Before I had even left the island, the doctors had me on the phone giving consent for them to take Coop into the operating room for exploratory surgery! Before I even arrived at the hospital they had identified the problem, he was incubated and he was in Pediatric ICU. Cooper had what is known as Epiglottitis - (here is the medical term)
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing. When it gets infected and inflamed, it can obstruct, or close off, the windpipe, which may be fatal unless promptly treated.
Here is what Coop's epiglottis looked like....
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits at the base of the tongue that keeps food from going into the trachea, or windpipe, during swallowing. When it gets infected and inflamed, it can obstruct, or close off, the windpipe, which may be fatal unless promptly treated.
Here is what Coop's epiglottis looked like....
Thankfully Melissa had driven me there and knew what to expect so I would be prepared...I don't think anything could have prepared me to see my little boy like this...
Cooper was in the PICU until Friday night! God saw me through all of this in so many ways...My parents arrived the next day , Nate was helicoptered off the ship Thursday night, and we had the most amazing care during our stay. My favorite nurses were Mark and Lindsay! They were with me the first night and I requested them the second night... I wish they had supernatural powers where they didn't sleep because I would have loved to have had them take care of Coop during the day! I couldn't have asked for better nurses for Cooper - they not only explained everything to me that was going on, from the beeps that seemed to go off everywhere in the room, but explained all his medicines, and gave info on his progress. What an incredible gift they both have for taking care of children... We were truly blessed to be under their care!!
Friday morning the breathing tube came out and all there was to do was wait for him to wake up...
As soon as he did he was back to his "trademark"..
Nate arrived later that morning ( Nate had to be in the gowns because Coop also tested positive for RSV) When Cooper saw Nate he asked him why he was a doctor!!
By Friday evening we were moved to the regular floor....by Saturday Coop was on the road to recovery!!! He learned quickly that he could have ice cream, milkshakes, and snacks whenever he wanted!!
By Sunday we were all ready to get out of the hospital... we were going CRAZY!!!
Coco sent Coop a package....his first dog!!! He was sooo excited!
We had to have a talk with Coop to remind him that he when he got home it wasn't going to be like the hospital....milkshakes three times a day wasn't the norm!
By Tuesday morning, we were all cleared to go! The bacteria in his blood was identified as a strain from the H virus and we could finish up our medication at the Naval hospital! I think Coop was the most excited about going home!
We couldn't have made it through this difficult time without all the love and prayers from sooooo many people everywhere!!! Thank you to Bryan and Melissa for coming to get Connor and taking care of him, Beth for being there when Cooper was taken in the helicopter, Melissa for driving me to Children's, and Brandi for taking Connor too!!! A huge thanks to my parents for dropping everything to be here to help us.... we couldn't have done it without you!!
We are so thankful to God for Cooper's recovery and it is the best feeling to see him back to his normal self - he definitely is making up for lost time of not being able to talk!!!
6 comments:
Oh my gosh, so sad to see the pics of him so sick, but so glad that he is better! He is such a little comedian, we love that guy...can't wait to see you soon!! :)
okay so I am balling right now. Janelle, I cannot imagine having seen him like this. I was so refreshed to see the adorable smiling Coop by the end of the photos. I so wish I could have been there for you through all of this. Praise God Coop is on the mend!
I'm so glad you guys are home and that Coop has recovered! I can't even imagine what that would have been like. You know what I think he would like?.....a frozen almond roca mocha from Whidbey Coffee. Oh, wait a minute, that has espresso in it. Better stick to the regular milkshakes:o)
My goodness that was certainly an adventure which of course happened while Nate was out. That is the Navy way you know. I'm so glad they could get him home and that you had such awesome support while Coop was at Childrens. Does Coop remember his helicopter ride as fun or terrifying?
Andrea
Crying...i thought it was hectic when little daniel shoved cat food up his nose and i couldn't see it! ugh, so glad to hear that cooper is on the road to recovery...i think the "Thompson" girls need to come for a visit in the near future!!!!
Oh my....you are so strong to have held up like you did! Little Coop...poor little guy...glad that he is better and all is back to "normal" whatever that may be!
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