Bennett has been transferred to a special hospital

Yesterday evening, Bennett began to go into severe respiratory distress, despite being on tons of medications and 2 liters of oxygen, plus an oxygen tent. His heart was showing signs of distress and he was working so very very hard to breathe. The doctor was afraid that he would "crash" if it went on much longer. They don't have a level 3 PICU at our local hospital, so they wouldn't be able to support him if he needed to be intubated or on any higher level of support. The repeat x-rays showed that the pneumonia had in fact spread, not improved. So the decision was made to transfer him to the Children's Hospital where his pulmonologist is based, and where they have a high level PICU, if God-forbid, we needed it. This hospital has a special floor just for kids with respiratory issues like Bennett has.

So, we were transferred last night. Bennett was alert and just looking around the whole ambulance drive, it was so cute! They monitored him for a few hours after we got there to determine if he needed to go straight to ICU or if we could start with immediate care. They decided the immediate care floor would be appropriate, and we got settled in and met with a bunch of doctors and came up with a care plan. They have him on new antibiotics and new lung meds. He is still on a good amount of oxygen, but seems much more stable. He even perked up some this afternoon, ate a 3 ounce bottle, a part of a banana and talked to us for a while! It was so nice to see him feeling better!!! I am realllly praying he came home soon! The pulmonologist thinks it will be a few more days.

Today is Carter's FOURTH birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it! I came home tonight and Ace is at the hospital with Bennett so I could see my baby on his birthday! I haven't had more than 3 hours of sleep a night since this started, so I may stay home and sleep tonight...if I'm brave enough!

Here are some pictures from our adventures thus far...

This is Sunday night after two bags of IV fluid - a VERY swollen Bennett!!!


This is Monday - Bennett was trying to play, but he was just too tuckered out!

This is the boy in the bubble (aka oxygen tent - it was like a spa treatment!)



Here he is passed out in daddy's arms - he sleeps 98% of the day...



And here he is this morning at the new hospital in his cute little blue hospital gown - fast asleep!



Thanks for all of your prayers. Hopefully, Bennett will be home soon and on his way to a VERY healthy rest of the year!!!!