My heart just breaks...

Merin (our neighbor) is going through what no parent should ever have to go through. Her daughter, Scout, is 9 weeks old and is sick. And, of course, Kelly (her husband) is in Guam.

History: Scout has a history of not gaining weight (aka, failure to thrive) and the doctors diagnosed her with reflux. She was Zyrtex, but didn't do well. So, they switched her to Prilosec (1/28) and started her on a special formula (thinking that maybe there is something in Merin's diet that Scout can't handle in her breastmilk) and she had put on five ounces. Everyone was elated that Scout was gaining weight. Merin took her in Friday (2/1) to have her checked because she had a cough and snuffy nose. Merin wanted to make sure it wasn't RSV or anything else. While she was at the doctor, they reminded her that Scout needed her shots. So, Scout received her vaccines.

Friday evening, Scout spiked a fever of 103. She took Scout into CHKD Friday night. The doctors and nurses there are wonderful. They did all kinds of tests... from a spinal tap to lots of bloodwork. Scout was admitted and put into a room about 2 am. (I had gone in to be with Merin and bring her stuff from home and stayed until they were setteled.) Scout had an IV and the nurses were wonderful about trying to make both Scout and Merin as comfortable as possible. The initial labs showed very low electrolytes and anemia. However, Scout had not eaten well Friday.

Merin's mom, Jody, flew in Saturday. She had planned to visit even before any of this happened, so it was perfect timing. We picked Jody up at the airport and took her and Mya to the hospital for a visit. The doctors said that Scout had a urinary tract infection and the antibiotics seemed to be working. Scout's fever broke Saturday night and remains normal.

I went to visit Merin again on Sunday morning. She was exhausted. She had gotten some sleep, but it wasn't enough. Scout seemed a little improved and her temperature was normal and her electolytes were normal. Her color was better, but she was still quite agitated. Merin came home to sleep Sunday night. When she returned to the hospital Monday morning, the nurses told her that Scout had managed to get the IV out of her arm and they had put one in her foot which she also had kicked out. (She is a fiesty little girl!) So, they decided to put in a pick line (I don't know if that is how you spell it?). They also were going to do an ultrasound to check her kidney function and do genetic testing because the lack of weight gain.

I visited Merin Monday night and took her some wonderful food from our neighbors. Scout looked good. She had been eating and sleeping all day, and was so peaceful. I left with a very happy heart and hope that she would be home Friday.

This morning Jody told me that the doctors met with Merin. They have found lactic acid in Scout's bloodstream. That, along with her lack of weight gain, makes them suspect liver disfunction. I know that they have to tell her everything and prepare her for the worst, but they haven't given much hope for a happy outcome. In Jody's words, "Merin is freaking out." Well, I think that I would be freaking out too!! As of now, I have no more information. I am saying a prayer and trying to stay hopeful...