Thursday we bypassed our regular ER and went to our children’s hospital. She’d spent the better part of Wednesday sick and in the ER and Thursday brought no change. It was no surprise we’d find ourselves admitted after speaking with the transplant coordinator a few times during the day.
On Thursday, around midnight, while the ER team at Children’s was working on an admit to the transplant floor, the ER doctor from Kaiser called me to let us know that the blood culture they’d ordered had grown positive. Like a hot potato, I handed my phone over to the ER general peds doc so the care team would now know what it was but not yet how to fight it. That came on Friday night after 24 hours. She’s had two rounds of the super drug to fight the superbug. She finally started to feel a bit better late Saturday, and unless something drastic changes, we’re hopeful she will be out today, her birthday.
Antibiotic. Fluids. Pain meds. Repeat.
We’ve confirmed her kidney is safe, her numbers back to normal after a scare of an infection in her bladder, kidney, then blood. Happy Birthday to Q’s kidney, on it’s 10th year inside her and to its 18-year-old now owner. Cheryl, Q’s kidney donor, stopped by to say hello and we were able to introduce her to the team. We are in the room across the hall where she recovered from her kidney transplant 10 years ago after her ICU stay.
It’s been a full circle kind of stay.
While we’ve been able to avoid a hospital stay, Q has had her share of ER and doctor visits and intervention. Many rounds of antibiotics, some office surgeries, among regular teenage ailments. I would say Q is considered lucky if there were a form of measurement somewhere with a yellow caution light beside it for organ recipients who get their donated organs in their youth.
She’s grown weary after a couple of months of illness (we do wonder if this superbug started to reveal itself July when she had that month-long illness that was so mysterious to everyone). No wonder she is weary. She had ear surgery four times, a few rounds of antibiotics, and a least 45 days of not feeling great.
We canceled her 18th birthday dinner with a few friends for last night and her massage for today in lieu of a dinner of her choice, either out or in tonight. When you feel as deeply as she does – and she really does – you feel the bad and sad as deeply as you feel compassion and empathy or joy and relief. This is what normal looks for her life. While she still sometimes struggles to make peace with her “lot in life” she fights pretty hard to live it…she always comes back to a place of peace.
We are amazed by her daily.
Happy 18th Birthday Quinn… our smart, compassionate, resilient, gorgeous daughter. May your 18th year be a joyous one.
So beautifully written Julia, my love to both you and Quinn. I hope she has a wonderful birthday and that she continues to always centre herself in that place of peace … and I hope you go there with her.
Happy Birthday Quinn! You’re a bigger hero than all the super heros on Kick Ass & Kick Ass II! It totally sucks being in the hospital on birthdays, holidays, etc. Christas was the very worst time to be in for us. But, we had a large support system of friends and Duke was allowed to visit Randall’s hospital room anytime since they had private rooms at his hospital. I’m glad you’re on the mend!
Happy birthday beautiful girl and a hug to your mama!!
You bring me tears Julia, you’re each and all so courageous, I know by necessity and that does not minimize it. Celebrations while admitted are extra sour (I say with plenty of experience of course). And, celebrating Quinn’s 18th birthday, regardless of where, really is and deserves a tremendous celebration- even if just in the heart. Love you guys, hugs for Quinn, hang in there team 💕
I wish there was a different reason to bring you back to the blog.
Happy bday Q.