I have had two sick kids with pneumonia (one in hospital, one at home) the last 12 days.

We were hoping Elizabeth (4yrs,) would be out on Wednesday, now they are saying two more weeks, WTF?
She seems to take one step forward and two steps back, some kind of antibiotic resistant germ. They just put in a heart catheter for her IV, as it kept screwing up.

She has always been a drama queen when she gets sick and I made her wait till morning, for my wife to get home to take her to emergency, the day she went into hospital.
So I’m depressed, feel like a total shitbag and I have guilt.

Ethan is almost (not quite) his (2yr) old self again. I’m taking care of him at home and must stay strong for his sake, but still this sucks.

I’m not a religious man, but I’m praying hard now. Sorry for dumping on you guys, but I really miss her.

We feel for you and the family. We'll say a prayer.

DaveP

Mark, our prayers are with you and your little girl. don't beat yourself up for decisions of "what if?" you can't do that to your self, and you can't do that to your family. we are here if you need a sounding board.

I'm not a religious gal myself, but I can definitely empathise with your concern. Don't feel guilty though. You'd never knowingly do anything to harm your children. It's hard to tell when they're really sick, or just trying to get some sympathy & attention. We'll say a prayer for your little ones.

Jen

BTDT. No question that it makes you feel like a jerk when you find out the problem is real and serious.

Being a parent is a tough job. We're sending good thoughts your way.

Good luck...my worst recurring nightmare is my kids or wife getting seriously ill.

Good thoughts from the Peg..........for you and your family.

Our thoughts are with you. Sorry you have to go through this, We almost lost our son on more than one occasion and this can be one of the most challenging times of a parents life.



Hiedi

Prayers

Big prayers headed your way. It's the only thing I can offer after all the kind thought that were returned to me when Hunter has been sick!

I'll keep Elizabeth in my thoughts.

Having your child sick in the hospital can be tough. Believe me, Hunter has accumulated over six months worth of inpatient care!

Chin up... she will get better soon.

Regards,

karl

You have our prayers... best wishes.

Hey,

Best wishes man. Hang in there.

Fiid.

without children of my own, i can only imagine how difficult this can be. stay strong, your little girl will be on all of our hearts and minds today.

n

Thanks guys and gals.

This is Elizabeth

It's never too late to start praying Mark. Take it from me. You can add 3 more to the prayer chain in Chicago. Don't waste any time blaming yourself either. You didn't do anything intentional. Just be strong for your family.


Chris H.

Mark,

All my best wishes for a quick recovery.

Jeff

ps all members with children should read what the CDC and FDA have to say about antibiotic resistant bacteria:

CDC info site
FDA info site

over-prescribed antibiotics lead to resistant bacteria - you can control this directly

I'm not a religious guy either. I did that simlar thing with one of my boys. He had a piece of steak stuck in his asofiguse(sp) I didn't bring him in to the emergeny til the next day. He could even swallow his spit. He easily could have died. I will never live that down in my mind anyway. I can relate to your anguish over your decision. But I know how kids are, I thought mine just didn't want to eat supper. Your not the only one that's made a parenting mistake and you won't be the last. Hang in there man.

Mark, My thoughts are with you. Best wishes to your children and family.

Mike

Mark, What a cutie. She has a face that looks like she should be on Broadway. No wonder she's a drama queen. As has been said, don't bring yourself down about decisions made, concentrate on the here & now. Positive thinking & prayers are best at this time. I'm sending all I have your way.

..........b

Mark, best wishes and prayers from my family to yours.

Regards,
Ed

My prayers are with you Mark. Hang in there the battle is never over 'til its over. Don't look back, only look forward to her homecomming. And yes, she is a cutie!

Dear Mark and Family,

I’ll be technical for a moment. Elizabeth has an approximately 99% probability of recovery in the absence of a chronic immune or lung disease. Four year olds have developed an outstanding immune response even for apparent antibiotic resistant infections.
On the other side, God holds all of us in his hands. No act is done without a reason, even sickness. Remember the poem about footsteps in the sand? God IS with Elizabeth and will watch over her. Our faith is what provides the strength.
The joy of being a parent is such a fragile thing. Times like these teach us to hold a little longer and listen a little more closely. Your presence is the healing strength Elizabeth needs. No parent is perfect. Not even Mary and Joseph.
From my family to yours, Gods prayers and comfort.
Respectfully,
The McChesney Family

