Reed just made it back up here a little while ago. He is on Parker Patrol while I go and take a shower and sleep at home tonight. I thought about staying up here because I don’t sleep well when Reed and Parker aren’t home but I really need a shower and I just don’t do hospital showers. Nope. Nope. Nope. So I’ll come back up bright and early tomorrow morning to hang out with my littlest guy.
I want to thank everyone for their prayers. To be totally truthful being up here alone sucks. We are in a room so at least I have a place to sleep instead of hoping to snag a couch or some out of the way corner somewhere. I don’t have a car when I’m up here so I am stuck. And I’ll tell you there is nothing lonlier than being up here alone with a very sick litte one. But knowing that people are thinking of us and Praying for Parker makes such a huge difference.
Parker is on his 4th dose of IV antibiotics. He had his first transfusion last night. He made it on his CPAP for 5 hours last night. He’s only accepted 8 ounces of Pediasure since early yesterday morning choosing instead to exist on Pedialyte.
Parker will be going down for another chest x-ray as soon as they are ready. His right lung has started sounding ‘crackly’ so they want to get a good look at it.
I turned away two IV people who were trying to get a good stick for a blood draw on Parker, but just weren’t experienced enough yet. The IV team has been called, but they are so busy that it could be until later tonight that they actually make it up. This next draw is for a new BNP, crit and a food allergy screen. If the crit isn’t looking better they will do another transfusion.
If the BNP is worse I don’t know what I will do. I am very, very worried.
I also found out that the sedated MRI they have planned for Parker on Monday morning consists of sedating Parker, putting him into the MRI tube and then……….uh………..STOPPING HIS HEART SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE ISN’T BREATHING.
………..AHEM…………..
The anesthesiologist who is assigned to Parker Monday morning came up and talked to me about his hesitations with this procedure. Yup, now that is a way to reassure a Mom about STOPPING THEIR CHILD’S HEART. So I talked with the Pedi up here and asked her to make sure that this guy knew what he was doing since while this procedure has been performed up here before it is still really new and this anesthesiologist HAS NEVER DONE IT BEFORE. So the Pedi is going to touch base with the ENT and Radiologist and make sure we have the best possible setting for when we STOP PARKER’S HEART on Monday. There’s no doubt that we need to know what is going on with Parker’s upper airway, but I never in a million years thought a sedated MRI included bringing a child back after they had STOPPED HIS HEART. Holy Smokes.
Finaly, I just want to share with you that today is McCall’s 16th birthday. I am so sad that I wasn’t there this morning when she woke up. She is feeling pretty sad today. BUT unbeknownest to her tonight at 7:00 she will be going on her FIRST DATE. I don’t let my kids date until they are 16 and then only in groups. This very special young man called and talked with Reed and I and asked if he could take McCall out on her first date on her birthay. After intensely grilling this poor guy, Reed said yes. A group of friends will be going and having a pretty exciting evening tonight. I am SO thankful that I will be able to be home when McCall comes home so I can hear all about it, first hand. 
My kids have all been wonderful since we’ve been up here. They have worked together getting things going on Parker’s Benefit Concert this Friday. When things get rough my kids will really pull together.
I am blessed.
I have not stopped thinking or praying for Parker – I’m so worried along with you. I will continue to think positively and be sending many prayers.
Happy birthday to McCall and I hope her first date is wonderful!
Hugs, hugs and more hugs. I so wish I could give them in person, though.
Happy Birthday to McCall and I hope she has a great date.
Saying many prayers for Parker. I hope McCall has a fun time.
You are so strong, Tammy. Special prayers and another candle at our Cathedral for Parker tonight. Happy birthday to your dear girl as well.
Keep your chin up. You are blessed and loved by all…
Tammy….please know that you and your sweet little boy have been in my thoughts and prayers all day.
I am praying real hard that Parker gets better quick….
and a very Happy Sweet 16 Birthday to Miss McCall!!!
[we have the same rule in our house about dating ;0)]
I hope she has a very magical time tonight….may the stars be twinkling and the moon shining brightly and the company devine!!!! What a sweet young man to ask her out on her birthday [and good job grilling him!
]
I hope you enjoy your hot shower and a good nights sleep [and Reen and Parker have the same at the hospital]
All of our love and prayers and support.
I am praying for Parker and for your family. I pray that you are able to feel God’s hand in everything that is going on with Parker right now and I am praying that HE will the hands of the medical staff working on Parker! It’s so great that your daughter will be going on her first date on her sixteenth birthday! I’m also glad that you’ll be there to hear all about it as soon as she comes in. That will be such a wonderful time of sharing for both of you.
annb
tammy parker has been on my mind for the last couple days constantly!! Please know I have been saying a prayer for him and that he will be healed. I wish I could be there for you for support and company at the hospital!! hugs to you!!!
Tammy,
Sorry, I have no words, only hugs and prayers.
