One of the worst things a mother or father fears is something happening to their children. In March of 2014, my worst fear had it's grip on our lives.
The year started out with a blizzard. It was the worst winter since 1975 that we'd had here in our little corner of the world. Children were out of school, the roads were all snowed in, and the arctic blast cold was dangerous. My son, like most children, attends public school and passing around colds is just a give-in. Justin hadn't been overly sick, but he had gotten several colds and upper respiratory infections. We had all been casualties of it. In February, he'd gotten pneumonia but it hadn't been bad; he'd just coughed his brains out. We went through the usual round of antibiotics and he had been fine. When March come, he had a few sniffles and complained of his ears and his neck hurting. I thought he was meaning his throat hurt which isn't uncommon when you have a cold. I took him to a doctor (not his pediatrician since I couldn't get an appointment) and the doctor looked him over and said it was an ear-infection and some how he'd gotten a cold sore on his lip. "GREAT!", I had thought at the time, so here we go with another round of antibiotics. He slept a lot during the next day or so but was in good spirits and even played. He never ran a fever, but the day I sent him to school (because he seemed to perk up), I remembered getting him up and he was unbalanced, but I thought it was just because he was groggy. He seemed to be okay other than cranky. No sooner had I gotten home after dropping him off, I was called to come and get him because he had thrown up. Again, I thought it was just because of the mucus drainage and antibiotic. So I went to get him and he was feeling pretty bad. Still there was no fever but he had started crying. By the time we got him home, he was sleepy so I let him sleep. At four in the afternoon that day, his speech was slurred and he screamed in agony. I didn't know what to do. I tried Tylenol but he just would throw it up. My husband texted me, and I told him something was wrong. Something just wasn't right. Justin couldn't lay down without crying and wasn't moving right. I was having to carry him to the toilet and had to hold him up. Mike came straight home and we rushed him to the local hospital. My thoughts? He had strep? He had the flu? When we got him to the hospital, he still was crying out but couldn't speak. He would flay his arms and legs but that was it. He even had a moment where he laughed at his dad when it was time for an urine sample. That was the last laugh we'd hear. They X-Rayed him and CT Scanned him and they still were baffled. It was then we were told that Justin had to have a spinal tap. It was then that the ER doc called Riley Children's Hospital. My heart was beating so fast. Every horrible scenario was going through my mind, especially when the doctors were thinking he had meningitis. Meningitis had been known to kill children his age. He was just nine years old and so small. When the team from Riley got there and looked at him, it was determined that Justin had to be life lined via a helicopter and we couldn't ride with him. Let me tell you that it was the longest car ride of my life. My baby was sick-BAD sick, and I had to leave him. Helpless doesn't even begin to describe what I felt. I think I cried most of the way there. I called my mother in law who lived thirty minutes from Riley and she along with her fella, Ron, got there to meet our little guy since Indy is about two hours away.
When we got there, we were shown to the PICU 6W. A hospital representative of that unit met us. We were told we would have to glove up, gown up, and even wear masks. I was shaking so bad and trying not to get hysterical. There laying on a bed hooked up to IV's and monitors was our boy-my baby. My heart stopped beating. I felt dizzy and I almost felt like I was going to faint but I made it through that initial shock. Justin was still breathing on his own so that was a big plus, but we didn't know how long that small grace would last. Justin was still screaming in agony every 27 minutes. They began running tests. There were so many doctors, nurses, and specialists that met with us. I won't go into what the first spinal tap was like. That's still a horrific nightmare that I hope to never go through again. He had to have two. He also had two MRI's. For six days we met with different specialists and met with his "team" every morning which consisted of Riley's very own Dr.Ackerman, whom we nicknamed "Dr.House". They never gave up on him. Meanwhile during these first six days we were given a room at the Ronald McDonald House across the street and was given access to the one within the hospital. The Ronald McDonald Houses of Riley give parents and families a place to rest, eat, shower, and find a break from the hospital like surroundings. Every night we went we saw different families who had children who were fighting something horrific like cancer, surgeries, procedures, and many other things. They were there from all over and when I say all over I mean there were families who came from other states as well as other parts of the world. Me and my husband, in some weird way felt a kinship with these people because our boy was fighting for his life too.
