Monday, April 6, 2009

Another Bump in the Road

We had a rough night.  Abbey's fever was consistently high and got up to 104.9.  They were giving her tylenol every 4 hours and that would bring it down a little, but not much.  It stayed over 102 I think the whole night.  She was the sickest we've seen her yesterday. She would only open her eyes to go potty and then for those couple minutes being out of bed, she would cry and ask to be put back in bed so she could lay down. Amazingly, this morning around 9:00a.m. her fever broke for the first time.  It was a huge answer to prayer so for the progress in this area we are thankful.  Since then her fever has come back up a little, but not as high as it was last night.  She is now around 100 so we are praying for it to come back down to normal soon and stay there.  

Last night she had her CT scan around 9:30.  They explained to us that she would have to be very still during the scan and that if she has a hard time being still they would have to sedate her today for the procedure so they could get good pictures.  The scan went great.  She was calm and still and they got great pictures.  The radiologist was gone for the night, but we were assured that we would know first thing this morning what the scan showed.  The resident came in last night and said that she took a look and that she didn't see anything alarming, but that the radiologist would give us a final opinion on what he saw in the morning.

First thing this morning the doctor came in and said that they did indeed see something on the scan.  They are thinking it's a blood clot in her head.  She is scheduled for an MRI at 4p.m. today and they will be able to know for sure what's going on.  She will be sedated for this procedure since it takes longer and can be scary for little kids.  We are nervous about the blood clot, but also thankful that they found it now if that is what it is.  They assured us that if it is a clot, there is treatment to make sure it doesn't get bigger and they said that over time her body will dissolve it.  We feel like they are confident that it is a clot so now we are trying to just stay strong until we know for sure.  We are so happy that we are here in the hospital though and not at home.  If we hadn't gotten admitted yesterday they would have no idea about this new finding in her head.

At the 24 hour check her blood culture was negative, but they will continue to watch it closely and will again see if it's showing anything at 48 hours.  Of course this is great news as of now with the bacterial infection, but we aren't completely out of the woods on this yet.  Her fevers got so high last night that it was alarming.  Yesterday they also did a nose swab to test for RSV and other viral things and it came back clear so that was kind of frustrating.  If it is a virus then there would be something to blame the fevers on so at this point we still don't know why she is having them.  They did tell us that there are many viruses though that cannot be tested for so she may have one of those.   

She did wake up this morning with diarrhea, which yes stinks, but that seems like a virus type thing so in a way it's a relief that she is having some other symptoms other than just fever to point to a virus.  Her bottom is very sore from going potty and she is bleeding there each time I clean her up.  She's having a lot of pain each time.  She also has been having belly pain (cramping and gassy) which again would go along with a viral thing.  She is more awake today and although still feeling yucky we've seen some glimpses of Abbey.  She has watched some cartoons and we've read some books.  So overall we have had some progress in some areas, but now we have this whole new issue with the blood clot which is concerning.

Thank you for the outpouring of love that you all have showed us these last couple of days.  In the midst of this scary time, we have felt loved and know that both Abbey and our family is being prayed for continually by many people.  

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am praying.....

Michelle said...

poor sweet Abbey! i'll be praying that she gets better soon & that nothing else comes up.

blood clots in the brain can be quite serious, but are also quite treatable, so now that they've found it she should be fine. not that it's something to take lightly, but at least it's something that they can definitely resolve relatively easily. i had brain surgery 4 months ago so i'm familiar with such things. ;-)

praying for Abbey & for you as well...

- michelle

Jessie said...

Thanks for keeping us updated. I was thinking about you guys all day. Praying for you all.

Jessie Tress

Beth said...

Keeping you guys in our prayers!!

In a way it is good that you guys were in the hospital and that they found the blood clot! I guess nothing does happen by mistake!

I am so sorry to hear that Abbey feels so crummy! But happy to hear that she wanted to watch some cartoons and read books! Praying that your sweet girls feels SO much better and soon!!

Thinking of you guys!

Pavla said...

Dear Colbert family!
I am praying for you!!!
Pavla, Czech Republic

dana said...

Praying, praying for you...

May God lavish His peace and love on you moment by moment.

((hugs))

~ dana

Amber Schmidt said...

Sending many prayers and hugs from Kentucky!

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear Abbey's fever broke. Praying the MRI goes smoothly, and sweet Abbey is back to herself again real soon!

Gail
Annapolis, MD

Anonymous said...

We're praying for you all here in PA. May the Lord grant you comfort and peace during this tough time.

In Him
-Beth (friend of the Greers)

Amber said...

Poor Abbey! :( It sounds like she has been feeling so miserable. I am continuing to keep her in my prayers.

Andy Gammons said...

