Saturday, January 20, 2007

No stranger to pain

Quinn gained over a half a pound and grew an inch and a half during his week home.


All seemed well until today, Friday. While I was at work, Steph found he was running a fever of about 101.5. She took him to his local pediatrician who, after three needle attempts, took some blood. It was discovered that Quinn had a high white blood cell count, indicative of a possible infection somewhere in his body. The doctor told us to take him up to the Providence hospital emergency room to get looked over. As soon as I finished my drive home from work, the family hopped in the car and headed for Providence.
Five attempts with the needle to successfully get an line into Quinn's small veins. I'm glad that he is so young that he doesn't know when he's about to be stuck and tweaked around. He only cries when it hurts. Next up was a spinal tap to test for meningitis. I knew he wasn't going to like this. Steph left the room having no desire to watch. Quinn was stripped naked and held tightly on a table hunched over into a ball. The first needle into his back produced only blood and no spinal fluid was able to be extracted. The next attempt made it into his spinal cord, and I got my first view of what spinal fluid looks like. I stood off to the side and whipped away at Quinn's naked little bum as he cried and soiled the table. Not at all how I imagined spending the evening.
I won't jump to any conclusions, and neither will the doctors. A fever and a high white blood cell count could mean any number of things, and the doctors won't have the full blood test results for another 48 hrs. He has been admitted to stay over the weekend under observation, and placed on antibiotics. It is a little sad to see him back here after having him home. A lot of precautionary measures have been taken today, and I know you can never be too careful with an infant who has had surgeries. But I sure would like to see him avoid any more spinal taps, at least until he is old enough for local anesthetic.
Other than these symptoms, Quinn looks very good, active, and doesn't cry very much. If it happens that he does have an illness, I will postpone the celebration in Mystic. I will let you know what the doctors find out.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mighty Quinn, hang in there!

May God keep watch over you, your mom&dad and the may He give the doctors the knowledge to get you all fixed up and send you all back home real soon!

God bless!

Anonymous said...

I am praying for all of you - for wisdom for the doctors, compassion in the hearts of all you deal with, and most of all, for thorough healing for our precious Quinn. We already know that God holds each of you close every single minute!

With my love,
Mrs. Cherry

Anonymous said...

i will say a prayer for your little guy, I am a friend of Karra's from Bay Path. I also live in Mystic! My name is Katy. I have been following Quinn's story since Stephanie was pregnant. I have cried at your posts, and smiled at them. I hope that Quinn is okay, and my family's prayers are with you too!
Stay strong!
-Katy Getman
Kgetman@baypath.edu

Anonymous said...

Mighty Quinn that is wonderful you gained weight while home. I am so sorry to hear of your setback. I am sure it is just a minor thing and you will be home soon. You, mommy and daddy are on many prayer lists in Traverse City Michigan. Prayers can work miracles.
Tammara

Gib and Abby Brogan said...

Steph and Dan,
Don't these kids keep us on our toes? Just remember that this is just a speed bump on the road to recovery. The pictures are great it looks like he finally found where he belongs. At home. And you three will be there again soon.
Much love,
Abby

Anonymous said...

What great pictures! It's so good to see the three of you at home. I'm praying for a speedy diagnosis and recovery for Quinn so that you can all be at home again soon.

I love you all.

Kristin

Anonymous said...

Hi Steph and Dan,

I know Quinn's a tough baby - he'll be home again soon. My prayers and thoughts are with you guys.
love Suzanne

Anonymous said...

Hi guys: I love seeing the photos of you guys at HOME!!! We will wait on pins and needles for his lab results!!

I'm gonna go on record here and suggest we postpone the gala at church for a bit, regardless of this incident. There are just too many germs around now, and we've gotta keep Quinn as germ-free as possible. Even if no one actually touches him, so many germs are spread through the air. Okay, I've put my "two cents" in!

We're still prayin'!!!

Love, Robin

Anonymous said...

TO THE MIGHTY QUINN. YOUR LITTLE FRIEND IN FRANCE HAS BEEN KEEPING UP WITH HER FAMILY PRAYERS . YOUR A WINNER LET S NOT LET A FEVER GET YOU DOWN . YOU AND YOUR PARENTS AND GRAND PARENTS FRIENDS FROM NEAR AND FAR ARE ALL PRAYING FOR A COMPLETE HEALING . PLEASE GOD LET US TRUST. EVERYTHING IS
POSSIBLE WITH YOU AT OUR SIDE." LE PETIT PRINCE" ON T'AIME GROS BISOUS. KATHLEEN AND FAMILY

Anonymous said...

OPP S . FOR POP . KATHLEEN SAID YOUR VERY BLESSED TO HAVE A GRANDFATHER WHO LOVES YOU SO MUCH AND PRAY'S FOR YOU .

Anonymous said...

Kathleen,
You are special to us also for being such a caring person. We pray for Quinn every day. Hopefully he will get to know you some day. Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers.

Pop

Anonymous said...

Hey Dan,

The Superman t-shirt you're wearing in that last picture is so appropriate. You truly have been a "super man" throughout all of this. And hold onto the shirt for when Quinn's bigger. I think he deserves to wear it one day, too.

Kristin

Anonymous said...

Heavenly Father,
continue to heal Quinn with your healing touch. protect his precious little body from anything that can cause him harm. You are the MIGHTY HEALER and we believe that you can heal MIGHTY Quinn I ask this healing through your precious blood and your sacred heart. Heal and protect Quinn from the tips of his little toes to the very last hair on his cute little head. And bring peace and comfort to his Mom and Dad. Thank you heavenly father. Amen Peace and Continued Blessings The Rosado's

Anonymous said...

Praying for you. Quinn won't let a little fever get him down!

Love
Erin