After 5 days in the hospital, 3 IV’s, 4 x-rays, 4 lab-draws, 20 or so rounds of IV antibiotics, too many visits from doctors and nurses to even remember, we’re home from the hospital. And after 16 days of a persistent fever, more doses of Ibuprofen and Tylenol than I care to count, vomiting, coughing, not eating …. Kaden’s definitely, finally on the mend! Halleluiah.
While we were in the hospital, Kaden was diagnosed with Necrotizing Pneumonia, preceded by an Influenza virus and Staph Pneumonia. He was also suffering from mild dehydration. Necrotizing Pneumonia is an ugly disease and a quick google search can tell you more about it, but basically it is a life-threatening pneumonia that causes the death of lung tissue and causes puss pockets in the lung that are super tough to fight with oral antibiotics. Interestingly, it is often caused by the aspiration of a foreign object, but his doctors don’t think that Kaden’s illness had anything to do with his peanut incident in September.
Honestly, there were points when I thought Kaden was dying. I cried an awful lot during this experience. When we were finally admitted to the hospital I actually felt a great deal of relief that finally his treatment was out of my hands and onto the next, best level. They say no one wants to be at the hospital, but I really did. And it is odd to say that I miss it?? Before I flood you with photos from our time at Randall Children’s Hospital I’d love to share some of the blessings we experienced …
- We had the most fabulous, brand-new room all to ourselves. It had a wall full of south facing windows that overlooked downtown Portland. A photographer’s dream for sure.
- Kaden’s nurses and doctors were consistent. We saw the same ones over and over and they knew his situation inside and out. They were thorough, thoughtful, and sensitive to this overly-tired mama and baby team.
- They repeatedly told me that Kaden sounded so much better than he should have. And that we was not nearly as sick as he should have been for this type of pneumonia.
- I received so many prayers and emails from friends – some I know and some I don’t! I was deeply touched by each person who lifted Kaden up in their prayers and by those who kept in touch to check on Kaden’s progress.
- My mom was able to come back down from Seattle to care for our boys so Matt could be with us at the hospital and then start a new job. Between her and my mother-in-law my boys were so well cared for that I could solely focus on Kaden’s treatments and recovery.
- I had about 22-hours straight of cuddle time with Kaden, with nothing else vying for my attention. How can I complain about that?
- We were released 2 days earlier than they really expected. Kaden’s Sunday morning labs and x-rays showed so much improvement that they felt confident that oral antibiotics could take care of the rest of the infection, from home.
- I was a bit sad to leave the hospital. I never at any point while there wished to leave because I saw how much Kaden was benefiting from being there. I miss his doctors and nurses and deeply regret not being able to give each of them a hug and say ‘thank you’ for saving my baby’s life.
- Please know … GOD worked through these doctors and nurses and medications to save Kaden. All glory is given to Him.
On to the photos … taken from Wednesday to Sunday, and shown in order …
Now that we’re home, we have to continue with 10 more days, 3x a day of nasty antibiotics and he as 2 follow-up appointments that I’m looking forward to. He’s slowly getting his strength, appetite and humor back!
Thank you again for your prayers and concern for Kaden! Truly the Lord heard and answered our prayers!
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Haha! No, Jes, not at all! I’m still dreaming of those windows, wondering where I can install some in my home!
So glad he is home and is on the mend!
P.S. Is it wrong to say that I want to set up a studio in that hospital room?
Oh Lacey! God is AWESOME!!! You documented this time in your life perfectly <3. You brought out my every emotion. Laughing at some images. Crying as I looked at others. Simply in awe at each and every one of them. Your sweet family has been in my thoughts and prayers every single day. Praying for strength, healing, and comfort. I will continue to do so. Thanks be to our GOD!
Thank goodness he’s doing well! What a cute little darling he is. And I know he must have been thrilled to see his brothers!
Oh Lacey. I have a little one just months apart from Kaden. These made me so teary eyed! I can’t imagine the roller coaster you and the family have been through. SO glad to hear Kaden is home and on the mend. God is good!! Thank you so much for sharing.
Oh my sweet friend. I have been praying for you and your beautiful family and praise God that your little guy is on the mend. The way you are able to see God’s hand in it all (including that amazing light in that room–what a sweet gift from God) is inspiring. You are an amazing mommy and Kaden is blessed to have you. You all are still in my prayers and he continues on his road to health.
I’m so glad you are able to take him home; I prayed for you! You got some great pics and I love that one with his tongue out. He’s definitley getting his humor back huh? You are lucky to have had such great doctors and nurses. It sounds like they were really on top of everything.
So thankful Kaden is doing better, we will continue to pray for his complete recovery. We love you all so much and send lots of hugs!
From heartbreaking to heartwarming!!!
PRAISE THE LORD you are all home and that Kaden is doing so much better!!!
God is so good!
Get some rest!!!
~Rebecca
I am so thrilled to see these! The progression and light in his eyes is neat to see, just how much better he looks as the pictures go on. God is so faithful to answer our prayers and comfort us in our times of need. I have really been praying for you! Kaden looks very similar to my little son Noah who is just a few months older so it was especially emotional looking at these. Continued prayer for complete healing! He is worthy of all praise!
