{One Sick Little Man}

Warning: This will be a long post.
Day One:
This last four days have been very long and difficult. As many of you are aware Rowen came down with Bacterial Pneumonia this past week. It came on so fast and so hard. Monday he had a little bit of a cough, so I thought he was surely coming down with something. I didn't expect Pneumonia! Tuesday he was still coughing, but there didn't seem to be other symptoms and that was strange to me. That night all the other symptoms came on all at once. He couldn't get comfortable, he was breathing harder and started to fever. By Wednesday morning I was anxious to get him in to see the doctor. When I called (right at 8:30 a.m., when the office opened) they said get him in NOW. I left Lexi at my Mom's house and we where at the doctor's office by 9:00 a.m. This is just the beginning of a very long day. After being examined the doctor decided to send him for an x-ray because she couldn't hear anything in his lungs, but his breathing suggested otherwise. While we were at the hospital for the x-ray we some blood drawn for the first of many tests. All you moms out there know that when it comes to your child suffering you would trade places with them in a second if not sooner. Getting his blood drawn was awful! It took three tries to get a vain. I was worried at this point and trying to keep my emotions in check. I knew things were not good, but still had hope that it wouldn't be Pneumonia. After Rowen had his x-ray I was told by the X-ray Tech that he did have Pneumonia and that I should return to our doctor's office. Let me just add he was the nicest man. I knew it was not good and my emotions at the point got the best of me. Of course, I started to cry. He felt so bad and said, "I'm sorry. Are you okay? I feel so bad. You're going to make me cry. Is there anything I can do to help you? I'll walk you back to the doctor's office or to your car." He was so nice and I didn't even remember to get his name so that I could thank him for his kindness.
Once we got back to the doctor's office we gave Row a breathing treatment and it didn't seem to help in the slightest. Very discouraging! He was given a very painful antibiotic shot and a steroids prescription. We headed for home after being advised to return if the symptoms got any worst. We left the office at about 3:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m. we are back and the doctor took one look at him and said, "He needs to be admitted." They got everything arranged and we were on our way to Timpanogos Hospital. They had to open their pediatrics floor just for Rowen. He was the only patient on that floor for much of the time we were there. Day one down and quickly becoming day two. When we were finally all checked in and set up with IV, more blood work and hospital gown, it was 11:00 p.m. Rowen was so sick and just getting worse. As worried as we are, it was a relief to be at the hospital.
Day Two:
After being admitted we had lots of people checking in on our boy all night long. At about 2:00 a.m he was put on oxygen. At 5:00 a.m. the Respiratory Therapists came in and became very concerned. They immediately called Dr. Later and he was there by 5:15 a.m. There was more blood drawn (from an artery this time..OUCH!) for a Blood Gas to be ran and they again x-rayed Row's lungs. This is when I really began to worry! With all the commotion getting Rowen to the hospital the night before we didn't give him a blessing and I knew it was past time for this to happen. I thought about our family and who was closest to the hospital. Heath, my brother, lives in Provo and was understanding when I called him in tears. I told him that I was sorry for waking them, but Rowen needed a blessing right now. He came in record time and my Priesthood holders gave my baby a blessing. I have never doubted the power of a Priesthood Blessing and this was no exception. Shortly after his blessing Dr. Later came in and said that the Blood Gas looked better than expected. He said he was happy to see that. The rest of the day was filled with antibiotics, breathing treatments and lots of sleeping for Row. By 5:00 p.m. Rowen started to improve a little. It was a comfort to see.
Day Three:
Rowen started to seem more like himself, but needed to start eating/drinking more. There was talk about him possibly coming home. It was determined that he needed another day after he didn't eat enough and definitely didn't drink enough. His energy was not quite there either. I felt so much better when they decided to keep him one more night. They took him off of the oxygen and he did great without it all night. What a huge relief! Otherwise he would have had to come home on oxygen.
Day Four:
Rowen gets to come home! They kept him there until 11:00 a.m to give him two more IVs of the antibiotics his was on. Then we were given instructions for home. He is still on two more antibiotics (that makes 5 antibiotics, so far). He is still not 100% and needs to be kept in. We go back to the doctor on Tuesday for a check to make sure he is still improving. Then next week we will need to get another x-ray to make sure his lungs have cleared up.
I just want to thank everyone that helped take care of Lexi. She had a great time with both her Grandmas and her Aunt Tricia (who spoiled her rotten)! Thanks! We have such great family and friends! Thanks for all the prayers and support. We had so many praying for our boy and I know that those prayers have been answered. Rowen still has some recovering to do, but I know that our Heavenly Father is aware of him and will continue to look after him. What a comfort He is to us. I can't imagine a life without this knowledge. We are so blessed!