Alissa's Thank you!

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Our Pneumonia Adventure...

Being a mother for the past 18 years, we have to admit, we have been very fortunate and our hearts go out to all those families who have dealt with major illnesses with their children. We have had 2 ER visits these past years, with miraculous results, no hospital admittances and 1 broken bone with 5 active children, and getting it by jumping rope no less. This past week has been a whirlwind of emotion, highs and lows, lack of sleep, complete and utter amazement at the outpouring of love and support from all those around us!
While Alissa Sleeps I make this post from the Children's Unit at The Riverton IHC Hospital Primary Children's Ward.
Notice I mention Children's Unit, My Alissa is 6 weeks away from being 18, so we are extremely fortunate with this illness, she is considered a child still!!
My amazing daughter, who gives her all to everyone and then some, had the December of her life, helping the IRC, International Rescue Committee, in Salt lake City. The SBO's and Government officers at Riverton High School annually pick a non-profit organization in which they can help make a difference and fund-raise for that cause for 3 weeks straight. When I say 3 weeks, I mean exactly that, they do not eat, sleep or get homework done (rarely) and spend all there time in service of another. SO as you can see this amazing student body worked their tails off and earned $81,000.00 + for the IRC & what a life changing experience.

I think this is where our plight begins.

• So being so exhausted, Alissa slept for a few days off and on and was extremely worn out. The holidays came and went - Sickness was all around us, flu, colds, sinus infections, and extremely cold weather.
• SO back to school on January 4th - however Alissa on January 5th gets a flu, bug, as we think. throwing up for 2 days, missing school, she heads back on Thurs Fri, to try and catch up.
• Needless to say she was not better and the bacteria began to grow. So on Monday the 10th she went to school and within the first class, called and said she was racing home, cause she had to throw up and felt feverish!
• Solid throwing up til Tuesday morning, We take her into the Inst-Care knowing full well she is Dehydrated. after 2 liters of fluid, they think she's done, nope 1 more to go - We ask the on-call to check her lungs, he dismisses this and says he can't here any rattling, so send us on our way with Anti-nausea medicine, and cough medicine.
• Tuesday, Wednesday and into the morning of Thursday, still throwing up, fever and excruciating pain... Missing Term Finals and trying to get teachers to give her an extension
• Back to insta-care, Chris and I insist on a chest xray - Mind you, new Dr. and we know him and he is amazing - Within minutes the results are obvious. She has barely any lung function on her right side.
• Out-patient treatment is our choice, IV 3 days in a row with fluid and antibiotics and meds for home.
• Friday morning - back to Insta-care for the 2nd day of treatments, however her blood pressure is extremely low and her oxygen levels are dangerous - straight to emergency and then admitted to the Hospital.
• The weekend is a blur - Alissa has had good times and really bad times, crazy times and quiet times. She is in terrible pain, 2/3 of the right lung is filled with bacteria, 1/3 of the left and fluid is surround both.
• She's been poked with needles more than she can count, iv'd with antibiotics and fluids consistently, 48 hours of oxygen, and we are still in the air as to if she has to have a chest tube.
• Chest-tube, mind you, is the last resort, due to how evasive and painful the procedure and the recuperation time is lengthy.
• It is Monday Morning, Martin Luther King Day, no school is in session, so I didn't have to call in for Substitute again, Alissa is not missing another day today, however we don't expect her to go back this week, at least. We wait and see what results we get today on blood work and X-ray's. This decides our fate for the week... Good news we stay here and finish out her treatment's and healing, bad news we get transferred to Primary Children's Salt Lake and she gets a chest tube to clear all the fluid and bacteria - Out for another couple weeks.
• Like I said, My heart goes out to all those parents who have dealt with major illness within their Families, long hospital stays, cancer, chemo, and an array of things, You are my hero's! I am not sure how people do this consistently and make it through sane. All I know is the support group we have is amazing and we are very fortunate to live where we do and feel the love we do!
• Alissa is loved, not only by her family, but a community and we have had an outpouring of love, visits, meals and rides given on the Gibbons' behave and we thank you all!