When It Rains...

 

Obviously, Mini Mayhem just couldn't get enough of the hospital life and decided to return and stick around again. If you ask me, it's the hospital gowns. I think she likes them. But in all seriousness, we were working on getting her breathing issues under control and what does she do? She throws in a fever for good measure. Classic, true, Mayhem fashion. It's like she's trying to make sure these residents and fellows keep thinking out of the box and don't get bored. Maybe she's fishing for some VIP treatment or something. Whatever the reason, we're all eagerly awaiting her next dramatic health update with bated breath (pun intended).

The unknown reason for the fever prompted a huge work up.

She was negative, within normal limits or clear of any issues on the following:

Echocardiogram

Ultrasound of Karla

Chest Xray

Head & Neck Xray

Capillary Blood Gases

CBC

Basic Metabolic Panel

Blood Culture

38 different virus variations

HOWEVER, it appears that her urinalysis results weren't exactly winning any beauty contests. In fact, they were downright ugly! The urine culture also decided to chime in and confirm the presence of some unwanted bacterial guests. She had IV antibiotics yesterday and again today. So, we are over here multitasking, fighting a UTI along with the BiPAP machine and breathing concerns. All part of this unpredictable journey! She needs a bronchoscopy but because of the fever she has to wait on it.

She tried out a new BiPAP mask two nights ago that looks like a scuba accessory. I guess you could say she is making waves in the sleep apnea world. 🤣🤣🤣 She’s done decently well with it both nights. I am holding out hope that it's not because she feels bad, but rather because she's just not bothered by it as much. I am going to be positively fuming if she even thinks about attempting to disassemble this mask and tubing when we get home. Let's just hope she values her hands being free at night and opts against wreaking havoc.

There were three respiratory therapists in in here last night and I asked them if they had any suggestions to help keep the tubing from easily disconnecting from the mask because I had tried multiple things with no luck. Two of the RTs just stood there, and one responded with "Tuck her hands in under the bed sheet." Yea, ok thanks, because I would have never thought of that or the fact that she would move her arms from under there before I could leave her bedroom!

I will say that this stay has been much better than the last one. Thank goodness for small blessings because let me tell you, I couldn't have handled another round of the last hospital stay. It was like being trapped in a bad episode of Doogie Howser, M.D. I don't think I could have handled a re-run.

I am not sure when we will go home. She has to stay at least 48 hours from starting the antibiotics which will be 2 PM tomorrow. ENT was supposed to come by today and didn't so they should be by tomorrow. Feel free to stay tuned for more action packed hospital escapades with Mini Mayhem, the resident hospital drama queen.