Dear Family, Friends, & Prayer Warriors,
LIGHTS, SIRENS, ADRENALINE!
As promised, Dad and Mom are letting me write the next update, but I have a
sneaking suspicion they didn’t anticipate it would be quite this soon. I
have missed you all, and wanted to say, “Hi”!
This past Saturday night, April 26,
was quite the experience. It was unlike any event I have ever experienced
before at least. Many people tell me I have endured more than most kids
my age and Saturday night was no exception. About 12:40 AM my apnea
monitor alarmed. While it is common for my oxygen monitor (Mr. Pulse Ox)
to alarm from time to time, it is not normal for my apnea monitor to alarm. The
apnea machine monitors my breathing and heart rate while I sleep at
night. Because it never alarms, Daddy and Mommy both jumped out of bed
immediately to come check on me when it started alarming. Upon entering
my room, they found that my heart rate was extremely low and I was not
breathing. They quickly tried to change my position and pat my back to
make me breathe, but unfortunately this did not work. Mommy laid me on
the ground and starting breathing for me by performing mouth-to-mouth (Daddy
said this was the “Kiss of Life” from Mommy) while Daddy ran and called the
ambulance. The ambulance and fire engine came racing down the road with
lights and sirens while adrenaline was racing through Daddy and Mommy. I
started breathing on my own right before the firefighters came in my
bedroom. They were all really nice and very concerned for me. They
helped disconnect me from my monitors and food pump before I took my third trip
in an ambulance! I needed to go to the hospital to see why I stopped breathing
and my heart slowed.
After many tests and only two
needle pokes (which testifies Jesus was watching over me because it normally
takes multiple needle pokes) they started an IV and tested my blood to try to
find out why this all happened. After receiving the results of these tests,
my family continued to teach me about animal facts. The doctor said I had
the rhino virus. I don’t know why they called it this, because I don’t
have a horn on my nose and I’ve never been to Africa!? People at the
hospital did say I have grown a lot, but rhinos are HUGE. Although it
sounds scary, I was relieved to learn the rhino virus is really just the common
cold. The nice doctors and nurses explained that in some kids, the common
cold can cause bigger problems. Low and behold…I’m one of those
kids.
After spending two nights in the hospital without any difficulties, they
released me from the hospital Tuesday afternoon. Gee, it feels good to be
home! Mommy asked Daddy if we could have a family sleepover in their room
last night with me in my pack n play. Daddy agreed, so we had a fun
sleepover. My parents kept a very close eye on me, so close it even woke
me up sometimes. Please pray that we can all get restful sleep now that I
have returned home. Please pray for peace and comfort for Dad and Mom as
I think I scared them a little (Mommy just said I scared them A LOT
actually!!). Please continue to lift before God my previously arranged
appointments on Friday with the vision doctor and for my EEG test. Unless
I am feeling sick, we are planning to make our road trip to Madison for my
doctor appointments.
Thank you for all the continued thoughts and prayers and for providing a
support system to my family. It is so nice to be the one writing this
update as I missed talking to you. I think Dad and Mom now understand
that sometimes a girl has to take extreme measures to get her way (He
He!). Praise be to God for the fact that I am writing to you now.
We know it was truly a miracle that I began to breathe again on my own. I
am so thankful God is still writing my life story. I will keep you
informed on what we find out on Friday in Madison at my appointments.
Hope you have a great day and please thank Jesus for your health and every
single breath you take today.
Love,
Adalynn
