Yesterday progressed very slowly. Mira pooped some more, but not a ton. Around 8PM last night she seemed to be feeling better and Erika and I forced her to go downstairs to work out some energy. Or get things moving quicker down there (if you know what I mean).
Initially, this did not go well at all. Mira screamed and cried and begged us to hold her most of the way. It wasn’t until we ventured down to the basement and Mira saw the piano they have in the main area that she perked up. Then she was finally back to her old self: bossing us around, jumping, making us “goto sleep” Which basically means that you lay down on the ground and snore as loud as possible. Then she’ll come over, give you a kiss and say, “Awwww, daddy sleep. Night night.” We felt it was a smashing success and wound up having to drag her back upstairs a half hour later.
Back in the room, she got her appetite back and really started to eat: cottage cheese, some pizza and some fruit. She was looking great! We decided it as getting late, so we starting to wind things down and get her ready for bed.
In bed she started to fuss and then it was like someone hit the “flush” button. Because everything in the world started coming out of her. We were changing diapers every 10 minutes or so. It got ugly for a while. Even after she was sleeping, it was still coming out.
The pinnacle was when I woke up around midnight to see her sleeping next to me in the bed, head down but squating/standing on her feet. “What in the world is she doing I thought.” Then I smelled it and figured what was going again. Oh no, It was all over the bed too. Erika took one look and opened the door to our room and said in her best nurse voice, “We need help in here NOW!” Nurses came running from all directions. It was amazing. We had the sheets changed and had given Mira a sponge bath right next to the bed in about 3 minutes tops.
4AM she started to vomit (dry heaving really). It wasn’t much of a mess, as she and I were back asleep in no time.
It was a difficult night to say the least. Lots of diaper changes, a few sheet changes, plenty of lost sleep.
This morning she has been incredibly tired. I asked Dr. Robinson to put her back on IV fluids. As soon as we got them in her she went right to sleep. Our best guess is that we are past the constipation issues from the pain meds, but now Mira has picked up a bug (we are in a childrens hospital). Mira has been sleeping next to me nearly all morning. Here is a pick of our little work area that I’m taking right now:
Mira sleeping by my little workstation at the hospital
Erika just went home for a few hours to catch up on some things (laundry and the like). I’m planning to head home after she gets back this evening to get ready for work tomorrow morning.
Our best case scenario is that Mira wakes up and starts to feel better. Then eats and is able to keep things down (both ends) for the next 24 hours and we might get discharged by tomorrow afternoon sometime (maybe). That’s a best case scenario.
Keep our little peanut in your thoughts. She’s been through an awful lot and we hope she gets better soon!
2PM Update for today: No sooner had I finished this post, then Mira stood up and erupted from both ends (probably the largest eruption yet). She appears to have kept her tylenol down that I gave her after the incident. Suffice to say, our little girl has a terrible bug. I looks like we are back to clear liquids for her diet. They are making up an IV right now with potassium for her to keep her electrolytes in balance. Poor little thing. Thoughout the whole thing, she just wanted to wear her red socks. She just kept crying and asking for her socks. Of course they were just covered with all sorts of nasty fluids. So, she had to settle for the blue hospital issued socks. We’ll keep you posted…
Hi Everyone! We have been praying for all of you. We are hoping things get back to normal really soon. You didn’t know how boring your life was did you? Enough excitement for a while. Love you and hope you get to go home soon, Mom Donley
Hi Guys,
Wow, we are thankful for Mira’a (and your sake ) the constipation has passed. We are extremely glad to hear that she still continues to boss around people. Go Mira! We continue to pray for a speedy recovery. We love you guys!!
This is the bunco girls, all sending our best wishes and our thoughts are with all three of you. Thank you for keeping us posted.
Dear Mira and family,
I work with your Grandma Cheryl. All of us at RPMS are praying for you and your family and surely hope you’re well and home soon! We know you’re one of the special apples of your grandma’s eye!
Hey Mitchell clan.
Just wanted let you know that Dana, Dylan and I are thinking of you and we are hoping for a speedy recover for Mira.
You guys are in our thoughts and prayers and we hope Mira starts feeling better soon.
Hi Mitchell’s.
Wow, we are glad to hear the surgery went well and look forward to all the related sympoms subsiding. Nat grabbed Mira’s picture off the refrigerator and held it while we read the updates to her and Jake. We’re all thinking of you.
Take care.
Gramma loves you so much and I will be leaving in the morning to see you! All of you take care….try to get some sleep!
Wow! I can’t even express what I feel for you guys and Mira! A couple of times when I read you saying something about what a parent never wants to hear / see, it just “hurt” for all of you!! Not something that you’d wish on anyone that’s for sure. And just an ordinary experience turns this was, could happen to anyone, any of us. We’re all praying and hoping for you here!
Erika and Pat,
I have been praying for you and Mira since Shannon told our team about what happened. I continue to hope and pray that Mira starts feeling better soon and you can all get home soon.
HI you guys!!! I hope you get home soon. Was someone home long enough to get a special delivery? It was supposed to come on Saturday. We are all thinking of your family. I loved the PICU days but did not ever want to see someone I knew in there. Children like MIRA were the highlights of my nights in the PICU.
Do they think she might have gotten C. diff from the antibiotics? Or a bug from something she is playing with in a “childrens” hospital? It is impossible to keep everything germ free at all times!!
Kevin posted your site for all of us to keep in touch and up to date. Thanks for all the updates!!
Julie McClure
I was the “Prayers of the People” reader yesteday, and Mira’s name was read aloud in church. We continue to hold her (and you guys) up in prayer.
Best wishes folks.. Hope to get an update soon saying you are home and Mira’s on the rebound.. So sorry to hear of the incident(s), but appreciate the info..
UC
Mira’s name was mentioned during the General Intercessions at all three Masses yesterday at Prince of Peace.
May Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception intercede for all of you.
We will continue praying until we hear you are all free and clear.
When they say that this is the season of giving, I’m pretty sure this isn’t what they had in mind. That being said, I’m hoping from Silent Nights and more Peace and a lot more Joy in the coming days. Dana and I are thinking of you Mira, and sending you and your Mom, Dad, Grandmoms and Granddads, Aunts, Uncles and one little cousin all of our love. I hope everyone feels much better very, very soon.
We are both keeping all three of you in our thoughts and prayers. Hopefully you will all get to go home soon and try to get things back to normal.