Monday

Sunday consisted of meeting with lots of different doctors, starting his IVIG and antibiotic treatments and trying to catch up on sleep.  They started Walter off with some Ibuprofen and Benadryl to help prevent a reaction to the IVIG treatment.   They must have had some funky Benadryl because he took it and then immediately threw it and everything else he'd eaten up...so he had to start over.  Nurse Lisa knew exactly what to do and brought in a rocket popsicle to help get and keep the Benadryl down.  We were transferred to the fourth floor in the late afternoon after his IV had been started.  My sisters came to visit later that night and brought dinner and some treats for us. 

 

When Walter woke up Monday morning, he looked like a new person.  It was amazing how much better he looked compared to the night before - his rash was much almost gone and his eyes were much less red.

 

Nate catching up on the latest "news" in People.  

I'm sure he thought it was almost as interesting as American Rifleman.

Watching a little TV.  When I look at these pictures now, I can see that he still looks sick but at the time this was a huge improvement.

 Walter and Dad resting.

 



He perked up a little after breakfast and remembered the Mimis delivered a Lego Star Wars set the night before.  When they were constantly drawing blood and doing IV stuff on Saturday night/Sunday morning, we told him he could get a new Lego set when all this was over (he quickly requested Jabba the Hut's Palace!).  He enjoyed playing with Legos until the doctors came through to check on him. 

 

He had an ultrasound downstairs around 11:00 and then an echo at 1:00.

 



He ate a little chicken noodle soup before his echo...

 

...and after his echo, decided he wasn't quite done with the lunch.

Nate and I were well taken care of by family and friends who offered to bring us meals at the hospital. Our dear friend Mary (and daughter, Clara) swung by the ER entrance to drop off lunch for us on this day.

 

Children's Hospital has wonderful volunteers.  The chaplain visited and then "My Little Green Friends" stopped by to ask if Walter would like to plant something - he chose broccoli.  These two men were so kind.

 Hearing the options ("my brother doesn't really like salad," "we don't eat radishes at our house...")

 

Adding soil to the bowl.

Planting the tiny seeds.

Using a syringe to water the seeds.

Holding on to his broccoli.  This may have been the highlight of the hospital visit for him.  Even at home, he's very attentive to his 4 broccoli sprouts. 

Next up, Zuri and her owner visited. 

 

All tired out.

 We spent a little time in the playroom that afternoon.  Walter got to feed the fish and ride in a toy police car (and write a few tickets for Dad).  The director showed us where we could wash our clothes, check out games, and borrow movies.  After Walter's nap and dinner, we popped in a movie (Homeward Bound) and played Uno, the Cars' version.  He liked the Cars' version so much that he didn't want to discard any cards - he just kept drawing new ones to add to his hand!  Grandma L even snuck in a quick visit right before visiting hours were over while she picked up our clean laundry that needed to be dried - so many people taking care of us!