Every Parents' Nightmare

So Madelyn and I were on the road with some friends heading to Tuscaloosa for a gymnastics meet - the Crimson Classic.  About an hour outside of Memphis I texted Clint to check on Aubrey.  He said her fever was down to 101, so we both felt optimistic that she was doing better.

Another 2 hours went by and I text him again.  This time he replied that her fever was back up to 104.5 and he wasn't able to give her more Advil for another 2 1/2 hours so he was getting her ready to go to the Dr.

About 20 minutes goes by and I get this picture with a note that reads "Possible pneumonia.  They are doing a x-ray after the breathing treatment"

That is NOT what you want to see when you are hundreds of miles away from your child!!  While I was definitely concerned, I assured myself that she couldn't POSSIBLY have pneumonia!  I mean, she cheered just 5 hours earlier.  Besides, I have had pneumonia several times, and I know how painful it is.  Aubrey had not complained once about her chest hurting or anything like that.

About a half hour later we were pulling into the hotel when my phone went off again.  As I stepped out of my friend's truck I glanced at my phone and saw the following message from Clint "Ambulance is on the way, she has to go downtown.  Flu and pneumonia.  Starting iv now"

I was so shocked, I literally tripped over a curb as I was walking and caught myself on a trash can.  I told my friends what the text said, and was visibly upset.  Madelyn got upset because I was so concerned, so my friends whisked her away with them while they checked into the hotel so I could call Clint.

We agreed that I would stay in Tuscaloosa with Madelyn until her meet was over.  After all, we were to be gone only 24 hours.  I didn't completely understand why they were sending her to the hospital anyway.  Clint told me her oxygen was low, but really didn't give me any details.  I thought that they would do another breathing treatment, maybe give her some IV antibiotics and send her home.

I found out several days later that when Clint took her into the LeBonheur minor medical place, they checked her oxygen levels and it was only at 78.  The lowest "acceptable" level is 92, so they called the ambulance before even starting the breathing treatment or doing an x-ray.  I'm glad Clint didn't tell me every detail or I would have really had a heart attack!!!!!!!!!!

I called my mom to tell her what was happening, and she must have quickly called my brother.  He called me in Alabama to tell me just say the word and he would leave to pick me up from Tuscaloosa and bring me home.  That seemed like a waste of 7 hours to me at the time.  All of my gymnastics friends were absolutely FABULOUS.  My friend Sharlinda offered to let me take their truck, and her husband Chris told me that he would drive me home whenever.  Everyone was praying immediately, and trying to keep me calm.  I told Clint and everyone else to text me rather than call, and not talk much about it around Madelyn.  I didn't want her to worry, and this was supposed to be our fun girls weekend!!

My friends Rindee, Kim and I, along with our girls, went to a little store that was closeby and went to eat dinner at Logan's.  They did a great job of distracting me, and Clint only texted me with few details.  I knew they had her in a trauma room, and would certainly spend a few days at the hospital.  He told me then that her respiration level was only 86.  What he DIDN'T tell me, was that was her respiration level WITH an oxygen mask. 

As the evening went on they started Aubrey on IV antibiotics and tamiflu and admitted her to LeBonheur.  They told Clint she had pulmonary distress due to the pneumonia.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and Rindee, Kim, and several other moms took the girls to the hotel indoor pool.  This gave me a chance to go up to my room and cry, pray and generally FREAK OUT.  I was torn.  We are parents to 2 kids, so I felt guilty leaving Madelyn and felt guilty that I wasn't there for Aubs.  I felt sorry for my amazing husband, who was having to deal with all of this by himself. 

As the girls came back into the room from swimming and began to get ready for bed, Clint texted me that they were out of trauma and going into a room on the 11th floor.  I felt a little better as it seemed that the situation was not critical at all.  Madelyn and her friend Kyrrin settled into bed, and Rindee and I sat up just talking for several hours, until about 1am.  Needless to say I wasn't able to sleep.  I kept waking up thinking it had all been a bad dream until I opened my eyes, saw the hotel room and knew it was a reality.

Next thing I knew my cell phone was ringing at 5:15am.  I answered and Clint was just crying.  Through the tears he said, "They're moving her to the ICU.  They can't get her breathing controlled."  I simply said "Ok" and we hung up.  I immediately called my brother, who answered quickly and told him to head my way.  I also texted Sharlinda and told her to meet me in the hallway.  She ran out into the hall, where I just hugged her and sobbed.  She told me to get my things and they were driving me home.

I talked to Rindee and she assured me she would love on Madelyn and send me tons of pics and videos.  I woke Madelyn up to tell her that her sister was worse, and I had to leave.  She cried.  It was heart wrenching, but I knew I had no choice but to go be with Aubrey.

By 5:30 Chris and I were on the road driving towards Memphis and Clay was heading towards Tuscaloosa.  We ended up meeting in Tupelo and I was at LeBonheur by 9:30.  I ran into the hospital room, kicked off my shoes and jumped in the bed with Aubrey.  When she saw me, she cried.  So did I....