Hey Mark our prayers are with you. Don't beat yourself up either. I almost lost my wife when she was pregnant one night. She had a fever I could tell. I took her temp & it only read 99.8 but she was really hurting. I called her doc & he had me take her temp again. Still just under 100. He says just keep her home unless it gets worse. The whole time my wife is suffering. I get a very strong impression to take her in anyway. I called back & said I was bringing her in. I did & she had a temp of 106.3 when they took it. I came very close to losing my son & my wife that night. I went thru alot of why the hell didn't you bring her down sooner. Some of which was from the doc. Talk about feeling like crap. Turns out or thermometer was faulty. It all worked out ok & it wasn't my fault. It was a learning experience though. I happen to be religous & I heard a saying once I liked. "There are no athiests in fox holes" . I think anytime you have someone you love hurt prayer is a natural response. Again many prayers coming your way! Take care

We will add you and your family to our prayers, especially Elizabeth. Get well soon.

Geeez,,, I hope your little girl gets better quickly, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Praying big time. Having sick kids is tough.

prayers are on the way...

Mark,

I am very sorry to hear about Elizabeth. Keep your chin up and try to stay positive. Elizabeth and your whole family will be in our hearts and prayers.

Steve

Praying for the healing of you little angel.
Don't let you heart get to heavy.
Be strong for your family.

Mark We are all here for you and your family. Please let use know if there is anything you need.
CCL

Mark,
We will include you in our family prayers tonight. Dave H

Hey Mark (and family)

Hang in there...!
I'm not a religious person either, but our thoughts will be with Elizabeth for sure!

Don't be too hard on yourself... (I know, easier said than done, but still...)
We have a 3.5 year old daughter ourselves
One minute these kids can be sick as a dog, the next minute they're jumping up and down like nothing ever happened.
It's tough to make these kind of judgement calls on these little buggers.

Give her a big hug from all of us when you go visit her
(and your son and wife as well)

cheers,

Jeroen

Little Elizabeth and your family are in my prayers

Dave

Consider it done!

(we need a medic smilie)

Best wishes to you and your family. My brother is deaf in one ear, my mom just thought he wasn't listening. They fought for just over a year. Finally went to the doc. These calls are hard to make. I recently cut the tendons in my hand on a drinking glass. I didn't even get it looked at for 24hrs. and I am a wuss. It's hard to know when to go. Take care

Lord, please hear the prayers for these innocent children. Remove their suffering and pain. Return them to their family, and end the tears and guilt of their loving parents. Amen

Well said Curt!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family mark.

nothing sucks worse than your kid hurting and being helpless to making the hurt go away
all our prayers are for your daughter and the rest of the family tonite

miss mari ,jt and the creature

Best wishes to your daughter and family.
Chris

Prayers sent.

Many more to follow.

Please keep us posted.

God Bless.

- Joe & Family

Mark,

May God bless your kids and heal them now. May God surround them and touch them with healing and grace. May he protect them from harm. May he give you peace. May you have rest, so that your decisions are solid, and may your words speak truth and compassion to the people around you.

My wife and I will pray for you and your family tonight.

God Bless.

Mark,

Lyressa and I wish your little girl the best of luck and hope she pulls thru with a speedy recovery.


B

Mark..

We're all thinking pure thoughts for your little angel and you too. Don't beat yourself up about the delay thing, they can get bad really fast with little or no warning and even the pros don't get it right a fair bit of the time. Good thoughts...Good thoughts...Good thoughts...

Don't beat yourself up man. It will all be OK.

Never underestimate the power of prayer. God answers those prayers, believe it. Add me to the prayer chain.

One more family praying for your family. I'm sending it out to our church prayer chain too. Nothing knocks you off your feet like having your kid in peril. I've never felt so helpless in my life as when my daughter delivered our grandson by c-section because they thought the cord was wrapped around his neck. It makes you feel ill in ways that you never knew existed to have someone you love in danger like that.

Much like you I'm not a religious man.

Unlike you I'm also a shit bag.

So I approached my sister (She is a good religious person) and she's going to pray for you. I hope for the best with your children.

Our prayes and thoughts are with you.

Mark,

The Shaffer Family wish your little girl the best of luck and hope she pulls thru with a speedy recovery.
Don't beat yourself up, there is no manual that comes with the little ones.

- Garold

Another familly praying for the little one.

Hope she gets better real soon.

Marc-André

Mark, your darling little daughter is in our prayers too. Let us know when she is back home with her family. Glenn Trapp