On the sixth evening, Justin opened his eyes. He still could not speak very well and just moving his hand or squeezing ours was still hard for him. He couldn't sit up just yet. The doctors still had no answers as to what had caused all this other than whatever mystery virus that had hit our son, had caused encephalitis and Justin was lucky. We also found out that Justin has an aneurysm in his brain-but it's very small and had nothing to do with what had happened to him but we will always have to have it monitored. During those six days, we also met with Child Life. Child Life brings toys, art supplies, and creative fun things for children while they are in Riley. Justin got a blanket and throughout his stay there (2.5 weeks) was given toys and bought games to play. None of these things would have been possible had there not been donations. Child Life also helps keep family areas and waiting rooms stocked with books, toys, games, and other fun items. The folks at Riley Hospital and the Ronald McDonald Houses treated us as if we were their priorities. We had nothing but total cooperation and love from them. Last year, I raised a hundred dollars and some food donations for the Ronald McDonald Houses. This year, I want to do more for two organizations that do so much for Riley, their kids, and families.
Jamberry to the Rescue!
Being a consultant for Jamberry Nails has given me and YOU the opportunity to help Riley Children's Hospital's Child Life and Ronald McDonald Houses of Riley Children's Hospital. Jamberry is a company that cares! Through them, each sheet of nail wraps and purchase of Jamberry bought, Jamberry will donate 10% to Riley Children's Hospital's Child Life and Ronald McDonald Houses of Riley Children's Hospital.
Child Life provides brand new toys, blankets, games, gaming systems, electronics, art supplies, and many more fun things to the children who are at Riley. They first ask either the child or parent what they like-what things make them happy and then they do their best to find them. They know that no kid likes being in the hospital and not all hospital experiences are fun and pain free. Many children's only breaks in the battles they are fighting, are the wonderful things that Child Life brings to them.
Riley has two Ronald Houses. One is an in-hospital one. They offer sleeping rooms for temporary use, food-which is free of charge, games, books, magazines, access to phones, televisions, and quiet places for some peace. The second is across the street, and that is where parents and families can actually have a room to stay. Those rooms are on a need basis and are limited. We were lucky to get one. Each of the areas have their own pantries, laundry facilities, and there is one game room. They also have a play ground. Both houses are overseen by volunteers; people who donate their time to stay, clean, and check people in and out. The pantries are filled by donations and the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are hosted from local churches, groups, and even businesses. There is no way that the Ronald Houses would be able to do these things if it was not for donations. Right now the Ronald House across the street are in need of Pack n' Play cribs for those who have babies. Pack n' Play cribs are not cheap. They also have other needs.
Both these organizations; Child Life and the Riley Ronald McDonald Houses need people like YOU to help them keep on helping children and families.
Jamberry is but a small way in which you can help.
If you purchase a sheet of Jamberry Juniors nail wraps (which are hospital friendly since they are chemical free and do not require glue or polish) I will send your Jamberry Juniors with a card with your name on it and you still are making a monetary donation to these great organizations. That's a 2 for 1 right there. Not only do you brighten a little girl's day, but you also are contributing to Child Life and The Riley Hospital Ronald McDonald Houses. Simply purchase the Jamberry Jams and send them to me or you can purchase a $25 E-Gift Certificate and send me the code and I will make sure that your gift is sent with a cheerful greeting card with your name on it.
To donate just click on this link! It's the official fundraiser I am hosting for Riley Children's Hospital's Child Life and Ronald McDonald Houses of Indiana.
Thank you so much for helping! Please spread the word! This fundraiser will run all the way to July 20, 2015. The goal is to raise $400.
Justin is 10 years old and is going to be in the 5th grade this upcoming school year. He is a happy and healthy little boy who enjoys every day! He has no lasting side effects and barely remembers his time at Riley, which is good. He does Tae Kwon Do. We thank God, the doctors and nurses at Riley Hospital, our loved ones, everyone who prayed and thought of Justin on Facebook and in our hometown, Child Life, and both Ronald McDonald Houses. We couldn't have made it through without every one.
