With any luck, this thread is now coming to an end. MacGonigal has been out of hostipal for almost two weeks and is well on the mend. She's off her antibiotics and is back to school - though she's only been back a couple of days and is still on crutches.
Her doctor says that it could take 6 months to a year for her leg to recover fully so she's barred from contact sports and anything else that may put undue strain on her ankle. She will, along with the rest of the family, start going swimming again soon. That should get her off the crutches sooner rather than later. Then life can get back to normal.
Thanks for tuning in. Hopefully, we will not be back for more next week...
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Monday, April 24, 2006
Freeeeedommmmm!
At last! MacGonigal got out of hostipal last Saturday. Her tummy is upset no more. It turns out that it was a bug that caused it. And it's safe for her to go back onto antibiotic tablets - which she'll have to take for another 10-14 days. There's another blood test to negotiate before she finishes probation, but at least she's now out on license :-} I know, I know, not the best metaphor to fall back on but she really does feel as if she has been in prison. That's why she sat and whistled the theme to The Great Escape as we drove away from hostipal...
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Why Are We Waiting?
Well, MacGonigal is still in hostipal and we still don't know what is wrong with her! Apparently, there was some problem with her first stool sample (there was urine mixed into it, or something) so a further one has been sent for analysis. With any luck, some kind of result will come back today.
MacGonigal was feeling better this morning when I saw her, even if she was half asleep. She hasn't vomitted for a while and the diarrhoea seems to be trickling to a halt. Mmm, maybe she'll get better before the results come back?!? Somehow I doubt she'll be that lucky. Anyway, she's still on IV antibiotics and won't be able to come home until she can come off the IV and take them orally.
Mum and Dad can't help but wonder how much longer this will drag on. MacGonigal's been very brave and has done really well all things considered but you can't help but wonder how much more she can take...
MacGonigal was feeling better this morning when I saw her, even if she was half asleep. She hasn't vomitted for a while and the diarrhoea seems to be trickling to a halt. Mmm, maybe she'll get better before the results come back?!? Somehow I doubt she'll be that lucky. Anyway, she's still on IV antibiotics and won't be able to come home until she can come off the IV and take them orally.
Mum and Dad can't help but wonder how much longer this will drag on. MacGonigal's been very brave and has done really well all things considered but you can't help but wonder how much more she can take...
Monday, April 17, 2006
12 Days In Hospital?
It's now Monday and MacGonigal has been in hospital for two more days. She is still suffering from nausea and diarrhoea and still waiting to hear exactly what has caused these. And we still don't know for sure what has caused this setback.
The other day, it seemed likely that it was a reaction to the antibiotics. Now it could be either that or a stomach bug. And until we get some results from the lab to which her samples have been sent, we won't have an answer to that one. Apparently, there could be a further 48 hours delay before we get these results because of the Easter holiday weekend...
I won't get sidetracked by that thorny little issue!!!
Instead, I will share with you a little list that MacGonigal made up. It's called "12 Days In Hospital" and can be sung to a traditional tune which should be easily identified...
12 Blood tests,
11 X-rays,
10 Bed pans,
9 Helpful nurses,
8 Get well cards,
7 Medical students,
6 Uncomfortable beds,
5 Canulas,
4 Doctors,
3 Airplane rides,
2 MRIs,
And a pill shoved up my ass!
She's taken a few liberties with the numbers and not all the events are real but it shows that she still has a sense of humour despite all she has been through. And in total, it's probably more than 12 days in hospital (or "hostipal" as little sister says) but what the hey...
The other day, it seemed likely that it was a reaction to the antibiotics. Now it could be either that or a stomach bug. And until we get some results from the lab to which her samples have been sent, we won't have an answer to that one. Apparently, there could be a further 48 hours delay before we get these results because of the Easter holiday weekend...
I won't get sidetracked by that thorny little issue!!!
Instead, I will share with you a little list that MacGonigal made up. It's called "12 Days In Hospital" and can be sung to a traditional tune which should be easily identified...
12 Blood tests,
11 X-rays,
10 Bed pans,
9 Helpful nurses,
8 Get well cards,
7 Medical students,
6 Uncomfortable beds,
5 Canulas,
4 Doctors,
3 Airplane rides,
2 MRIs,
And a pill shoved up my ass!