I have tears streaming down my face! Thank you for sharing and allowing us to share in what must have been a very difficult week for your family. Hooray that your sweet little one is finally home and surrounded by his loving family!
Lacey, I am so sorry your sweet baby boy was so very, very ill. It’s such an incredibly scary thing to worry about your child’s survival. We had a scare like that when Anna was three, complete with a crash cart and code. It was horrific. I’m sure you are exhausted to the bone and overwhelmed with real life at home. I’m so glad you documented this journey in the hospital and I hope this is the absolute worst thing Kaden ever has to go through. He is such a beautiful child. Your photos are exquisite. That one with the Popeye’s cup and his little tongue… oh I melt. And your view was wonderful! The flowers symbolize so much hope and I was moved to tears reading this post. Huge hugs, sweet Lacey. <3
These brought tears to my eyes – so glad he is ok!!!
wonderful post all around. YAY YAY YAY. your images are amazing. big hugs to your family, Lacey.
I am so glad to hear your good update! I have been praying for you and your family and so glad to see his smiles at the end off this series! I can only imagine as a mother all the emotions you have been going through. Continued prayers for all of you!!
Praise God!!! So glad Kaden is on the mend, praying the antibiotics will take care of it completely. Take care!!
Praising God with you that Kaden is on the mend!
Lacey, I’m so happy to hear that Kaden is improving and was able to go home. These images made me teary. You have such a wonderful knack for making the ordinary look extraordinary. Hugs to you and prayers for Kaden’s speedy recovery.
I’m so happy he is home and doing so much better. How scary – I can’t even imagine the roller-coaster you have been on. The photos are just beautiful! Hopefully he is back to his old self soon!
Crying tears of joy here! You did an amazing job of capturing the details and telling the story – I could feel it. So, so, so, so, happy that this heartache is over.
Praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy
So many of us have been following this story and praying for all of you. I am so, so happy to know that Kaden is on the mend. These images you have captured are so touching — you have a special gift for storytelling and for making your viewer feel like they are right there with you. <3
That poor baby had quite the experience. I’m so glad he is doing better and at home now. The way you documented this brought tears to my eyes, Lacey. You have such a beautiful family.
So glad he is recovering Lacey. Your photos are a beautiful document of his time there.
Cutest patient ever! So glad you are home!
I am so glad he is home now! So beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.
I am so happy that you guys are home:-) God is so good and through all of this we see that he is the Almighty Healer. Praise God for Kaden’s restored health! Now we just need to get Miss Ellie over to see him. Every other phrase is “Kadey Kade Go?” Then I proceed to tell her “Home!” which then she responds, “Cooper? Gage? Sacey? Matt?” Then we start over with “Kadey Kade Go?” I think she just needs her fix! Love you guys
SO good to see the smile back on his face! Praying for a complete healing with no recurrences EVER! Love you all :0)
So glad that you are all home and that he is feeling so much better!!!
Oh Lacey I am so happy that he is home and on the mend! I have been so worried about you all!! I am glad that you can all recover at home now! Hugs for Kaden!!!!
Lacey~ So happy to read this post and to learn you are all home and Kaden is on the road to recovery!! I’m glad your mom was there to help you and you were able to stay with Kaden during his hospital stay…..I think that’s so important and believe it helps in their overall wellness.
I was up at Emanuel several times last week…..too bad I didn’t know you were up there…I could’ve brought you lunch!
Love all the photos and the children’s ward looks amazing! Hoping Kaden continues to improve at a rapid rate and everyone remains healthy from here on out! ♥
Praise God!! That’s all there is to it! Oh, and pull-out couches in the rooms? Genius.
What gorgeous images these are, every single one of them! I am so grateful and relieved that things are so much better for you now… I hope he will be his old happy self in no time!
I am so glad you guys are home! Even though this was a trying time, these photos will be great memories for generations to look back on to tell a story that ended so well. I love the little doctor one of him checking his stuffed animal! So adorable! Yay for Kaden!
I am soo happy for you all that he is recovering and is on his way back to full health! That must have been a truly terrifying experience.
Lacey, thank you for sharing this. I am so glad that Kaden is doing well! You are so right… Glory be to God! You are an inspiration to me, and I know this crazy journey has a far reaching purpose.
WOW! I am so glad to hear he is better! I have been watching for news on CM. This post made me tear up for 2 reasons, as a mom I know how absolutely terrified you must have been and your ability to capture beauty in ANY situation is such a gift! The pictures are wonderful and some day he will really be so thankful to have a momma who documented everything! Thank you for sharing and enjoy your time at home!!
Beautiful, touching pictures. tfs! glad u r home!!!
Lacey, these photos have me all choked up. I’m so thankful your gorgeous little boy is on the mend – he is such a stunning little boy! These photos are full of love + are so emotional. Thank you for sharing what must have been one of the worst weeks of your life! Take care Kaden! xxx
I am so so happy to hear he is home. I know he will be so happy to be back in his house and will continue to feel much better.
Oh Lacey, I’m overjoyed that your baby is home and recovering, how beautifully you documented it. I’ve been thinking of you every day since he was admitted and I know that this must be such a huge relief. Hugs to you and your whole family. <3
These pictures are remarkable and heartbreaking all at the same time. I’m so glad that he’s on the mend! ♥