Erika and Peter headed down to Minneapolis on Monday for the transfusion. Kate and Ellie also came along, because the flu bug got to Grandpa Brian (Poopster) and was still bothering Grandma Barb; They are usually the sitters when Peter is in the hospital, so Grandma Mary took them this time. Ty stayed in Brainerd to run the tryouts for his hockey team.
A transfusion is fairly routine during his recovery and this one has been relatively normal, except for one little wrinkle. The flu bug bit Erika on Monday night. Auntie G was at the hospital when it set in, so Erika was able to vacate and Auntie G stayed overnight. I was able to cover at the hospital today and Auntie G is back tonight. (Clarification: Peter has three aunts named Michelle. So we use their code names, Macer, Meeses, and G. How these names came to be requires three more clarifications.)
We currently have two sick people to report on. Erika is getting better this evening after a hellish 24 hours. She was able to eat a few crackers and that’s always the first sign of recovery with the stomach flu. She should be back at the hospital in the morning wearing a mask.
And Peter, who’s fight will take a little longer, is hanging tough. He came in on Monday with his blood counts bottoming out, with his color resembling the bed sheets more than flesh, and with a slight fever. The staff took a culture to determine if infection had set in and, as of now, it looks as though he’s in the clear. He received the transfusion and has been getting other medications through his IV. His color is coming back and he seemed to gain strength during the day. His fever is gone and vitals are strong. He hasn’t able to eat very much and gags on solid food, but the yogurt, pudding, and ice cream should keep him going. I think they’ll be able to head back to Brainerd tomorrow, but I’m not certain.
It was an eye-opening day for me as a stand-in for Ty and Erika. I’ve spent many hours at the hospital as a visitor, but not as the parental figure. I got to test out my parenting legs a little bit, which are like the legs of a newborn horse, but they kept me upright. That’s the easy part (especially with Peter).
The amount of medical care required is astonishing. It seems like there is something going on almost constantly. The doctors and nurses keep the schedule and perform most of the tasks, but at the very least it requires your attention. It allowed me a taste — albeit a small taste — of what Ty and Erika live daily. When they leave the hospital, keeping the schedule and administering the medications (sometimes against Peter’s will) falls completely on them.
I’m worn down from my day as parent and caregiver and I hardly did anything. It’s obvious to me how brilliant Peter’s real parents are and how much your support means to them and to Peter’s defeat over this “path thing”.
First off, Matt… not only are you awesome with words (you really ought to write a book someday!!!), but you just increased your “Most Amazing Uncle Award” up even higher into the heavens. Erika, Ty, Peter and his sisters are very lucky to have you on their side! Thanks, again, for the incredibly special job you are doing at sharing Pete’s journey with us….
Goodness sake… that stomach flu has really hit your family! 🙁 We will keep our fingers crossed that it’s on its way out! Peter – you hang in their, buddy. Keep fighting and keep your happy, fighting spirit alive, OK! Stay strong for us…. let that medicine continue to work. Guess what, Pete? You aren’t the only one that “gags” on food. We have been trying to slowly introduce Parker to baby food… and he DOES NOT like it! He makes the funniest faces, twists his hands up into little balls, crinkles his nose, spits the food out and gags!! I guess I wil keep re-introducing it…. the kid can’t live on nothing but milk his whole life!! 🙂
We will pray really, really hard that you continue to re-gain your strength and that your counts continue to increase. We will also pray of course, that your mommy is better and that she can eat more than just crackers today! Keep doing all that you have been doing, my friend! You are so incredibly loved… we all love you and miss you and pray vigorously for a full recovery!!
***** HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BABY KATE!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!***
Kate – we are so proud of you, too! We wish you the brightest, most smiley-est day ever. We hope you get to dig into your birthday cake, open lots of presents and have lots of giggles and laughs with your big brother! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet kate. We love you, too!
With much love to all~
Jenni, Ryan, Emily, Lily and Parker
P.S. Erika – Emily says thank you for the magazine order for her school! 🙂
Erika & Ty,
I’m so sorry to hear that you have to deal with the flu bug on top of everything you are going through. While it’s probably the least of your concerns, it certainly must be a nuisance! I think about you two all the time, and the trials you face each day with Peter’s illness. Not to mention just raising three small kids, which is no easy task. Please know that your example is an inspiration to so many of us.
Peter,
I’m glad to hear the transfusions are making you feel better. I remember when my mom and dad were dealing with their own “path thing”, and the blood transfusions always gave them energy and made them feel so much better. It must stink to be poked and prodded all the time, but hopefully you can understand that it’s all for your own good. Everyone wants you to be healthy again. Keep up the good fight little man!
Thinking of you all,
Amy, Rich, Jake, Callie & Kira Peterson
Hi Peter,
We hope that you’re feeling better and that your mom and little sisters are too. Kim and I were suppose to see your grandma Mary yesterday but she sure had her hands full. We’ll get together soon.
Matt, you are certainly a wonderful part of this incredible family. Thank you for all the work you put into updating Pete’s Page.
Ty and Ericka…..you are amazing. We’re hoping to be able to see you all soon……….
Love,
Uncle Ed and Aunt roz
OH MY GOSH!!! What a bummer for you ALL! How unfortunate that you are all being hit; sometimes those bugs just need to work their way through! Thank goodness, no one in our family has been hit 🙂 !
Peter, hope you are able to keep some good foods in your tummy today! You need to be able to eat in order to help you fight that darn old path thing!! We will pray extra hard for you (ALL) today so things start to turn around!! We hope you get to come home today or tomorrow. Bad enough not feeling up to snuff – worse even to have to be away from home!! 🙁
We are looking forward to the benefit at Timbermist on the 26th. We were unable to attend the others, so we are especially happy that one is happening here!! I hope we will get to meet some of the extended family that we have ‘met’ on line!!
Peter – stay strong and keep fighting as hard as you can!! Soon it will be a memory for you all. You are never far from our hearts!
Love,
Papa and Monga
PS – Give your little sister a squeeze for us and wish her a HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY from us!! (a gentle squeeze!!)
Ty, Erika,Peter and family,
I am so sorry to hear that on top of everything you now have the flu to deal with???? I hope you are all felling better soon! Peter, you keep fighting buddy, and do what you can to eat and build your strength. I am sure that it is NOT easy and NO fun most days but that is the beauty of it, the days are passing and you are getting better!!!!!!
Matt,
The posts, the support, the time and the obvious unconditional LOVE that you share is incredible.
Take care, ALL of you!
The Olson’s