She's taken a few liberties with the numbers and not all the events are real but it shows that she still has a sense of humour despite all she has been through. And in total, it's probably more than 12 days in hospital (or "hostipal" as little sister says) but what the hey...
Saturday, April 15, 2006
...And Pours And Pours And Pours
Today is another of those crappy days that you hope to avoid but, no matter what you do, they still manage to track you down and punch you in the face.
After the now infamous "throwing up in the corridor" incident, things kept getting worse for MacGonigal. She wasn't sick again but instead developed a bad dose of diarrhoea. [Had to look the spelling of that one up, Ed.] Mum called NHS 24 that evening to get advice on what to do. After speaking to a nurse, a doctor phoned back and said that it sounded as if MacGonigal had picked up a bug of some sort. The doctor said to stop giving MacGonigal her antibiotics and give 24 hours for the bug to leave her system. By the next day, Mum and Dad were feeling a bit dodgy too so they thought for a while that the doctor was right and that MacGonigal had brought something nasty back from Glasgow with her.
However, the notes that accompany MacGonigal's antibiotics said that if bad diarrhoea occurred we should get in touch with a doctor immediately. So Mum called NHS 24 again and spoke to a nurse, who then arranged for a doctor to call back. This doctor said that if MacGonigal wasn't being sick but just had diarrhoea, it should be safe to start giving her the antibiotics again but at half the specified dose. She should also be given fluids until the diarrhoea passed (pun intended).
By Friday evening, it seemed to have done just that. MacGonigal felt better though tired. So, she settled down and slept through the night. Things were looking brighter until she had several more trips to the bathroom this morning (Saturday). By now, Mum was fed up with what NHS 24 had to say and wasn't going to trust them again. Things just weren't right and they clearly weren't getting better. So Mum drove MacGonigal over to the local hospital's A&E dept. , determined to speak directly to a pediatrician who was properly acquainted with MacGonigal's history.
And now, Mum has phoned me to say that MacGonigal has been admitted to the hospital because it looks as if the diarrhoea had been caused by the antibiotics after all. MacGonigal is going to be on an IV feed for her antibiotics for a few days and it feels as if we're back to square one again!!
In the meantime, I guess we all have to keep rolling with the punches and stay on our feet no matter what.
After the now infamous "throwing up in the corridor" incident, things kept getting worse for MacGonigal. She wasn't sick again but instead developed a bad dose of diarrhoea. [Had to look the spelling of that one up, Ed.] Mum called NHS 24 that evening to get advice on what to do. After speaking to a nurse, a doctor phoned back and said that it sounded as if MacGonigal had picked up a bug of some sort. The doctor said to stop giving MacGonigal her antibiotics and give 24 hours for the bug to leave her system. By the next day, Mum and Dad were feeling a bit dodgy too so they thought for a while that the doctor was right and that MacGonigal had brought something nasty back from Glasgow with her.
However, the notes that accompany MacGonigal's antibiotics said that if bad diarrhoea occurred we should get in touch with a doctor immediately. So Mum called NHS 24 again and spoke to a nurse, who then arranged for a doctor to call back. This doctor said that if MacGonigal wasn't being sick but just had diarrhoea, it should be safe to start giving her the antibiotics again but at half the specified dose. She should also be given fluids until the diarrhoea passed (pun intended).
By Friday evening, it seemed to have done just that. MacGonigal felt better though tired. So, she settled down and slept through the night. Things were looking brighter until she had several more trips to the bathroom this morning (Saturday). By now, Mum was fed up with what NHS 24 had to say and wasn't going to trust them again. Things just weren't right and they clearly weren't getting better. So Mum drove MacGonigal over to the local hospital's A&E dept. , determined to speak directly to a pediatrician who was properly acquainted with MacGonigal's history.
And now, Mum has phoned me to say that MacGonigal has been admitted to the hospital because it looks as if the diarrhoea had been caused by the antibiotics after all. MacGonigal is going to be on an IV feed for her antibiotics for a few days and it feels as if we're back to square one again!!
In the meantime, I guess we all have to keep rolling with the punches and stay on our feet no matter what.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
It Never Rains But It Pours
Well, MacGonigal and her Mum flew back in from Glasgow today. The trip to Yorkhill having been a success!
The doctors are happy that MacGonigal's infection is, in fact, being beaten into submission. It's just taking longer than expected - which is not unusual with osteomyelitis. However, she has to take antibiotics for a few more weeks, by which time it is hoped that the infection will be gone.
