Dear Friends,

As you may have noticed I have not posted much in the last 10 days. My 3-year-old son, Ethan is being treated for severe pneumonia at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

Ethan was admitted with a high fever and difficulty catching his breath last Saturday. An X-ray revealed a pneumonia of the right lung. He was treated for 5 days and released, Thursday. On Sunday, I didn't like the way he looked and we brought him back to the ER only to discover the pneumonia had actually worsened.

So here I sit beside his hospital crib, typing as he sleeps. They have wireless internet access in the room but I've been too exhausted to post until now. I have not left my son's side except for a couple of brief naps. They have a chair that unfolds to a bed where I have stayed next to him.

I cannot say enough about the care Ethan has received at this hospital. Their ER is the finest I have seen and the doctors and nurses of 4 south have been wonderful to our family.

At this point we are waiting to see if the doctors will decide to place a chest tube to drain the fluid in Ethan's lung. He is currently resting comfortably with supplmental oxygen and is on IV antibiotics.

Mommy is anxious but hanging in there.

I appreciated your understanding and support as I continue to care for my son. I'll update when I know more.

Warmest regards,
Lenore

OMG Lenore.. I will pray for Ethans quick healing.

Sending prayers to you little one for a speedy recovery! Get well soon! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Dear Lenore & family,
I am sending healing thoughts and love your way, for Ethan, you and your family. He couldn't be in better hands...by that I mean YOURS. I am also thankful you've got such a great hospital to care for him. Best best wishes,
Mindy

get well soon Ethan!

Sandy

I'm adding my prayers too and sending healing thoughts to Ethan and to the whole family. You must al be so worried.

Hello Everyone,

As you know, Ethan was admitted to Joe DiMaggio Hospital on March 10 and given IV antibiotics. He was discharged after 5 days. Two days later on Sunday March 18 I didn't like the way he looked and brought him back into the hospital. On March 22 Ethan was anesthetized and placed on a respirator to facilitate three procedures that we were fortunate to be able to co-ordinate at the same time. The pediatric pulmonary specialist performed a branchioscope to rule out a foreign object. The intensivist placed a subclavian line from just under Ethan's clavicle that extended about 6 inches ending in Ethan's heart. Finally, the intensivist placed a chest tube into Ethan's right side that ultimately drained about 300ccs of fluid from around Ethan's right lung (pleural cavity). This is equivalent to about 2 litres from an Adult.

Following these procedures, Ethan remained on the respirator to help his injured lung expand for the remainder of the day. Once the intensivist was happy with the resultant x-ray, he weaned Ethan off the respirator and placed a nasal canula. Ethan remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with me by his side for about 24 hours. Then we were moved to the Pediatric Surgical Unit where we remained until March 28.

Once the pleural fluid was drained, Ethan began to make excellent progress. On March 26 he was finally able to sit up by himself without asking me to help him. This was a joyous day. Ethan had lost over 2 pounds which is about 7% of his total weight. Luckily he was in very good shape before all of this began.

I never left the hospital, sleeping by Ethan's hospital crib. Occaisionally I went across the street to the Parent's Club House for a couple of hours rest but it was very difficult for me to sleep during this ordeal. As a result, I'm completely exhausted. I'm going to have to take it easy for few days before I can launch back into my duties as moderator of this site and set to work on the many emails waiting for me.

Ethan is continuing to recover at home. At times he runs around like it never happened and at others he asks to lie down are rest. We don't anticipate he will be able to fly back to Montreal before the middle of April.

I appreciate your patience as I focused my attention on my little boy. I'm sorry for any inconvenience my absence may have caused.

Best, Lenore

I haven't been on the site for quite a while and just read about what happened with Ethan. Just wanted to say I am so happy he is out of the hospital and running around!