Pain and slow recovery (Nov. 19)
Being in the hospital is familiar in all sorts of unfortunate ways, bringing us back to the first months of Lucas’s life where we got to know the routine of having a sick child all too well. We’re on an emotional roller coaster again — feeling optimistic, even joyous and extremely grateful one hour, then something happens and within a blink of an eye the fear returns.
Lucas’s ten minutes of slurred talking and questions last night had us happy for hours. But then in the middle of the night he woke up in pain. He was asking for something that we couldn’t understand, his hands were searching the air and trembling, and his heart rate spiked to 180 – twice his resting heart rate, and a clear sign of distress. So we took turns sitting up, trying to soothe him while puzzling through all the variables with the nurse to try to figure out what was going on.
Besides the general trauma of having been oxygen deprived and then having chest compressions for half and hour, Lucas also has significant blood coming out in his urine. The docs in the ER placed a foley catheter and seem to have injured him in the process. In trying to figure out what went wrong, they did an ultrasound yesterday and found that Lucas may have numerous, large kidney stones. So part of difficulty of seeing him in pain last night was not knowing if he’s going through a recovery process from the CPR or if we’re diving into something else that could be getting worse. Or maybe both at once. Later we learned that ultrasound images likely do not show kidney stones but something related to the traumatic incident.
At any rate, around 4 am they finally gave Lucas some more significant pain medication. He eventually stopped moaning and wiggling in pain, though his heart rate didn’t go down very far. But while he was a little more peaceful the two of us got a couple hours of sleep.
This morning we’re pretty tired and feeling far removed from yesterday evening’s joy and optimism. Of course it will come again, and then go or change into something else. It’s been really comforting to know so many of you are with us, even from afar, so thank you for your thoughts, messages, and prayers.
Comments (29)
Laura J
November 20th, 2012 at 7:45 am
lots of love and light and strength to all three of you!! lucas is on my mind, wishing him comfort and healing.
colleen kattau
November 20th, 2012 at 7:41 am
Dear Krista and Burke,
my thoughts are with you and Lucas in this difficult time. much love and solidarity,
Colleen
jess c
November 20th, 2012 at 7:29 am
Max and I are thinking of you (and, in Max’s case, even dreaming about Lucas last night). Sending you lots of love.
Madeline
November 20th, 2012 at 6:41 am
Hang in there you guys – seeing your kid in pain has got to be one of the worst experiences life has to offer. Hoping for relief, comfort, and quick healing for Lucas and continued strength for you two.
liz
November 20th, 2012 at 6:12 am
hang in there, dear ones. Lucas is such a plucky fighter! we’re hoping he’s going to feel much better today and that you’ll all have a less stressful day today. all of our love and positive thoughts your way…Liz and Kevin
Jocelyn Viterna
November 20th, 2012 at 4:19 am
I suspect there are few things more difficult in this world than seeing your child in pain and not being able to do anything to help him. I’m so so sorry you’re all going through this. But I’m also confident that this will pass. Lucas has been SO STRONG and SO HEALTHY and he is such a fighter–soon, you’ll be home reading your books and having your great conversations again. Thanks for keeping us posted. We’re sending all kinds of positive thoughts and virtual hugs your way. Love to you all.
Judi Beck
November 19th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
The Beck/Alberg clan wants to send along our best wishes and good thoughts for a speedy recovery as well. Lucas is so very special…strong, smart and loving. Please blow him a big kiss from us, and let him know that we hope he’s back at home very, very soon.
Rachel, Jori, & Colin
November 19th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
We are down in Portland and just heard the news from Jennie. We are sending you thoughts of strength and healing for you and to sweet little Lucas.
Ann
November 19th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
Burke and Krista – you and Lucas are in my thoughts and prayers. Jack suffered an event when he became disconnected from his ventilator when he was 6 years old. I know all too well what you are feeling. Time will heal. But, the being in the hospital and the waiting, it is so very difficult. Hang in there.
Judy Feldman
November 19th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Burke, Krista and Lucas,
I would never wish this experience on you or anyone else – and yet, you are teaching us all that what we think are big things, well, they really aren’t. You are teaching us that family is a full out effort of love, from every direction. And you are teaching us that asking for help and support is a healthy thing. Here’s hoping tomorrow brings better health for Lucas and more sleep for you.
Larry & Janice Haywood
November 19th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
We are thinking of you and are in our prayers. We are
thinking all positive thoughts.
Mayron
November 19th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
Burke, que Dios siga dando fuerza a Lucas, a tu compa y a ti. You all are in my prayers. con carino, mayron
Marney
November 19th, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Holding precious Lucas in our hearts and in the light and you all too. This sounds so frightening for you and for him. Give him a kiss from us. xox Love, Marney and Art
Marjorie Grigonis/Hoyme
November 19th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Krista and Burke,
Saw this frightening news yesterday, talked to Mary Jo today. I’m so sad that you’ve had this scare, and now this continuing anxiety. I’ve come to appreciate and respect today’s medicine, so I’m feeling optimistic that Lucas will be his old self. I want it to happen immediately. Thinking of you, with love. Marjorie
Jenn Ciplet
November 19th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
I am just getting caught up on the news… I am so sorry that this happened. Holding you all in the light and praying for strength and peace.
Love, Jenn
Mary G
November 19th, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Emotional roller coasters are no fun. Know there are many of us thinking of you all day and when we wake in the night, sending you light, warmth, and our loving energy to help bouy you. Much much love to all three of you. Remember to take care of yourselves too. Rannie and I love the metaphor we hear whenever we fly: Put your own oxygen mask on first, then you are better able to help your child. I know you have much support from family there, but know I would gladly and promptly fly out if there is something I could do. Hugs hugs hugs!
Kristin Lasher
November 19th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Thinking of you constantly and hoping for the best. Hi Lucas, you don’t know us but we know your family and we love you just like you love herons. Kristin and Earl
Tio Sha
November 19th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Oh friends. Nobody deserves a difficult roller coaster like this. I’m continuing to send you lots of warmth and love and care from afar, still wishing I could come by in person but know that I am holding all three of you, especially Lucas, close to the healer part of my heart. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do from afar. So much love. ~ Sha
vinney
November 19th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
penguins for lucas!
Annie
November 19th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
Thinking of you all.
cathy
November 19th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
sending SO many positive/warm/happy thoughts your way!
Julie Graves
November 19th, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Oh my, how hard for Lucas and for you, to have to search for a way to communicate what he urgently needs. I hope the relief he got early this morning is the beginning of a smooth glide into complete healing for you all. But the very big picture is, he is awake, and his soreness will heal! Thank the World for that.
Matt, Naomi, & Daniel
November 19th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
Sending our love, respect, and hope during this scary time.
Jennie, Scott & Oscar
November 19th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Hang in there you guys. We’re sending you lots of good wishes for a speedy recovery and lots of love to get you through. We love you guys, J, S, and O
Elspeth
November 19th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
sending love to you all and keeping you close to my heart.
love, elspeth
Great aunt Kit
November 19th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
You’re all in our prayers. Sending positive and good thoughts your way!
Love and hugs, Kit & J.D.
Kathy
November 19th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Sending lots of love and good thoughts your way!!
-Kathy
Daniella
November 19th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Hope you all get a nice long nap and wake up to a warm: “so nice to see you mommy and daddy!” Sending big hugs,
D, G and R
tom
November 19th, 2012 at 10:44 am
what a roller coaster for all of you!!! we’ll keep sending our love and prayers your way, holding you close to our hearts. love, tom
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