Influenza Type 2 was the culprit!

We found out through a sample taken from my nose that I do not have a bacterial infection but a viral infection. I have the flu! Hmm… Where would I get the flu? Well here of course at this hospital, this is the theory my mom and dad have. No one has been sick in my home and I am not around other kids but I am here at this hospital a lot! Surely the last time I was in here I probably picked it up. 🙁

The week that I have been in CIMA has been a long one. My parents have had to cut my food back by half the amount as every time I eat too much I get terrible phlegm and have to be sucked out. The first night at the hospital Rebecca the RT that night had to suction me many times until my nose was bleeding. My mom and dad took turns holding my head for her so that I would not move. It is a terrible thing to go through. Even though it is the best thing for me it is an awful procedure for everyone involved. The object is to have my lungs clear and not leave any phlegm in them. Pretty much the rest of the week I was having to be suctioned. I am not very happy here. I know where I am. I don’t like these bright lights, nor the people wearing white jackets, and I am oh so tired of being here. I am anxious and not comfortable. I am crying much and obviously not feeling well. Thankfully I have not had a high fever and although I am on oxygen I am requiring very little.

By Friday, I was off the O2 and breathing on my own. I am still receiving respiratory therapy but not having to be aspirated as much. My salivation has increased for some reason and I am not doing so well in swallowing it. I have been having seizures again as well. I was supposedly going to be released by Saturday but my increasing irritability, and seizures have the doctor thinking I should stay over the weekend. We are retesting my blood to rule out any new infection.

By Monday it was time for me to get outta here. Mom does not feel 100% comfortable going back to Delicias so we are going to stay a few days at Irene’s house in Escazu. She has a lovely home and her parents and family are so nice to me. They spoil me rotten. Lourdes,(Irene’s mom is giving up her room to us.)Mom tried to say no but she would not have any of that! You know I never thought that I would find someone who would love me and treat me so kind after Sofia. God works in mysterious ways. He put Irene in our lives another angel placed on earth to play a major part in my life. I feel so blessed that we found her. The nicest thing is how her family has totally open their arms out to me and taken us in! They are truly wonderful people.
Mom really likes having Lourdes around. She has 4 grown kids and has been around the block to say the least and mom always is asking her questions and opinions.

The first two nights I did not sleep at all. One night I screamed and cried until 430am. That night mom called in Dona Lourdes, she suggested a hot water bottle and to turn me on my tummy and stretch me out over my mom’s legs. The water bottle really helped and I finally fell asleep laying over mom’s legs for a good hour. As it turns out, once again my stomach is completely fried after all those antibiotics. I am in pain and my tummy is killing me right now. Dr. Luna paid a house call two times to Irene’s house. My seizures were acting up again so he came by to see me. I still have not slept at all. This went on for two days and by Wednesday I ended up sleeping the entire day. If all goes well, we are planning on headed home tomorrow. 🙂

I actually slept throughout the night, my blood work came back fine, so it looks like another case of tummy gone bad! A bad tummy for me is always worse than a cold of flu! Hope my tummy feels better soon. We left at noon to catch the 2pm ferry. We are all very ready to come home. Dad is so happy we are coming home. We cant wait to see him either. At the moment all is well, hopefully we can stay home for awhile now!
Love Malia

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