Amanda and I have talked a number of times today. We are praying for you throughout the day. This is the body of Christ. There are people all over the world that not only love you guys but love Jesus as well. We are all going before our God on your behalf. Not only us, but we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Thanks be to God!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update...my family and I continue to pray for Abbey and your family.

Unknown said...

We're praying.

Unknown said...

After we prayed for Abbey, Hayley was adamant that I call you (I figured this was a better choice) and tell you that she hopes Jesus keeps you safe on your ride home and that the snow plows take the snow off the road for you...

Anonymous said...

Sometimes it's easy for us to question God when things seem to go the wrong way. Many times I've found myself saying why this now Lord? Yet, in hindsight we begin to fully understand! Oh How we Praise our Omniscient Father! He knew Abbey needed to be surrounded by doctors and have that CT! Praise God that He knows ALL and goes before us directing our paths!

"Lord you have searched me and known me. You know my downsitting and my uprising. You understand my thoughts afar off. You COMPASS my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, you know it altogether. You have beset me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me." Psalm 139:1-5

Praying for Complete Healing, continued direction and wisdom and peace that surpasses all understanding!
Love In Christ,
Dana Burk

Kristen @ Change of Pace said...

I will pray for healing for Abbey and peace of mind and strength for all of you. I have you on my blog list and keep hoping to see a positive blog title. Just keep praying... I have a feeling things will be on the up again soon.

Bekky said...

Praying so hard for you guys! May you feel God's hand on the situation. Praying for Abbey to feel better. Praying for answers of what is causing the fever and a solution to the headaches.

htk said...

We call upon YOU ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER! We bring Abbey before YOUR throne of grace and beg for YOUR help and healing of this precious child of YOURS! O MIGHTY and DEVINE PHYSICIAL we ask for YOU to touch Abbey's body and bring healing to her blood, bones, cells, and flesh. We ask that YOU LORD JESUS touch her and bring a coolness to her body tempeture. Regulate that tempeture and bring comfort and rest to her now LORD.

We also ask for YOUR hand and YOUR SPIRIT to be on Jim and Shelly and give them peace, comfort and rest. LORD BE PRESENT WITH THEM IN THIS MOMENT. I PRAY THEY WOULD NOT ONLY SENSE YOUR PRESENCE BUT THAT THEY WOULD FEEL YOUR TOUCH.

WE PRAISE YOU AND THANK YOU LORD FOR LOVING ABBEY, AND HER FAMILY AND BEING WITH THEM AND THE DOCTORS THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. AMEN AND AMEN!

htk said...

We call upon YOU ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER! We bring Abbey before YOUR throne of grace and beg for YOUR help and healing of this precious child of YOURS! O MIGHTY and DEVINE PHYSICIAN we ask for YOU to touch Abbey's body and bring healing to her blood, bones, cells, and flesh. We ask that YOU LORD JESUS touch her and bring a coolness to her body tempeture. Regulate that tempeture and bring comfort and rest to her now LORD.

We also ask for YOUR hand and YOUR SPIRIT to be on Jim and Shelly and give them peace, comfort and rest. LORD BE PRESENT WITH THEM IN THIS MOMENT. I PRAY THEY WOULD NOT ONLY SENSE YOUR PRESENCE BUT THAT THEY WOULD FEEL YOUR TOUCH.

WE PRAISE YOU AND THANK YOU LORD FOR LOVING ABBEY, AND HER FAMILY AND BEING WITH THEM AND THE DOCTORS THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. AMEN AND AMEN!

Family_Dauk said...

Praying the next scan goes well and the treatment is simple and successful. Also praying for strength for your entire family at this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

I am praying for your sweet family.

Em
from Australia

Melissa said...

Congrats to you for pushing for that CT! Always trust your momma instincts! I am glad to hear her fever is breaking, bummed to hear the viral swabs are all coming up negative, I know that feeling.

Please get them to run a stool culture! We demanded a second one, Josh had one done wednesday and they didn't want to repeat as it was negative. I pushed for it and guess what, this time they found something.

Josh has adenovirus, we are waiting for his CT to hear if that is all he has.

Always always always trust your mommy senses when they start tingling and telling you something is wrong! Don't take no for an answer, keep asking till someone listens!

Keri Bush said...

Thought of you all day. Pray for you each time. Love you, Keri

Kalli said...

Hello,Its unfortunate the blood clot appeared, but things get better from here. Abbey your in my prayers!

Megan Luce said...

Its too bad that she might have a blood clot. I just wanted to say that I will be thinking about her and that I will be praying for her.

Leigh-Ann said...

I am praying so hard for you and your family and especially little Abbey. I know that God will see you through this to the other side when you can look back and see how awesome He is!

