Home away from home

Primary Children's has definitely become our home away from home. And that isn't all bad. There is some feeling of security being close to the doctors and nurses who know Jessica and what is going on. A little frustration over coming home when we shouldn't have, but even that said, glad to have had a day at home, just enough to regroup a little and be together as a family! I think I posted that we were released from surgery on Monday, but it was actually Sunday. We had to wait until Tuesday because of Jessica's radiation simulation appointment. The interesting part is that we had a CT scan right after the radiation apt. Back at primary's. It was ordered by our oncologist just to help aid the radiation doctor. We left soon after the CT which is when the radiologist would have been reading the CT. We now know that the CT showed an infectious fluid where Jessica's right kidney had been. For whatever reason this was not communicated as it should have been. It was a blessing that on Wednesday Jessica started having a fever. It was midnight Thursday morning that I called the on call oncologist who at that point said to go ahead and treat the fever and to call back in the morning and talk to the surgeons. Well at 4 a.m. Her temp. reached 103 so I called again but asked for an on call surgeon this time. The surgery resident that I talked to immediately pulled up Jessica's information on the computer and right away saw what could be causing the fever. She couldn't make the call on her own, but was pretty sure that we would need to return to the hospital. By about 8 a.m. We got the word that we needed to return for them to drain the infection area and administer antibiotics. We flew out at 9:30 and arrived at the hospital soon after 11 a.m. Thanks to Aunt Helen. I know that I say this all the time, but we have the most amazing family. We are so blessed with amazing family on Cody's side and on mine. With a total of 10 siblings, our wonderful parents, and Aunts and Uncles, we have felt overwhelming love and support from every single one of them. I love my family! I love them so much! My emotions run high when I think of the many sacrifices that our family makes in our behalf.
Thursday, at 4 p.m., a drain was placed in Jessica's lower back to drain the area where her right kidney was. She has started an antibiotic called Zosyn, which she will take for 2 weeks. We will stay in the hospital until the drain stops releasing fluid. It may prolong chemotherapy,
but hopefully not radiation. They are testing the initial fluid that was taken from the sight. It is unusual for this kind of infection in the area where the kidney was. It could be something from the removal of part of the liver or possibly something from the removal of the tumor.
Hopefully we will know soon. Jessica does feel some discomfort from the entry of another tube, but she has had no fevers since we arrived
at the hospital. I am just grateful that she had the fever long enough for us to make a call and for the right person to see the scan. The
infection would have eventually shown itself, but it could have been much more complicated later on. There are always, always, always blessings that come from challenges! This has become my journal, so forgive my rambling. I took advantage of both Jacob and Jessica napping at the same time!
I want my children and my wonderful husband to know how much I love them! The separation of a family during times like these is probably the most difficult thing. It is hard on everyone. But we are in this together, no matter what, and we try hard to be strong for each other. Jessica's little brother Caleb and her two older sisters Annalise and Alyson are the greatest strength to Jessica. She loves them so much and feels of their love for her! And how grateful I am to be their mother! It has been really hard on them, hard to understand everything, but they have amazing strength and love that pulls them through! Jessica couldn't ask for a more loving and concerned father. and I certainly couldn't ask for a more loving and supportive husband. Cody has had a lot of pressure dropped on him and he as more than
stepped up to the plate. We will all make it through! We are all kind of like that song says " stuck like glue", which also happens to be one
of Jessica's favorite songs! Together forever no matter what!