Hospital Day 1

So if you didn't know, we do have to do a hospital stay. We arrived here around noon and will be here for at least a week (ish). Anywhere between 6-14 days.

Toe doesn't want me to share any photos of him with his PICC line tonight, so maybe photos some other time.

We are here and they started with us the moment we walked in. They placed a temporary IV in Toe's hand and then used that to "moderately sedate" Toe and put in a PICC line. Because Toe will be doing a 10-14 day course of antibiotics, they put in a line that goes in his arm through a vein until the end is close to his heart. The PICC line looks like a regular IV but on his upper arm. It is a longer term solution than an IV (an IV must be moved every few days). It will remain in place until the antibiotic treatment is done.

Toe took it all like a champ and the people here are amazing. About thirty minutes ahead, they numbed a number of spots where they might need to place the IV. They have a staff member specifically to entertain kids and distract them during procedures. She came to us before the procedure and showed Toe how an IV works (she used a real IV on a doll. Toe was fascinated). We were there when they placed the IV and Toe (who was baking cookies on an iPad app) barely flinched. We had to leave for the PICC insertion, but it was done quickly and the staff member talked with and entertained him through the procedure.

After Toe ate, we went down to have his chest X-rayed to see if the PICC line was in the right place. We came back and did a breathing treatment and they started Toe on fluids and antibiotics. Now he and his dad are playing X Box.This has been the LONGEST day. I can't believe it's not 11 at night. It seems that there is always someone new coming in: the nurse to administer meds, the pulmonologist, the respiratory therapist, the resident pulmonologist, someone to take him to X-rays, someone bringing food...

Toe is just now experiencing some pain in the PICC area - pretty normal. We've given him a heat pack and will give Tylenol if necessary. Other than that, he has taken the entire day in stride. This kid never ceases to amaze me. He has greeted people with a friendly and cheerful attitude, asked questions when he had them, and generally been a good sport. He's a kid who wears his emotions on his sleeve, but I also know that today has been hard on him. He has been talking in a higher pitched voice - almost a baby voice - all day. We tried to Face Time my sister and Toe didn't want Beck to see his PICC line or his shaved head. He had a moment where he looked like he might lose it (just weepy). It was interesting how when Toe had the opportunity to talk to someone he trusted, it was almost too much for him.

They work really hard to make the experience positive. They all are hyper-aware this is our first visit. The nurses, doctors, and staff are all really nice. Toe has already scored two stuffed animals and a care box. We have been serenaded by a high school choir singing Christmas carols.

For the next 48 hours, they will give Toe IV fluids as well as antibiotics, so he will be hooked up to an IV for two days. He will do four breathing treatments a day here with the respiratory therapist. After that, he will only be connected to the IV when they administer his antibiotics and we will be a little more mobile. He is able to walk around the hospital with a mask on. He will continue to do four breathing treatments a day for the duration of his antibiotics.

Ok, that's all I've got.