-Danielle Mikey’s Mom
Tammy –
Shawen and I are praying for all of you too –
Hope McCall has a special evening –
Tamara
We have been keeping you close in our thoughts and prayers. I hope everything gets resolved & you’re home soon. Hugs to all of you, but especially Parker
Wow…that IS terrifying! I wish I had a million intelligent and comforting words, but I don’t. Just please know that so many are praying and will be praying.
dawnz
I’m still praying for Parker. After having my 10 week old put to sleep for a very minor surgery, my empathy is ENORMOUS for moms whose kids need medical procedures. Thanks for taking the time to update us. If you don’t mind, I’m going to put a link to your blog on my blog and ask my blogosphere friends for prayer for your special little guy. Most of my blog friends are already dedicated readers, but maybe I can increase the praying field a little more for you.
I’ll be praying for him every chance and for you and the rest of your family. I’m so glad your daughter will get to have a bright spot in this day. Hang in there!
It just breaks my heart that you are alone in the hospital. Where is your Ds organization? Where are your friends from your Church? I just don’t understand as here we have a Friends and Family group that makes sure calls are made, gifts are delivered, meals are sent……I wish I were closer!
We love you and and are also worried about the testing….but know you will make the wisest of mommy decisions.
Hugs and more hugs!
Praying here – still.
And you are right – there isn’t a lonelier place than a hospital room with an sick kid.
Tammy,
I sure know what it’s like to be stuck in the hospital room. No fun! I’m so sorry little Parker is having a tough time. I pray God’s healing over him tonight. I will keep him in my prayers especially on Monday. I wish I was closer, I would come and pray with you in person. Just know that you are being covered in prayer from a distance.
love, annie
p.s. Happy birthday to McCall!!!
Tammy,
I’ve been thinking about you and Parker a lot today. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Big Hugs for you and your family!!
Still praying for Parker and your whole family! Lily said she had special angels and when I asked if we could send them to Parker she nodded her head yes in agreement! ]
Tammy and Reed – we are so praying for you both as well! Hang in there – you both are an inspiration to so many!
Love,
Lisa and Lily
Were holding you in our thoughts here in Michigan. My goodness….I know this is so hard.
Happy Birthday to McCall.
You know I’m a late night owl…so if you need to talk, and it’s too late to call most people, please feel free to call anytime, or shoot me your phone number and I will call you.
Please give Parker a kiss and a hug from Elainah and I.
Holy smokes, indeed! I know how I felt when The Kid was on the bypass machines during her open heart surgery.
Praying for your sweetie pie, Parker!
Sending happy birthdays to McCall!
Praying for Parker, and please tell McCall I said Happy Birthday! Love you Tam!
My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to Parker and your family. Also praying God guides the hands of the doctors and other professionals doing the testing on Parker. I wish there were more we could do to help. I hope McCall had a nice birthday and a great first date. Hugs to all Kay, Drake(T/21) and the rest of the gang.
I am holding Parker very close in my heart and prayers. You and Reed and the entire family, also. I don’t know what to say about STOPPING PARKER’S HEART…just know that God will be holding Parker while you cannot. {{
{{HUGS}}}}
Happy sweet 16, McCall! What a wonderful birthday she will have. That must be a pretty special young man to ask for the honor of being McCall’s first date and live through the fatherly grilling.
Enjoy snuggling up with McCall afterward for special mom-daughter time.
Take care
I haven’t been able to get you guys off my mind, I keep praying for Parker to get better and for you and Reed to stay strong. I hope McCall enjoyed her first date and had a lovely 16th birthday.
Hugs, prayers as always,
Jessica & Joey
I’m glad you’re able to go home and take a shower; hopefully get a good night’s sleep too! Sorry that McCall is celebrating her sweet 16th w/Parker in the hospital
I hope it was a nice surprise for her to be asked out on the date and I hope it all went well!
Parker is, as always, in my prayers.
I am so sorry Tammy… Please email me as soon as you know about his labs… I know all to well what is like to be in a hospital alone..
I’m praying for Parkers return to complete health, and for your peace of mind during this time
I also wanted to say thank you for praying for me… It means so much..
-H
Tammy, please know that you have all the prayers I can possibly say for our sweet buddy Parker. I’m also praying very hard for you, Reed and the rest of the family. You are one strong bunch but I know by now this is just too much for anyone to handle.
Happy 16th to your beautiful McCall. I’m tearing up reading about her date. Our oldest began dating the very same way with the young man speaking to Gil and I to ask permission. You don’t find too many of those any more. She must be very special. I’d love to hear about the wonderful evening.
You’re always in my thoughts, my friend.
Barb (T21 michaelsmommy)
Tammy, I’m praying for Parker with all my heart! I’m sorry you had to miss McCall’s 16th birthday but that’s so neat that she’s having her first date. I hope that goes well!
Take care, my friend.
My best to you and your family.