March 28

This is just a quick post to update everyone on the crazy week that we've had here! And maybe request a prayer to kick all this sickness out the door and bring some peace back to the Horsman household :). About ten days ago it started with Charlotte - she was up half the night complaining of a sore ear.

The next day we took her to our doctor and she had a bad double ear infection. We got a prescription and headed home.
About 5 days later Evelyn's cough that had been hanging around seemed to get worse so it didn't surprise us when early Monday morning Evelyn woke up in the middle of the night complaining of a sore ear. She was finally able to sneak in a little bit of rest in the early morning hours and knowing we had to head to clinic first thing I let her sleep. Around 9am us three girls headed to clinic.

Evelyn got blood work done, was checked by the doctor and sure enough had an ear infection. We filled her prescription and headed home.

Tuesday the girls were feeling ok and we even squeezed in some play time with cousins.

 

Unfortunately the feeling good didn't last long - Evelyn's fever returned late that afternoon. She also hadn't had a wet diaper all day and wasn't interested in food or drink. We were a little worried she was becoming dehydrated. Since clinic was closed for the day we packed up and headed to emerge at Mac. Since we are usually stuck in a little room, often for hours, we dropped Charlotte off at her cousin's house. By the time we got to Mac Evelyn's fever had subsided with the help of Tylenol.

She was once again checked over by the doctor and because her blood counts were nice and high (a huge blessing!) and she was finally eating and drinking something we were able to go home.
Wednesday was a quiet day at home. The girls were still dealing with runny noses and coughs so we spent the day at home catching up on housework and rest.

Once again the rest didn't last long because Thursday morning Charlotte woke up with another fever and complaining of a sore throat/ear. Since I had to take Evelyn to clinic for her chemo treatment I dropped Charlotte off at our aunts house until Steve could come home from work to take her back to the doctor. Off Evelyn and I went to clinic. My instincts told me Evelyn seemed a little off and sure enough, I was right - halfway to clinic, while stuck in traffic Evelyn complained of a sore tummy and promptly threw up over everything. I didn't have a change of clothes but thankfully we were minutes from my sister's house where she was able to help out with new clothes, a comfy blanket and a reassuring hug :).

Evelyn felt much better once she was out of the van and in clinic. Her blood work showed that her counts had stayed high and we were still able to go ahead with her chemo.

Yep - those are boy pajamas but we made due and Evelyn was happy with the comfy clothes and this momma was happy that she had anything at all to wear! :).
We got home early afternoon and just as we were settling in to relax Evelyn's fever came back. So as I took Charlotte to her doctor appointment Steve headed back to Mac with Evelyn for more blood work and swabs.

It was determined the antibiotic prescribed to Charlotte wasn't working and was cause for her fever. We got a new prescription and headed home. Thankfully the clinic at Mac was still open so it was a quick visit for Steve and Evelyn and they were home before dinner. We all went to bed praying for a quiet day on Friday. The morning came with no fevers and happier girls :). I received a call from our clinic nurse to say that Evelyn's swab came back positive for entrovirus and rhinovirus - typical viruses and something that just had to run it's course but was the cause of all the return fevers. In children with low immunity fevers tend to come along with the viruses. She informed us that Evelyn's fever may return but reassured us we wouldn't have to go into Mac over the weekend and just to treat it with Tylenol. Evelyn also started another round of steroids on Thursday which we were actually thankful for this time around - the steroids bring up her immune system and help to recover quicker from colds/flus. It has been a stressful and exhausting week but we continued to gain our strength from our Heavenly Father. It was tough but we strived to focus on the blessings in this rough week - the support and help of family throughout the week, the amazing team at Mac and the ease at which Charlotte and Evelyn went with the flow. We know that this is the seasons for colds and flus and this too shall pass! We look forward to warmer weather and hopefully less sickness! :). After that crazy week and dealing with steroids we are having a quiet weekend at home getting in lots of rest and relaxation :).

To end on a positive note - Evelyn usually sits on my lap when she gets her chemo but this past week she decided to sit all by herself and did great! :)

Lindsey and Stephen
Psalm 62:6-8 - "He only is my rock and my salvtion, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hart before him; God is a refuge for us."