Tuesday, September 22, 2009, Nashville, TN., 6:14 a.m., D.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Wayne Wright here.  Thought I'd let you know that my youngest child, Rheese, is in the hospital; he has a case of whooping cough.

It all started last week.  He had an upper respiratory infection; he got over that, thank goodness, but then, about two days ago, he started coughing.  A lot.  Now he can't even cry, his throat is so swollen; he was also having difficulty in breathing, so we took him to the E.R. at Vandy (Vanderbilt) Children's. 

They popped him right in; he is expected to be in for a few days while they give him antibiotics to clear up the pertussis.

They have Rheese in the Pediatric ICU (PICU), where they can monitor him.  Hopefully in a day or two the swelling in his throat will go down, and he will be able to cry or make sounds again.  It's been a scary week for us; he's so little!

Right now, they have Rheese on a vent, so he can breathe easier (another reason he can't cry), and they have him knocked out, so he doesn't pull off all the tubes or monitors.  It looks pretty bad to most people; however, according to the doctors, Rheese is actually doing very well.

Naturally, Promise, Mwugu, Brookie, Em, Xavi, and Sarah are all worried about our sick family member.  I am too; he's just a baby not even two years old yet.  Usually he's bursting with health;  when he got sick, we thought he had the swine flu because he was throwing up and had the squirts; we took him to the E.R; tests were negative.  He just had a run of the mill URI (upper respiratory infection). 

He got over that; then the coughing/dyspnea (difficult breathing) started in earnest.  So we took him right back to the ER, and now he's been admitted, to the ICU.

Turns out he has pertussis (aka whooping cough).

I have been staying home with the kids while Sarah stays with Rheesie; she's been keeping me up to date.  I did see him once, but since my own health isn't that great, I am staying put, so I don't catch any unsuspecting bug.  And with this swine flu going about, that'd be the LAST thing I'd need!!

Actually, when the kids are at school, it's been kind of nice; very peaceful.  Now that Rheese is sick, that peace is tempered somewhat by a sense of urgency and/or uncertainty.  I have been praying to God practically nonstop to let our baby boy be okay; I pray he will continue to hold his own and/or improve.

Well, the kids are up; they have school, so I will go.  Have to get them (and myself) ready, have our breakfast, take my meds, and then be out the door before seven thirty.  Yikes; not much time!  I'll then come back home, where I will sleep until at least one or two in the afternoon (that is, if Sarah doesn't interrupt my slumber by calling me!).

I'll write in here with another update regarding Rheese.  Just say some prayers for him (and for us); we'd greatly appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!

~Sincerely, Wayne.  :(