Carmichael Corner: Family Update

[first bath]

I've been meaning to update you, but we've been CrAzY busy around here. We found out last week that I might be developing pneumonia, a complication of the c-section. I started having lower right lung pain pretty severely about 12 days ago. After seeing the doctor, I've been prescribed a pretty powerful antibiotic as well as being assigned hourly breathing exercises. The good news is, after the antibiotic and the lung exercises, I am feeling much better. The pain in my lower right lung has dissipated almost entirely, and I've decided not to see the doctor until my next scheduled visit, which is the end of this month. I can't manage another doctor's visit at the moment. We've had to take everybody in the family to the doctor in the last two weeks, and all three of the kids have gone more than once.

We found out on Thursday that Caleb has HSV bronchitis, which a nurse told us is the same thing as RSV. Some of you may already know how serious this is. The visit was supposed to be a well-child checkup and circumcision, but the doctor was so concerned about Caleb's illness, that he postponed the circumcision, telling us gravely of all the complications and possible outcomes of the illness. I walked away from the appointment a tearful mess. He prescribed nebulizing treatments (albuterol and budesonide) for his breathing, along with amoxicillin, prednisolone, neo-synephrine, and several other treatments. He has an eye infection, so we're treating that with an antibiotic as well. The list goes on and on. He's one sick fella. The bronchitis, he contracted from big sister who got it from Daddy who got it from his students. We were both terrified to bring our newborn home to our sick girls, but there weren't a whole lot of options. My OB/GYN assured us that with nursing, he would likely come through it without contracting anything. Unfortunately, she was wrong.

Friday morning, after Caleb was given a full 24 hours of breathing treatments and medicines, the pediatrician listened to his little lungs and said he was well enough for his circumcision, which is a huge praise report. So he's now also mending from that procedure. Poor little guy -- so much to deal with in his short little life already. He's still not out of the water yet with RSV, though; his treatments will run the full course, which is two weeks. We're praying that God restores him to full health quickly, and we're praying that we get enough sleep to make it through the next couple weeks. We're so thankful for both Eric's parents (who were huge helps in the first week) and my parents who've been here almost every day since then, assisting in every way possible. Thank you both so, so much. Words can never express how much gratitude we feel. You are an amazing gift from the Lord during these incredibly difficult hours.

[With Papa and Grandma Carmichael]

[With Papa Bergman]

[With Grandma Bergman]

We also found out on Friday that Abby's bronchitis, which has been hanging on, is beginning to look a little like asthma. The doctor's words were, "Well, we're not calling it asthma...yet." Please keep her in prayer. Developing asthma would feel very much like a crushing blow right now, but we trust in His sovereign plan.