Drama

*I would put up a picture but I'm not sure you want to see him right now. It's pretty sad.*

I'll probably sound like an idiot but I'll try to explain everything as simply as I can.

The past couple days Johnny has been through a lot. Last week he started having trouble breathing and his oxygen needs went up considerably. He was tested for infection but the tests came back negative. Even though everything was negative they started him on antibiotics. He started to improve but on Sunday he took a turn for the worst. He had extreme tachycardia (his heart rate was between 210 and 260 beats per minute, normal is around 150), his temperature was 105, his oxygen needs were at 100% and was put back on a ventilator and because of his heart his circulation was extremely poor making his hands and feet cold and blue and there wasn't a single vein in sight for IVs or central lines. Not good.

Things were really touch and go for awhile. Johnny had a rough couple of days as he endured echocardiograms, EKGs, head ultrasounds, blood draws, blood transfusions, having an arterial line put in (an IV put into an artery, they had to cut his wrist to get it in, luckily he was sedated for it), having a PICC line put in (an IV that goes through a vein up and around by your heart), spinal taps and more meds than I can count. As a mother, I cannot even begin to explain the terror and heartache that I have experienced while watching my son go through this. I hope none of you have to go through what we have gone through. Vaccines are no longer a big deal to me. Which if you know me well is a huge deal.

He is slowly getting better now. His oxygen is around 28-45% and he hasn't had a fever today. He is still on the ventilator and has to be on major sedation to stay calm. The medication he is on to lower his heart rate is working. Even though these past few days have been excruciatingly hard there have been many miracles. The biggest miracle is that he will most likely have since surgery as soon as he is better. I never thought I would ever pray for open heart surgery! I will write more about those miracles tomorrow. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers for our family this weekend. I have been amazed at the outpouring of love and prayers in our behalf. We are eternally grateful for all of you.