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Posted by esther on April 08, 2002 at 13:49:27:
In Reply to: Esther, Please email me. n/p posted by EJ on April 05, 2002 at 08:18:07:
: : Firstly, let me say that I have missed you all so much on this forum. Not being able to log on has been devastating, since the forum always offered a bright spot of hope in life, on top of excellent advice and tortoise empathy. I have wanted to write but it has seemed so hard. Chanel and Albrecht are well, but depressed as they reside mostly in the basement during our recent turmoil.
: : Baby Thomas was born and had a lovely first 7 weeks, growing enormous and happily and healthily. Everything changed to blackness on February 17th, when he was admitted to the ER for extreme viral infection. The virus (and nobody still knows which one it was) delt an enormous hit to his little system, and he has now been on death’s doorstep 3 times. It still seems like only yesterday he was healthy and cooing in Lisa’s little green outfit with turtles on his toes, and now he is in the hospital with a tube down his nose and an extended time IV (like for the next year) coming out of his chest. He can no longer eat and gets fed through the IV for nutrients in TPN, lipids and Potassium Chloride, and the NG tube pipes Elemental food (predigested and simpler enzyme) into his stomach. He has now had 4 operations and 2 blood transfusions, IV’s in his head 6 times and tubes of all shapes and sizes coming and going in and out of his tiny little body, which sometimes resembles a black and blue pincusion after all the times they poke him with needles . . . I live in the hospital most of the time.
: : But things are starting to look up this week. Yes, Thomas had a few more ups and downs, and had to have his IV central line removed and reinstalled a few days later. But he remains the happiest baby on the pediatric unit, and is simply a delight to be around. He smiles and coos and hugs all of his different turtle toys, of which he has many. I’m sure he misses Chanel and Albrecht; he was fascinated by them back when we were all healthier.
: : The infectious disease specialist today said it will be at least 7 days
: : before he can be released from the hospital.
: : I started back to work on the 18th, since I had reached the limit of allowable leave and my insurance is what is paying for Thomas’ health care. Note to all out there: insurance is the gamble that many people ignore, thinking something will never happen to them. DON’T BE ONE OF THEM. These two months have already cost over an estimated $400,000. Get insurance. My husband Jon moved out of the NYC apartment this week into our new old house, and we wait for the first warm days of spring to come so that our Sulcatas, Chanel and Albrecht, can roam the huge backyard.
: : Construction has started there to increase the room, since a special area is needed to house the torts year round, which they certainly
: : need. However, we failed the inspection last week, so the completed product is starting to make me dispair. I have dreamed so long of the babies having their own play space indoors and outdoors, but everything in my life right now is OBE (overcome by events).
: : With the exception of time, health, and sanity, we have everything anyone could want. Our baby is alive and happy, and maybe coming home soon. Our chelonian babies are healthy and anticipating their first non NYC summer. And I’m happy to be back on the forum with my friends. I have missed you all so much.
