Monday, January 22, 2018

Recovering From RSV

The twins are playing perfectly with our new in home helper and Henley is taking a nap. I started cleaning the entry way and mudroom and instead decided to take a rest, drink a cup of coffee and engage in some therapeutic writing instead. It might sound silly, but all these hours behind the wheel leave me lots of time to think, but not much time to unload those thoughts. So a lot of the time I just talk to God and ask for guidance and clarity, healing and rest! But sometimes I get 5 minutes to sit down...

Henley and I came home Saturday night, after being gone for a week again. She is not 100% but the worst of the RSV seems to be behind us. In addition to that her tube site FINALLY looks really good and that gives me more comfort being back home as well.

I came across this really need video that explains the function of neutrophils:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZxf1QDcEO0

We continue to boost Henley's neutrophils to an acceptable range with the GCSF shot she gets every other day. Then we do blood work twice a week to ensure the shot is working like it should. Without the shot she has ZERO.

Henley did have a shot a little over a month ago called Synagis. We credit another SDS family for sharing their story about fighting RSV for making us aware of this shot. Although Henley did still test positive for RSV, we believe that it probably lessened the symptoms. Being in Fargo and so close to the hospital (literally less than 5 minutes) made us so much more comfortable. She was also evaluated everyday from the day she first showed symptoms. There's no doubt that all the prayers you sent up for her helped keep her out of the hospital and gave her little body strength to fight through this awful illness. Now I'm just praying that her healing continues. She's still coughing and has a runny nose, but she's doing so much better.

We have learned so much about how his awful flu and RSV season is affecting so many families. I'm begging you, if you are sick, if you are coughing, if you are sneezing, if you have a tickle in your throat - please take measures to protect others around you. Use antibacterial gel, wash wash wash your hands. Wipe down surfaces. I think the flu and RSV are so strong this season that this is example of when sharing germs or thinking germs help build a healthy immune system is NOT the case. Although Henley did not end up being in the hospital inpatient - her and I did have to spend an entire week away from home again. I'm so happy to be home again with the twins and Kyle.