Of course, the day was not without its ups and downs. Dad met them at the airport and then he and MacGonigal went back to his office to wait whilst Mum went to do some grocery shopping. Now, MacGonigal had not been feeling to great when she woke up today and had complained of having a dodgy tummy. Sure enough, she was sick in Glasgow airport whilst she and Mum were waiting in line at MacDonald's/Burger King (whichever has the franchise there) - draw your own conclusions about any significance in the location :-) Anyway, she survived that little episode, boarded the plane and enjoyed and incident free flight.
She was all right whilst in Dad's office, even managing to drink a cup of tea. She felt pretty tired though, so didn't do much until Mum phoned to say she was on her way to pick them up. Dad closed up the office and they set off along the corridor to the stairs that would take them to the car park. As luck would have it, he had to run back to the office and returned in time to see poor MacGonigal throw up all over the carpet...
The doctors are happy that MacGonigal's infection is, in fact, being beaten into submission. It's just taking longer than expected - which is not unusual with osteomyelitis. However, she has to take antibiotics for a few more weeks, by which time it is hoped that the infection will be gone.
Of course, the day was not without its ups and downs. Dad met them at the airport and then he and MacGonigal went back to his office to wait whilst Mum went to do some grocery shopping. Now, MacGonigal had not been feeling to great when she woke up today and had complained of having a dodgy tummy. Sure enough, she was sick in Glasgow airport whilst she and Mum were waiting in line at MacDonald's/Burger King (whichever has the franchise there) - draw your own conclusions about any significance in the location :-) Anyway, she survived that little episode, boarded the plane and enjoyed and incident free flight.
She was all right whilst in Dad's office, even managing to drink a cup of tea. She felt pretty tired though, so didn't do much until Mum phoned to say she was on her way to pick them up. Dad closed up the office and they set off along the corridor to the stairs that would take them to the car park. As luck would have it, he had to run back to the office and returned in time to see poor MacGonigal throw up all over the carpet...
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
All Checked Out?
Well, MacGonigal has had her latest battery of blood tests and a fresh MRI scan. The results won't all be in and reviewed until tomorrow so she has to stay in hospital until then. Her doctors seem quite hopeful that she will be discharged tomorrow. Though she probably won't be out in time for her and Mum to catch a plane home. Bummer.
Still, what matters is the final result not the amount of time it takes. Especially as there's a chance she might even be coming off her antibiotics tomorrow.
Fingers crossed. Touch wood. Etc, etc...
Still, what matters is the final result not the amount of time it takes. Especially as there's a chance she might even be coming off her antibiotics tomorrow.
Fingers crossed. Touch wood. Etc, etc...
Monday, April 10, 2006
Check Up Time
Today, MacGonigal and her mum flew off to Glasgow again. Little sister and I have just returned from seeing them off at the airport. They should be at Yorkhill before midday.
After MacGonigal's recent check up at our local hospital, they docs at Yorkhill decided that they wanted to see her again. She's still experiencing the odd twinge of pain in her ankle and, every once in a while, it gets very warm to the touch. So, they want to make doubly sure that all is well in there and that the infection is in check. This means another MRI scan and more of the dreaded blood tests.
Hopefully, the docs will be impressed with her progress (despite the above concerns) as she can now walk for short spells without her crutches. Most of the time, she gets by with one crutch. This is good, because it means she's able to do more and is helping out round the house again by doing stuff like drying dishes. She is also getting to be a dab hand at knitting and is working on a present for one of her relatives. Unfortunately she is also having to do all the work sent home for her by her school just before the Easter break began. But she doesn't have any problem doing that.
Anyway, MacGonigal will have to spend at least one night in Yorkhill so little sister and I are at home waiting for news. Hopefully it won't take long to come and will be of the good variety!
After MacGonigal's recent check up at our local hospital, they docs at Yorkhill decided that they wanted to see her again. She's still experiencing the odd twinge of pain in her ankle and, every once in a while, it gets very warm to the touch. So, they want to make doubly sure that all is well in there and that the infection is in check. This means another MRI scan and more of the dreaded blood tests.
