From the Hospital.....

Hello blogging friends.  We are in the middle of another "adventure".  I'm typing this post from the children's hospital.  Joy is the patient.  She was admitted through the emergency room Friday night (well more like early Saturday morning) with pancreatitis.  

She has been in pretty severe abdominal pain.  Enough so for her to want to go to the emergency room, which is a huge thing for her considering her phobia of needles.  She has been a trooper though having IVs and blood drawn numerous times.  

An ultrasound has ruled out most of the "normal" things they might expect to see as contributing causes of pancreatitis in children: gallstones, pseudo cysts, enlarged pancreas, or a blocked duct.  Other things that contribute could be familia (family history) which is something we're asking about in relatives, or a recent virus or illness.  As far as we know, none of those apply.  Actually, they have told us that we may never know the original cause and we could have recurring episodes.  The "stomach issues" she has had in the past were most likely related to this (which date back to before we went to China).   

She hasn't been able to eat anything by mouth at all.  She has been on  "nothing by mouth" orders.   Just today they are allowing her to drink water.  Bless, her heart, she really wants to eat. She is so hungry.   Until her pancreatic enzymes come down more and her pain lessens, the doctor won't let her eat.  She has a long list of foods she keeps thinking about.  :)

Her pancreatic enzymes have come down today (one of them from the 1300 range to the 500 range). According to the doctor, until her pancreatic enzymes come down more, and her pain improves, we can't go home.  Today she hasn't had morphine but is still hurting.  I think she's just trying to not get it because she has a very high pain tolerance.  Actually, she is sleeping right now for the first time today, which is a good thing. 

We would appreciate your prayers.  I'll try to keep you updated.

Oh, and Luke is camping out here in the room with us by choice. :) My mom and dad have come to take him home with them many times and he wants to stay with his Joy.  He is "helping take care of her".  He was ready with a tissue to wipe away her tears!  He's been here the entire time and has done so well, especially for a 4 year old energetic little boy.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!  :)