Monday, April 5, 2010

Bella's Healthscare

Well, now that the scare is over, I feel like I should tell everyone about the scare Bella gave us. On Saturday, Bella found a peanut in Jonathan's room. Being the curious 10 month old she is, she put it in her mouth. She choked on it. Kerry called 911 and the paramedics came. They couldn't find anything wrong with her, but upon Kerry's insistence, the paramedics took her to Hinsdale Hospital. The ER doctors proceeded to send her home. She was lethargic and acting strange all day. By the time Jon got home, he insisted that they go back to the hospital. By the time she got back to the hospital around midnight, she was very sick. The ER doctors called Loyola hospital to see if Loyola could accept Bella because Hinsdale was not equipped to handle her. The peanut was lodged into Bella's throat. Loyola's doctor could not make it to the hospital until 2am and the ER doctors said she didn't have until 2 am. So the doctors called Children's Memorial and they would take Bella immediately. Bella was then transported via medivac (helicopter) from Hinsdale to Childrens.

By the time she got to Children's she had been intabated, and the peanut had got into her lung. The doctors at Children's were able to use a scope and go into her lung to extract the peanut. They then discovered that the peanut had torn a hole in her esophagus. By the time Jon called me Sunday morning (when we were on our way home from Florida), he was in hysterics and things were still touch and go. By early afternoon on Easter, Bella's breathing tube was taken out. She was still being fed by feeding tube so that the hole didn't get infected.

Jonathan was being bounced around from different family members and was very confused. By the time we got home last night, there was nothing we could do. Bella was breathing on her own but she was groggy and very upset. They did more tests this morning (Monday morning) with a dye contrast to find out how the hole was closing. The test revealed that Bella was doing well. The hole was closed. The next test was to give Bella a bottle and see how she tolerated that.

Meanwhile, we went and picked up Jonathan from his grandparents and brought him to our house. He talked a lot about how Bella was sick and in the hospital. He desperately wanted Mommy. He was very good for us and we packed a lot into a day while we waited to hear how Bella was.

At 6:30, Jon called to tell me that Bella had been released from Children's! They were on their way to come get Jonathan before they went home. Bella tolerated her bottle and didn't vomit any of it up. The doctors say she'll be hoarse & have a nasty cough for the next few days but she's back to her regular self. She'll go to her pediatrician Tuesday for a follow up but right now things look good.

Our family is grateful for all the prayers for our little girl. Thank you to everyone for all your support. We will forever be indebted to everyone for all the love and support. And just so everyone can see how Bella is, here's a little peak!


3 comments:

Ashley said...

Oh my gosh, I'm so glad she's ok!! We actually heard about this first on Jordan's facebook. I've been thinking a lot about her. I can't believe the first time they sent her home, saying nothing was wrong, and didn't catch that the peanut was still there! And that it got into her lung...that is scary. This was a huge emotional rollercoaster, for sure. I'm very grateful that there is no lasting damage. She seems to be very alert and cute. Babies in hospitals are no fun. I'm glad she's home, and ok!!

Deon said...

KAT! Wow! This is something I'm sure your family will never forget and will forever be grateful for the happy ending!!! I'm so glad that Bella is going to be okay. Doesn't this make you cherish and love her all the more?!!! Oh my goodness. I'm so happy all is well now!

Nicki said...

What a horrible ordeal! I never realized that when a person is choking they can actually inhale the object into their lungs! Poor little girl. I'm glad you guys followed your instincts and insisted that she be taken to the hospital!