Here we go...again

Just as Scott and the boys pulled out of the driveway to head north for Scott's 20-year high school reunion, I felt Luke's forehead.  Hot.

"Wave bye to Daddy," I whispered, praying that it was just low-grade and perhaps a result of teething.  But my heart knew better.  By 11am, his fever had jumped to 101.  I called the pediatrican's office and asked them to fax over orders for a chest x-ray.  They told me to make an appointment and, if necessary, the pediatrician could write the order after our visit.

Uh...no.  I politely asked the nurse to ask Dr. E if she could go ahead and send over the order so we could have the x-rays in hand before the visit.  An hour later I got a call that they had been faxed over.

Rule #1 in being your child's advocate.  Never discount your gut.  And rule #2, don't placate the mom.  I knew what he had, I just needed a doctor to confirm it and write the scrip.

Later this afternoon, after getting the x-rays, we headed to the pedi's office and...

Luke now has pneumonia.

D***

Oh, and the even more fun part?  Most of the drugs you give to treat it he's either A) allergic to or B) will have major gut issues because they are so harsh.  Outstanding.

After several minutes of serious discussion with Dr. E, we opted to give him a less potent antibiotic to see if it will do the trick.  If he's still having high fevers and not keeping fluids down by Sunday, I'm to take him directly to Dell.

{sigh}

Please, please, please take a few moments to pray for Master Luke.  I am so hopeful that these meds will alleviate his symptoms and we can get him on the mend without any major side effects or a trip to my most unfavorite place in the world.

My sweet cousin

Many of you have been following Patrick and Carolee Nicosia's story on Caring Bridge.  On October 11, Patrick was in a serious car accident and suffered severe head trauma.  Until Sunday, he was at Ben Taub in Houston and then he was transferred to Hospice.  Today, as Carolee held him in her arms, he passed from this life to the next.

Words escape me.

Sadness fills my heart.

May Carolee, her daughter Annie, and their entire family be strengthed by prayers.  Our prayers.

Rest in peace, Patrick.

Two Moms on the Mind

This week, there are two moms I just can't get out of my head, heart or prayers.

Elizabeth.  Yesterday was her sweet Catherine's first birthday.  It should be a beautiful celebration.  But little Catherine only lived 9 days.  Nine precious days.  The milestones we celebrate - and often take for granted - are a reminder of what was and what will never be.  It's not possible for me to truly understand that kind of loss.  But it is possible for me to offer up prayers for comfort, peace and joy.

Jenny.  She and I were sorority sisters at A&M and last week she gave birth to two really, really cute identical twin girls.  They were just over the 35 week mark, but at 4 pounds and change, they're just not ready to leave the NICU.  Yesterday, Jenny left the hospital without them.  I know that kind of day.  It sucks (that would be a direct quote from one of my neonatologists).  Oh, how the torrent of emotions comes rushing back, just when you think you're doing ok.

In my heart, I know there are so many moms on this day who need our prayers.  We can never say enough, can we?  Elizabeth, Jenny and so  many others...we're praying for you.  Love you two.

Prayer Request

Hey folks, I'm writing today for my sweet cousin, Carolee.  She and I are related, although to figure it all out gives me a headache.  Just trust me :)  She and I met at A&M, after our family branch had lost touch with hers.  Truly providential.  We pledged sororities together, her a Zeta, me a Chi Omega.  I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home at her house in Houston.  We shared lots of laughs, oogling at Corps boys and a few tears.  She is an amazing person and I'm so thankful that Facebook brought us back together after losing touch again!

On Monday morning, she posted on my wall that she and her husband would be traveling to Austin and wanted to meet up.  I was thrilled and posted a response at 11:15am.  At noon, Patrick was in a terrible car accident in Houston and suffered severe brain trauma.  He now lies in ICU and the marathon for recovery has begun.  It is serious.  Very serious.  And they need some major prayers.

You can follow his journey HERE.  If you have a moment, offer up some prayers...for strength, for wisdom and for enduring the hardest cross they may ever carry.  Those are tough.

Nuts...and a few prayers

I'm hoping tomorrow I'll be able to catch everyone up on life here at Casa Crazy.

In the meantime, I'd like to ask for some prayers for a special buddy of Luke's, Baby Reece.  He and Luke are the same age and share many things in common (doctors, big families, and lots of surgeries at Dell).  Reece has had an unbelievably difficult 48 hours and needs some big prayers.  When you get a moment today, offer up some prayers for his parents, Dina and Ken, Reece and his three cute brothers.

More tomorrow.  Sorry for all the radio silence :(

Updated Prayer Request

On Monday, I mentioned some friends of our were in need of prayers...if you're up at 0630 in the morning, offer one up for Chris. He received a positive diagnosis of testicular cancer and will undergo surgery tomorrow morning (Wednesday) at 6:30, in Indianapolis.

And, some prayers for Dawn and the baby are needed as well. I know how moms are, we worry and when we worry we forget to take care of ourselves. They need a bundle of prayers...