be ok.

In the meantime, she is in my thoughts.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

God bless both you and Amber. My family and I will have you and your family in our prayers. I too am a Daddy and have a little girl, so I know how you must be feeling right now.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Nothing like when your child hurts. I had to hold down my sun (age 3 at the time) wile the doctor look at his lip. Older sister wiped out on the steps and put his teeth through his lower lip. The look he gave me like i was hurting him and the trust he new was for the best.
I hope its nothing .

 

[i386]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

I hope they figure it out and fix it real soon Mark.

 

[ToothDocNick]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

My thoughts are with you and your family Mark. As someone who see children when emergencies arise, I can tell you that it is not easy being on the treating end with children. Nobody wants to see a child sick or hurting. Sounds like you are in great hands with the speedy responses you are getting. Keep us posted.

 

[Ross J]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Mark, a hug and a kiss from a father soothes the pain, makes the child stronger, gives the child somebody to share this with, makes them feel confident (after all dad's bulletproof isn't he?). And lets them know that everything they feel is felt by the parent.
Just give and keep giving. There's no love like that from a parent when you're young and sore.
It'll be welcomed and sought after.
Ross

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Wishing for the best possible outcome and a speedy recovery.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Thoughts and prayers for Amber snd the entire family Mark. If you have ANY doubt as to the Doc's diagnosis get a second opinion. If for nothing else than your own peace of mind.

 

[JRJ]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Hate to hear about a child in pain. Best wishes for her and your family.

 

[mthieme]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Mark,
any update?
I agree with you that it sounds odd.
I am concerned that you may not have found the cause yet.

This may sound stupid, but touching is a powerful healing tool.
I lean a little on the holistic side and believe that the body heals itself (sometimes with help).

 

[PW2]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

I too hope she gets well soon. There is no feeling so helpless as a sick child. I've been thru it.

We couldn't get a kid thru age 5 without spending a few weeks with them at the local children's hospital for a few weeks each first trying first what was wrong, and second how to fix it.

I recall setting up an office at a bank of pay phones in the lobby of Children's Hospital in Seattle so I could kind of get my job done while still being closeby...

I wish you and your daughter well, and hope all turns out OK!

 

[Mark42]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Spent most of the day at the Goryeb Childrens Hospital. This is a top notch hospital. From blood work and cat scans they figured out she has Osteomyelitis, which is an infection in the bone. Pretty rare, about 2 in 10,000 children get it. Usually from trauma to the bone, but Amber has no trauma, so its kind of odd that the has it.

Treatment is a specific antibiotic that attacks the specific bacteria that is causing the infection. They said they were able to identify the bacteria so treatment continues agressively.

Amber still runs a feaver, still in pain, but off the morphine. So she is more alert, and actually in a good mood today.

If Osteomyelitis can kill the bone to the extent that surgery is needed to remove the dead bone, and implant good bone from a doner site. It often attacks the lower legs, and Amber has it in her heel.

Because the infection is in bone, it is difficult for the antibiotics to reach the infection due to limited blood flow in bone.

So even though Amber is not is extreme pain, and the swelling has not increased, we are still worried that the condiiton can take a turn for the worst.

She will need antibiotic intravenously for 6 weeks to 2 months. They have a device to administer the dose that she will have to wear when she goes back to school.

Wife is holding up well, I packed cloths and stuff she asked for this morning. There is a folding bed that my wife is using, and the staff has been really great giving her the few little things she asked for. The room is a double, and has its own private bath and shower.

I brought some "chapter" books for Amber, and her favorite stuffed toy she sleeps with (a little dog), some nail polish, her favorite body cream, and various lip glosses I could find in her room. She was so happy to have these things.

I was surprised to see that the hospital has portable rolling Nintendo systems with flat panel screens they roll right up to the bed, lots of games, and the kids can play for hours. There is also a TV with a CD player, and a list of kid moves 6 pages long.

Down the hall is a big playroom, they have wagons, tricycles, board games, etc for the kids to use or for the visiting siblings to keep themselvs busy with while the parents fuss over the sick one. Quite the setup.

We are really relieved that Amber's condition was identified. We keep our fingers crossed that all goes well the rest of this week. I'm going to be working from home this week so I can take Eric to pre-school while my wife stays with Amber.

Thanks to all for your well wishes and prayers. They really do help.

Mark

 

[bugman1964]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Glad to hear that she is doing better. Hang in there sounds like better days are on the way.

 

[rndn]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Glad to hear they have been able to diagnose the problem. Nothing is worse than the helpless feeling you get watching your kid be in pain. My prayers are with you and your family.

 

[mthieme]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

I'm glad the problem has been identified and being properly treated.
I'm sure the doctors described what is going on.
Other than trauma, Wikipedia states that the microorganism can enter via a root canal. I've seen teeth mentioned in other maladies seemingly unrelated before. Streptococci and E.Coli are also potential causes...common bugs.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment may also help this.
I have personally been on Hyrperbaric Oxygen Treatment. It is amazing.
You might inquire about this.

Life will be hectic for a little while but I have a good feeling about Amber. Everything will turn out alright.
(Although openly I deny it, I inherited my mother's intuition).

 

[Mark42]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Just a few weeks ago, Amber and Eric were having a blast. Not a care in the world. Hope to get back to this ASAP...

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Great report Mark Will keep up the prayers and thoughts for Amber.......................please keep us advised when you can.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Glad that the issue has been diagnosed and that the correct treatment is under way.
You have had a lot of thoughts and prayers in your direction since you first posted. They will continue throughout for your family during this difficult time.

 

[angus63]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

I'm happy for you. Good luck for a full recovery and a distant memory.

 

[Robj]

Re: My Daughter is very sick.

Hey Mark,

Our prayers are with you. Have faith, things will all work out. Keep in touch.

Best wishes,

Rob.