A quick update for all my friends and family (those that don't already know) and my blogging buddies as to my recent absence from the blog. My only precious daughter (16 yrs old) came down with the H1N1 virus two weeks ago. After three days of typical flu syndromes it seemed she was on the road to recovery and we could forget about the scare of contracting it. Unfortunately, several days later, her fever returned and we ended up in the back of an ambulance, being transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at our local Children's Hospital. She spent a very long, excruciating week in critical care and I have to say I was scared to death at times that she might not pull thru. Thank goodness, I can now tell you she is home, finishing her recovery in a familiar, comfortable environment.
I've never been afraid of the flu before but I can say from here on out, I will have a healthy respect. The complication of pneumonia is what really took her down. The hospital was full to capacity while we were there, something they said doesn't generally happen until January and it was so sad to see so many very sick kids. The Intensive Care Unit was eerily quiet despite every room occupied ~ most of the kids on ventilators. I said a million prayers during that week and thank all of you who did too. I am hopeful she will continue to improve each day and we won't have to go back. The Brugmansia bloom above was waiting for me in the garage when we arrived home on Sunday. (I put it there before we left to save it from the snow) Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but it seemed symbolic ~ like a ray of much needed sunshine....
Kathleen, I am so glad she is recovering. How scary it must have been for you. I had read that this flu was especially bad for kids, but thought that meant little ones. Thank you for letting us know, hugs to you, Gail
Posted by: Gail | October 19, 2009 at 06:38 PM
Kathleen, I'm so sorry I didn't know about this earlier... I'd have had her on my prayer list for sure!! However, it's wonderful that she's home and recouperating normally again. Hugs to you!
Posted by: Shady Gardener | October 19, 2009 at 08:25 PM
That's terrifying, Kathleen. I'm glad to know your daughter is through the worst of it and on the way to recovery. My daughter caught the H1N1 virus a week and a half ago too, but luckily she had a very mild case.
Posted by: Pam/Digging | October 19, 2009 at 08:27 PM
That must have been so stressful and scary. I so glad to hear that your daughter is at home and recuperating now.
Posted by: Sweet Bay | October 19, 2009 at 08:48 PM
sorry, of course I meant to add I am glad..
Posted by: Sweet Bay | October 19, 2009 at 08:49 PM
How frightening for you! I pray that she will continue to recover and be well soon.
Posted by: Robin | October 19, 2009 at 10:12 PM
Dear Kathleen I so glad to here that she is getting better and that she is home with the family. It is a dreadful flu and that young people get it bad is even worse.xoxo Tyra
Posted by: Tyra in Vaxholm | October 20, 2009 at 02:20 AM
oh Kathleen - I am so glad your daughter is better - how incredibly scary - can't imagine... you will both be in my prayers - xo Alice
Posted by: Alice Golden | October 20, 2009 at 06:32 AM
Kathleen, I just heard on the morning show how dangerous it is when a child begins to recover from H1N1 and then takes a turn for the worse. I'm so glad she recovered completely. Hope you don't come down with it now.
The Brugmansia is lovely. I see symbols in things like that too.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | October 20, 2009 at 06:54 AM
You lived our fears with this flu virus. It is so scary. I am so glad your daughter is home and on the upswing. My heart goes out to you and your family.
Love the bloom of your Brug --what a wonderful welcome home.
Posted by: Janet | October 20, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Oh dear, best wishes for a quick and FULL recovery to your daughter. So sorry.
Posted by: tina | October 20, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Katheleen that must have been so scary. I can't imagine what you and her must have been going through. I'm glad she's on her way to recovery.
Posted by: Catherine | October 20, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Oh wow! What you described is the textbook description of the way H1N1 progresses. I haven't run across a case yet but whenever a student comes into the nurses office with URI symptoms and fever, we have to put a face mask on them and us( nurses) and then have them escorted to an isloation room to wait for their parents to come pick them up from school. So glad Janae is on the road to recovery!
Posted by: Nancy Anderson | October 20, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Miss Kathleen, I am so glad your daughter is recovering. How scary We are just now seeing H1N1 here please know I am sending lots of prayers of recovery to you and yours. And I can send some sun shine for today it is almost as beautiful as your Brugmansia bloom. hugs, Cherry
Posted by: Cherry | October 20, 2009 at 01:21 PM
I'm so sorry she was so ill, but grateful she is finally on the road to recovery!
Posted by: RobinL | October 20, 2009 at 06:36 PM
oh kathleen i'm so sorry. we just got back from seeing chris' dad in the hospital with a very severe case of pneumonia. we weren't sure he'd pull through and although he is better, he is still not out of the woods. pneumonia is so frightening.
hugs to you and janae!
Posted by: wendy | October 25, 2009 at 08:44 PM
Kathleen, I feel so horrible that I missed out on praying for you and her. I have been dealing with some of my own health issues due to my surgery and (non)recovery, so I haven't been hopping around. Just fulfilling my minimums of my DT's as best as I could. I am so glad to see that she's on the mend and that you had such great support at home!!
Again, sincerest apologies, wish I had been there for you, even in spirit! Hugs, Nicole
Posted by: Nicole Anderson | October 26, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I was wondering where you were Kathleen. Sorry to hear your daughter has been so ill, but glad she is on the mend. Take care. :)
Posted by: Racquel | October 26, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Dear Kathleen, I am horrified for what your daughter has been through, and for what you had to go through with her. Oh my heavens. How on earth are we to know that it's H1N1 when they first come down with the flu? The Dr's don't even want kids to go into the office, they say get rest, take tylenol, drink fluids, etc. Now how can anyone really know what to do until it's practically too late? It is so scary, and I am so sorry you've been through all of this!Thank God she is going to be alright. You both will be in my prayers. I know I don't visit much anymore because I just can't seem to get around and have time to do everything else! I just happened to see a note from Anna & had to hop over here immediately! My son & I already got the H1N1 vaccine, but my 21 yr old daughter refuses to get it! She's in college and in the high risk group as well. It really does concern me a lot. I hope she will be completely better now.
Posted by: Jan (ThanksFor2Day) | October 31, 2009 at 08:01 PM