Thanks For The Memories, Disneyland!

When you think of Disneyland - you normally think of Mickey, Minnie, over-priced Churros, Goofy, Princesses, & the $6 frozen banana... okay, maybe only my sister, Teresa & I think of the food items... Nonetheless, they are happy memories wrapped in dollar signs.
As a mother to 5 children, my memories are now: The most expensive place on earth, sourdough bread, constantly counting 5 children, California Screaming ride (my favorite) & Rotavirus - followed by hefty hospital bills!

One week into our two week vacation, Brock (2) started vomiting & diarrhea in a constant pattern - unable to keep anything down. We figured it was a stomach flu & just tried to keep him hydrated (a chore in itself!). Meanwhile, Alyssa (14) starts getting congested, Brynne (12) gets a wicked head cold & Erika (9) spikes a 103.6 fever on Wednesday - yet, Lily (4) is as happy & healthy as a horse! So, 4 out of 5 of our children become drugged for their Disneyland adventure! That has the potential for some interesting memories of life-size chipmunks & oversized blue genies! I end up staying back in the hotel with Brock - changing, wiping & cleaning & calculating how much money we have lost at Disneyland on our partially used tickets..... But, enjoying the "peace & quiet" as Brock slept.

On our way home, we didn't reach our "1/2 way point" in Richfield, Utah (thank goodness). After a huge mess that evolved from our son, Brock, in Las Vegas, NV - we all got out of the car & let it air out as I cleaned the car & Jim cleaned up Brock.... (that is all of the details you need!). Then, we decided to push through as far as St. George, UT for the night - as Brock was looking & acting even worse. The next morning, I insisted that we have him seen & made several calls to our Dr. back home, a nurse's line & a local pediatrician - all said to get him to the ER. In hopes of a smaller medical bill.... many will remember my medical adventures last year & will understand why... I took Brock to the local Urgent Care - who then referred us to the ER to have him hydrated (this is a VERY condensed version!) - & out the window, the hopes of a smaller bill!

Jim picked us up (he was killing time in a totally packed car w/ the 4 girlies) & drove Brock & me to the ER & he was even more sickly, but wouldn't stop screaming & squirming - yet, no tears. I couldn't understand what he was trying to say over & over - his words were totally slurred. I was SO worried about him. They 'fast tracked' him & got him back - he was SO severely dehydrated & in so much agonizing abdominal pain - they quickly worked to get an IV in his hand. 3 nurses & a Dr. later - the IV was in & they were giving him morphine for the pain. Through all of his screaming - about 25 minutes worth - only one small tear emerged. Within a few moments - he was calm & the blood tests & xrays began. As they waited for results & scans, I waited next to his calm, sleeping, little body & just stroked his hair. He kept making gagging, choking sounds as he tried to swallow... a sound that will always haunt me as a mother.

The Dr. returned & sat down next to Brock's bed - I knew it was not going to be an easy fix at that point. She diagnosed him as being critically dehydrated, possible Rotavirus & a bowel Ileus (paralyzation of the bowel causing obstruction). She had already arranged for an ambulance to transfer him to the Children's Hospital within the hour. Brock was not rehydrating & they were worried about getting his body to accept the hydration & hopefully reverse the Ileus without surgery. All I could do was shake uncontrollably - the crying didn't come until later.

3 long days & nights at the Children's Hospital... Finally, the evening of the 2nd day - he started to rehydrate & perk up. We were SO relieved! Then, a very, very rough & difficult night. I was up most of the night with Brock - screaming in pain & having explosive diarrhea. We were worried about him being able to maintain his hydration. They couldn't give him morphine, as it also slowed his bowels -- so, Tylenol was all that he could have. It did take the edge off, thank goodness!

During all of this on Saturday afternoon, Erika was seen in the same Urgent Care (by suggestion of Brock's nurses) & then, also referred to the ER for severe dehydration. We were so blessed that Erika hydrated well & they Dr. said that he would not admit her if we could keep her plenty hydrated. They diagnosed her with "either Rotavirus or Norwalk Virus". Sunday morning.... Brock & I are still trying to catch up on sleep come 9:00am. Around 10:00am the Dr. came in & checked him again - he was looking better & responding great! His output was changing (nice way to put it) & the Dr. suggested we turn off the IV to see if he could remain hydrated on his own. The prayers of all those back home & friends & family far & wide were felt 10-fold. The scans showed his Ileus healing on it's own. The Dr. examined Brock & called his recovery "a miracle". By that afternoon, he was animated, playful & starting to tease - something we NEVER thought we would miss! And that evening, the Dr. released him from the hospital - with the instructions to remain locally for 24 hours in case of any change. He had a great sleep that night - in between Jim & I - at the hotel. By late morning, we had the okay to head home.

The road home was truly blessed. Brock sucked down 9 bottles (he totally regressed during this illness - the only way he would drink anything) of a mixture of Gatorade & Pedialyte in a 4 hour window! He was MORE than hydrated! And has only improved every day. We are now onto the respiratory part of the virus that is like a strong cold & ENJOYING it! His diapers should improve over the next week or so. And Erika is enjoying a day of being fever free - FINALLY! ... 8 days later! An "INTERESTING", "ACTION PACKED" & eye opening family adventure. One I hope NEVER to repeat.... but, with our family & our "normal" luck - won't totally write it off. :)

But, many lessons were truly learned. Of those - some of the greatest are:

One, the faith & prayers of many were heard & answered through a miracle healing of our son - we will be forever grateful.

Two, never underestimate the generosity of friends & family (the lines have truly become blurred).

And Three, Disneyland is NO LONGER the 'most expensive place on Earth'....

St. George, Utah is!