Hopefully, the docs will be impressed with her progress (despite the above concerns) as she can now walk for short spells without her crutches. Most of the time, she gets by with one crutch. This is good, because it means she's able to do more and is helping out round the house again by doing stuff like drying dishes. She is also getting to be a dab hand at knitting and is working on a present for one of her relatives. Unfortunately she is also having to do all the work sent home for her by her school just before the Easter break began. But she doesn't have any problem doing that.
Anyway, MacGonigal will have to spend at least one night in Yorkhill so little sister and I are at home waiting for news. Hopefully it won't take long to come and will be of the good variety!
Monday, April 03, 2006
To Hell In A Handbasket?
Well, it has been a while. And you might think that's because after my last post here, things went to hell in a handbasket. I mean, talk about leaving things hanging...
Fortunately, all that shivering and temperature raising was just the onset of a rather bad dose of the flu. We took MacGonigal to the hospital again because of it all but they weren't too concerned. They asked us to keep an eye on her temperature and to get back in touch if it went up above 38.5 degrees centigrade and stayed up. This was on a Thursday. By Saturday, her temperature was pretty steady around the 37 mark and though she felt pretty poorly, there was no cause for alarm.
Since then, things have been getting better and better. MacGonigal is still taking antibiotics and probably will continue with these for another week or two. She can now get about over short distances without her crutches and, with lots of exercise and plenty to eat, she is building her strength back up. Another trip to Yorkhill is in the offing - just to check that the bone is healing properly.
So, the end of this thread is fast approaching. Or so I hope...
Fortunately, all that shivering and temperature raising was just the onset of a rather bad dose of the flu. We took MacGonigal to the hospital again because of it all but they weren't too concerned. They asked us to keep an eye on her temperature and to get back in touch if it went up above 38.5 degrees centigrade and stayed up. This was on a Thursday. By Saturday, her temperature was pretty steady around the 37 mark and though she felt pretty poorly, there was no cause for alarm.
Since then, things have been getting better and better. MacGonigal is still taking antibiotics and probably will continue with these for another week or two. She can now get about over short distances without her crutches and, with lots of exercise and plenty to eat, she is building her strength back up. Another trip to Yorkhill is in the offing - just to check that the bone is healing properly.
So, the end of this thread is fast approaching. Or so I hope...
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Here We Go Again?!?
Things had been going well for a few days. Perhaps too well?
MacGonigal was exercising her ankle, trying to relieve the stiffness that had built up in the muscle and tendons due to lack of use. She could take a few steps without the aid of her crutches but Mum & Dad thought that might be pushing things too far too soon. She hardly had any pain in her leg and seldom needed to take any painkillers. The antibiotic tablets seemed to be doing their thing. MacGonigal was happy for what felt like the first time in years. The last 3-4 weeks had been enough to wear anyone down.
Her appetite was coming back slowly and she was starting to regain some of the weight she had lost. However, some of her family and friends who hadn't seen her for a few weeks got a bit of a surprise on seeing how frail she looked. But she was getting better and Mum & Dad were reallly proud of her.
Everyone felt good. Everyone felt happy. Everyone thought the worst was over.
And then it happened.
MacGonigal started to feel a bit listless. Her appetite was fading and she felt tired. Before anyone knew what was happening, her temperature shot up. She started to shiver and feel cold just as she had when the trouble started so many weeks ago.
Mum & Dad couldn't believe it. Was their poor little girl heading right back to square one?
MacGonigal was exercising her ankle, trying to relieve the stiffness that had built up in the muscle and tendons due to lack of use. She could take a few steps without the aid of her crutches but Mum & Dad thought that might be pushing things too far too soon. She hardly had any pain in her leg and seldom needed to take any painkillers. The antibiotic tablets seemed to be doing their thing. MacGonigal was happy for what felt like the first time in years. The last 3-4 weeks had been enough to wear anyone down.
Her appetite was coming back slowly and she was starting to regain some of the weight she had lost. However, some of her family and friends who hadn't seen her for a few weeks got a bit of a surprise on seeing how frail she looked. But she was getting better and Mum & Dad were reallly proud of her.
Everyone felt good. Everyone felt happy. Everyone thought the worst was over.
And then it happened.
MacGonigal started to feel a bit listless. Her appetite was fading and she felt tired. Before anyone knew what was happening, her temperature shot up. She started to shiver and feel cold just as she had when the trouble started so many weeks ago.
Mum & Dad couldn't believe it. Was their poor little girl heading right back to square one?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
