Sunday, March 09, 2008

UPDATE: 3/11/08
We're HOME! After being completely freaked out by the hospital staff last night due to a sudden change regarding Shep being put in "isolation", Shep took a turn for the better last night and seems to be very much improved today! The doctors said last night was hopefully the worst of the virus (and it IS viral), so they gave him one more dose of antibiotics (just to play it safe) and sent us home this morning. Shepherd still has swelling around his brain which is causing headaches but that is just to be expected with meningitis and motrin helps to take away his pain. They weighed him today and Shepherd lost 5 pounds in 3 days despite the i.v. fluids. However, on the way home, he requested apple juice so we pulled in to Chick-Fil-A and got him some. Once we got back on the road, he requested a cupcake...and then a hot dog....and then some more juice....lol - trust me - his wish is our command right now so I'm pretty sure he'll be putting that weight back on very soon! :) Thank you, thank you, thank you to EVERYONE who has reached out to us! It would be impossible for me to respond to each phone call, email and text message we've received over the past 72 hours so I'll just give a heart felt thank you on the blog and ask you all to continue to pray for quick healing of the area around his brain. Hopefully within 3-5 days he'll be completely back to his normal self! It is true that you can have joy in the midst of suffering...by the grace of God we managed to laugh and smile throughout it all.

MENINGITIS

First of all, thank you so much to ALL of you who have called, emailed, texted, visited, ect since yesterday! Chad and I have been literally overwhelmed with everyone's loving concern and support. For those of you who have not heard, Shepherd is in the hospital and is being treated for Spinal Meningitis. We are currently waiting to find out if it is viral or bacterial...they are treating him for bacterial although we won't know for sure till tomorrow which one he has. I can't get over how quickly this spiraled downwards! He woke up yesterday and was FINE...we even had a play-date with some friends of ours at our home. However, around noon, he began grabbing his head and saying he didn't feel good...by 2pm, we were at the doc's office being tested for the Flu....by 5pm, he was having x-rays of his neck and being tested for Strepp...by 7pm, he was having a spinal tap in the E.R. to check for Meningitis - by 11pm, we were being admitted in to the hospital. Chad and I couldn't believe it when they said he had meningitis!...all we could think was...where in the world did he get that?! The doctor said that Meningitis is basically just a cold that somehow manages to cross the brain barrier...they suggested that Shep's immune system must be low for this to happen. We are pretty sure they are correct about the immune system and think it has to do with the fact that he was on so many antibiotics when he developed Osteomyelitis at 15 months. Neways, the doctors assured us that he will be FINE!! If it is viral then we will hopefully go home Tuesday morning...if it is Bacterial, we will have to stay for 10 days. PLEASE BE VIRAL!!! Please continue to pray for him...his sweet little head is in a lot of pain from all the swelling around his brain. :( They've assured us that the pain he's experiencing is normal for this particular illness but it doesn't make it any easier to watch your child endure. He's got so many tubes coming off and out of him that he's uncomfortable with that too...he keeps asking to go home and is pretty much just breakin' mommy and daddies hearts! We'll be thankful when he's back to his normal happy self again!!

24 comments:

Sara said...

Poor Shep. Bless his little heart. He has had to endure a lot for his little age. Y'all our in our prayers.

Casey said...

The Picker family is praying for Shep. Hang in there buddy!

Morgan Holt said...

Awww! I'm so sorry to hear about your "baby" being so sick! That hurts my heart. It's so hard seeing them that way. We'll keep him and the rest of your family in our prayers.

Kate said...

Praying, praying, praying! God bless you guys! Keep us posted.

kristy said...

I'm really sorry to hear about Shepherd being so sick! He is in our prayers (as are you and Chad). Please keep us posted on his condition.

tleaf10 said...

Wow ... I didn't know this was going on! I hope you have heard good news by now. I'll be praying for Shep.

Rachael said...

You guys will definately be in our prayers. I'm so sorry litte Shep has to be in the hospital again. He's a tough little guy! I know it must be so hard to watch your child be in pain. Keep us updated.

Keith and Erin said...

Hey guys, my mom called us yesterday morning to give us the news on Shepherd. Just wanted to let you know our Sunday School class is sending up prayer requests on Shep's behalf. We'll also be praying for you guys as well. Hang in there! We'll be down this weekend and hopefully be able to see everyone then. Take care!

Keith

Unknown said...

I am so sorry to hear this! It is so hard to see your child in pain- I really feel for you and Chad. I will keep Shepherd and all of you in my prayers! Angela

Tiffany said...

I'll be praying for Shep and you guys too!

Melody said...

Praying for all of you. Update us when you get a spare second.

Melody

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness!! I had no idea Shep was so sick!!!! Please keep us updated. I'll be praying for the sweet boy! Love you! Shauri

Varner said...

Oh my goodness! We will keep him in our prayers. Love you!

Amanda said...

You are all in my prayers! Poor Shep just can't catch a break!

Unknown said...

I'm sorry that Shep is sick, I will be praying for him and for you and Chad. I hope that you have gotten news back on viral vs. bacterial...
Take care and update when you can!

Courtney said...

All of you guys are in our prayers!Hang in there Shepherd!
The Sexson Family

Michael and Hannah said...

How scary! I'm so glad he's home and on the mend. Sounds like your sweet Mommy luv'n is speeding his recovery!

Page said...

Oh, that is so heartbreaking to hear but I'm so grateful it turned out to be only viral and that he is feeling much better. I'm praying for you and your family!

Hannah said...

Lindsey, we are so glad to hear that the meningitis was viral and that Shep is home. Y'all have been through so much with him, and you are stronger for it! Hope to see y'all this summer!

Only Me said...

I'm so glad you guys are home! Make sure everyone gets some much needed rest.

Luchy

Kelly B. said...

Oh, I feel so bad for Shep and you all too!! We are praying for you guys! Glad he's home.

lauren said...

I am just now seeing this! I'm SO sorry you all have had to go through this! I can't even imagine how scary that must have been. I hurt for you! BUT, I'm SO SO relieved to know that it was viral and he will be fine. I will definitely say prayers for his brain swelling to go down quickly.

Also, congrats on your new position! That sounds like a wonderful job, and how nice that you'll get to be with your kids!

Unknown said...

Hey Lindsey! I was just checking in to see how Shep and the rest of your family is doing. I hope and pray that things are almost back to normal in the Eason household!

Sallie said...

GRACIOUS! I'm just getting caught up on your blog after a couple of weeks...I'm SO SO sorry Shep has been so sick, and SO glad that he is finally better! I know you must be exhausted! I'm so glad it sounds like you guys have plenty of people takin' care of you! GET SOME REST!!