Kimee said...

We all love you so much ABBEY, we want you to be the happiest and joyous little ABBEY ever... Praying for God's perfect miracle right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you!

Jen said...

Still praying for Abbey and you all here in Perth (Aust)
Sending much love and hugs and blessings to your beautiful girl!
Jen and Doug and family

Ming said...

To Abigail's parents,

I am deeply touched by the story of Abigail's fight against leukemia.

I live in China and have been working together with a well known Chinese doctor for several months now. He has worked on a leukemia treatment for 14 years and in the last four months I have witnessed 9 patients with various kinds of leukemia being cured.

The medicine is completely made out of Chinese herbs. The medicine is officially still being tested, so we do not have a certificate yet, but as I have written, all the 9 patients we have received since last December have been cured. All of them have improved during the first two weeks of treatment. They have had a routine blood test in the hospital after taking our treatment for one month and all the main blood levels were back to normal. They all went back to their normal lives now. No chemotherapy is needed and there are no side-effects.

Today I had a meeting with the doctor and I told your daughter's story to him. And he is certain that he can cure your daughter.

I sincerely am deeply touched by this story and feel the need to write you this e-mail as soon as possible to give Abigail the chance to be cured. I know trusting someone by e-mail is quite difficult and the results I have written may be quite hard to believe, but after reading about your blog and knowing she needs help I decided to take the chance to reach out to you and help.

We will respect the choice you will make and sincerely hope Abigail will recover sooner. If you choose, at one point, to take our treatment, please contact me as soon as possible.

I hope to get a reply from you soon.

May God bless Abigail.
Best regards.
Ming

Unknown said...

Please know we are covering Abbey (my name buddy) in prayer and you all...Isaiah 40:31, and my favorite for you all--Isaiah 58:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd and gathers the lambs in His arms and gently leads those who have young." Abby:)

Amanda said...

I came across your blog from the Riggs Family Blog and just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for your sweet little Abbey.

Amanda
Oklahoma City, OK

Anonymous said...

Been thinking of and praying for Abbey in central IL.

Anonymous said...

The Posner family is praying for you! :)

Anonymous said...

Abbey, we love you and are praying for you to get better! So glad to hear that nothing has grown in the blood culture, and we are also praying that this is just a "viral" thing that has to run its course. Shelley, I know what you are going thru and I promise you that God is with you and Jim through it A.L.L. Keep being as strong as you are and have been thru these trying times. If you ever need anything at all, please let us know. Abbey will get to maintenance before you know it and you'll be able to put all of this behind you as only a memory. We will continue to pray for Abbey and the rest of your family to stay strong, and to keep encouraged. We know that our girls' doctors are the best and we can only pray for their wisdom to shine thru from the Lord.
~ Nicholle P (Leah's mom)

Beth said...

Abbey is in our prayers today! Hope she is feeling better!

Shawna from Texas said...

My eyes just filled with tears as I read about your beautiful little girl and all that she and your family is going through. I pray that God gives all of you strength and comfort while He is healing little Abbey.

Brittany said...

Praying for Abbey in Holland, Michigan. Look to God for comfort and strength. He will carry you through these hard times. Know that God loves you and your family very much. I hope Abbey is having a better day today! Thinking and praying for you all!

Anonymous said...

Jim and Shelly, Know that the New Life prayer chain is praying for you and Abbey. You are not alone but being upheld by many -- and the Lord himself. We look forward to hearing of progress soon.
Love, Ron and Sue Lutz

Anonymous said...

Always praying in PA!!

Sara said...

Lean Hard

Child of My love, lean hard,
And let Me feel the pressure of thy care;
I know the burden, child, I shaped it;
Poised it in My own hand--made no proportion
In its weight to thine unaided strength;
For even as I laid it on, I said,
I shall be near, and while she leans on Me,
This burden shall be Mine not hers;
So shall I keep My child within the circling arms
Of My own love. Here lay it down, nor fear
To impose it on a shoulder which upholds
The government of worlds. Yet closer come;
Thou art not near enough; I would embrace thy care
So I might feel My child reposing on My breast.
Thou lovest Me? I knew it. Doubt not then;
But loving Me lean hard.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee" (Psalm 55:22).

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7).

April.. said...

I am close to Ohio.. I don't know what part of Ohio you live in but if you are close to me I can try to help you with the other kids if you need some type of help with someone watching them.. I am praying for your little sweetie pie..

If you need to email me about anything you can so at.. adw4376@gmail.com

angela gore said...

Thinking of all of you and praying and praying for little Abbey!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I do not know you, but came across your blog by reading a friends' blog today. The power of prayer is amazing and I will continue to pray for Abbey's health and for your family's strength and courage! God Bless!