Home Again, Home Again...

I'm sorry I didn't post something earlier.  Blogger has been on the fritz for the past day or so.  I'll do my best to update everyone with as much information as my little memory box can hold...

Within hours of Bright Eyes' IVIG treatment, he began to improve.  It really was absolutely amazing!  I can not even begin to sing enough praises about our doctor.  She was able to diagnose him quickly even though he wasn't showing all of the typical signs of Kawasaki Disease (KD).  It was one of those moments when she heard hoof beats and thought zebras, not horses.  If the diagnosis had gone unsolved for even only a few days more we could have been facing permanent heart damage. 

On Thursday, Bright Eyes woke up noticeably different.  The swelling in his neck was almost completely gone.  His energy level was up, as was his appetite.  The little stinker ate an entire donut that Gramma brought him.  His liquid IV infiltrated during the night, so his poor little hand looked like a balloon, but he didn't even complain much about that.  During the day we took two outings.  Some wonderful employees from the IT department at Southern Company were letting the kids "Build a Bear" on one of the upper floors.  Bright Eyes enjoyed coloring a t-shirt for "Robo Bear."  They took some cute pictures of him and let us keep the copies.  We also ventured over to the Children's Harbor where B.E. beat me in air hockey! 

Walking around the hospital was a very humbling experience for me.  There is nothing more uplifting and inspiring than seeing a 3-year-old suffering from cancer dancing through the halls with a huge smile across his face.  Or watching a 10-year-old who'd recently undergone brain surgery smile proudly at a camera after being glamorized with make-up and a tiara.  We can learn so much from children.  Their bravery and courage is amazing.  And they have such incredible trust towards their doctors and parents.  It's easy to see why God calls us to be as children.  I sure wish my bravery, courage, and trust were even mildly close to those of the children I saw at the hospital this week.

Today WE'RE HOME!  Hubby just drove Gramma home.  I'm exhausted.  Bright Eyes hasn't sat down for more than 5 minutes.  Zep's fever is down.  Sunshine is practically running around the house (oh yeah, in the midst of the last several weeks, she started walking).  Life is practically back to normal!!

We made the decision today to keep the boys home from school for the remainder of the year (a whole 5 days!).  We just can't take the chance of either of the kids picking up a sickness that may mix with the high doses of aspirin Bright Eyes has been on, because there's the VERY slim chance he could end up getting Reye's Syndrome.  I think after one of your children comes down with a rare Japanese disease, you tend to become a little more afraid of even the VERY slim chances. 

Again, we can't thank everyone enough.  We've received prayers, kid sitting, meals, home cleanings, a lawn mowing, gifts and cards galore for Bright Eyes, and encouraging words on a daily basis.  If we don't get around to thanking you personally, please know it's not because we're not appreciative.  We feel incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.  We love you all!!