So what's next?

Last Monday we made a trip to MUSC to see Dr White the pediatric ENT.  Dr Shippey, our sleep specialist, sent us there to determine if any ENT issues could be contributing to Brinkley's sleep apnea.  (There are no ENT's locally that specialize in pediatrics and with Brinkley's intricate issues we feel most comfortable with doctors who are trained to work with special needs kids.) 

The conclusion is that Brinkley does have enlarged tonsils.  To determine if this is causing problems we will be returning to MUSC at the end of August to do a sleep scope of his upper airway.  This will require him to be sedated, so he will be spending the night in the PCICU.  Dr White will use this scope to decide if it will be necessary to remove his tonsils.  If the tonsils need to come out that surgery will be done during this visit as well.  

Hopefully there will be a way around removing the tonsils since Dr White warned that this would be a tough recovery for Brinkley.  Despite what may come up, I know that God has a plan and it will all come together.  

The rest of the week proved to be quite eventful.  Tuesday we spent time at therapy and both boys saw the pediatrician.  Reese for his yearly check up and Brinkley to follow up on his ear infection.  Reese is in the 85% for height and 93% for weight.  Brinkley on the other hand was in the 0.04% for weight.  However, he has finally broken the 14 pound mark and was a whopping 14 lbs 4.5 oz.  I feel like I have Mutt and Jeff.  

Wednesday Brinkley was really puffy so I was on the phone most of the day with doctors and nurses in an attempt to figure out why and how to handle it.  This led to us being in the pulmonology and  cardiology offices from 8:15 am until 2:30 pm on Thursday.  We had x-rays, lab work, EKG, and an echo.  After some changes in medication we were sent home.  Friday Bryan and I took Reese back to school shopping for kindergarten.  Where has the time gone?!  I can't believe my Reesey is heading to real school.  

Despite the looks of it, it really wasn't that traumatic.  He is quite the ham for the camera.

Saturday was the highlight of the week.  Brinkley had been vomiting off and on since Thursday evening and had a fever off and on all day Friday.  I called the pediatrician's office and was advised to take him to the ER for fear that he may be dehydrated.  As I was trying to get myself and the boys ready to head to the hospital I heard Reese start screaming.  He ran into the living room and his hand was dripping blood. 

After convincing him to show me how he hurt himself, he showed me that he had gotten one of Bryan's EpiPens and shot himself in the hand with it.  This may not seem like a big deal, but in reality this was the most dangerous thing he has ever done.  The EpiPen is a shot of pure adrenaline that is used to temporarily stop the effects of a life threatening allergy.  (Bryan is deathly allergic to stinging insects.)  If it is used when not needed, it can essentially make your heart explode.

I called Bryan and then EMS.  Paramedics soon arrived and determined that Reese only scratched himself with the needle and did not actually inject the medication.  We quickly rushed off to the ER with Brinkley to learn that he appeared to have a stomach virus and was mildly dehydrated.  We were in the ER from about noon until 8:00pm.  It was a LONG and EXHAUSTING day to say the least.  

Brinkley has not had anymore vomiting or fever and we were quite glad to see this week come to an end.  Today has had some adventure of it's own as I have been on Sleep Patrol all day.  Stay tuned for the details on that when my patrol has come to an end!