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Posted over 12 years ago

My Sick Daughter - Hoping for Your Positive Energies

Hey guys -  I'm pretty quiet about my personal life, but in this case, I feel like we can use all the positive vibes we can get.  My daughter (2yrs+) has been sick for a few weeks with fevers, but it has gotten much worse over the past few days (starting Saturday) when these started spiking in the 104+ range (105+ last night and today).  We've been at Children's Hospital here in Denver since Tuesday (have been at hospitals and ERs since Saturday at 4am) and they are trying to figure out what's going on, but we still don't have many answers.     Their team has been wonderful, and they are clearly working hard to solve this mystery, but we're just not sure when that will happen -- we're definitely going to be here until at least tomorrow.  There are several theories, but no real direction - yet.
I don't have to tell you how harrowing this has been for me and my family, but having a child in isolation is one of the scariest things you can possibly experience.
I've been checking in on work when I get a few minutes in the day, primarily because work is really the only thing to distract me - temporarily, of course.  I guess I'm sharing this publicly, first so you understand why I'm not responsive to your messages and why I've had to cancel appointments and other business matters.  Secondly, I really hope that some positive mojo and thoughts can help bring a little cheer to my little girl.
Thanks for listening and I'll keep you all posted as any relevant news emerges.
Josh   Update 1:25pm Thursday:   If anyone wants to send something, we've already gotten some incredibly generous gifts from both the hospital and a volunteer organization called The Network of Care;  these have really brightened her days so far.  
Please consider donating money, children's books, or gifts to this group or your local Children's hospital.    Update 7:03pm Thursday:   It is starting to look like we may be dealing with Salmonella, but nothing is for certain right now.  What we have been told is that she's likely going to have to be here at least through the weekend.  The isolation is definitely starting to get very difficult for her . . .   Update 1:44pm Friday:   The doctors are more convinced that we're dealing with Salmonella, but the definitive results won't be in until tonight/tomorrow.  While unpleasant, at least we'd have an answer and hopefully a speedy resolution.  We won't be leaving here until her fevers go away and are definitely here until Monday at the earliest.    Update Thursday 8/18/11 10:26am:  The nightmare is over . . . we removed the PICC line this morning and are going to go and celebrate!    Thank you again to everyone who had her in your thoughts and prayers. 

Comments (80)

  1. Thanks to the rest of you for your comments. Cliff - If you've been through it, you can truly understand how scary that was for us. Easily the scariest period of my life . . . I appreciate the thoughts.


  2. Wow Joshua, I haven't been on the site for a while And my heart just sank hearing about your daughter being sick. My daughter had the same problem when she was 2 so I understand what you went through. I am very glad to hear that she is doing much better.


  3. Great news! So sorry you had to go through this... But, great to see it's behind you!


  4. Glad to hear it's behind y'all now. Praise GOD!


  5. Dude... I can't even imagine the mental anguish you've been suffering through over this. I've got a 5 year old boy and a new baby girl on the way and there's NOTHING in the World that get's the tears rolling quicker than just "Thinking" about something happening to one of my own. Heck,even reading about your baby girl has the folks in the Coffee shop staring at me like I'm a teary eyed basket case. I've made it a habit to pray for people during those moments that used to get my blood boiling because I'm so impatient. So I'll be thinking of you and your family while I'm in the slow grocery line, on hold and during that last .50 cents at the prepay gas pumps. Take care. Eric Medemar


  6. It is officially over! About an hour ago we removed the PICC line . . . we're going to go and celebrate!


  7. Hey Josh, Family, my kids have always been number one. Regardless of how good things have gone. I was found in 09 with acute renial failure in my fort lauderdale house. I was given a 10% chance of survival. I am a single Dad, with mom no where in the picture. Alot prayers where given and I am 100% functional, asymptomatic. I am so blessed. I do not take the small things or big to serious anymore. I am so glad to see things progressed in the positive way.


  8. Rejoice my friend. Prayer changes everything. I know its hard to keep ya head up in the storm, but you will make it through.


  9. Hey Josh, Just Read the entire post starting from the start. I am glad to hear that all is alright and that your daughter is on the mend. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Steve


  10. I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, but everything will turn out fine and she'll come out of it stronger than ever, your daughter and the rest of your family will be added to my prayers.


  11. Joshua -- My thoughts are with you and your family. Thank you for sharing this experience, I hope the many positive thoughts have strengthened your daughter, you, and the rest of the family. I've been through the home IV treatment with my daughter and, as you are finding out personally, all the personal fears (mine was needles and blood) and business commitments fall into the background when your child needs you. The Bigger Pockets community is here supporting you and your family with good thoughts and prayers and will be here to celebrate and talk deals whenever you get back.


  12. Take your time! Your daughter is on the mend and you need to rest and take care of you too after all those sleepless nights! Sounds like you and your family needs a well deserved vacation after all of this!


  13. Josh - just got caught up on the situation and wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. I have a 3 year old at home and can't even imagine what a roller coaster you've been on. ...praying for a speedy and complete recovery for your daughter.


  14. Thank you to all our family and friends who continue to share their thoughts.


  15. Josh, I just saw the posting about Zoe's illness. Tom and I are hoping that she's rapidly on the way back to excellent health and that life will return to normalcy for all of you very soon.


  16. Glad to hear that she is on her way to recovery.


  17. So sorry to hear what your family and especially your little girl has gone through. We are sending love and wishes for a quick recovery your way. Cousin Tami


  18. Glad everything has turned out ok. When you return to some degree of normalcy i'd be curious to hear why it took them so long to diagnose salmonella?


  19. Josh, Finally an answer. This must have been horrible to go through. Glad to hear you are home. My prayers are with you and your family for a quick recovery.


  20. Josh - I've gone through some family difficulty myself lately and I know how trying this can be. Hang in there. You're doing great. Glad to hear she is on the mend. I hope for a speedy recovery. Your family is in our prayers.


  21. Let me know when you are ready. We are all set to go, just giving you as much space and time that you need for the family.


  22. Thanks for the update - we are sending you lots of love and good wishes. Nice work on today's work - it will get easier but you guys have had it so rough we are praying for healthy healthy babies from now on. Give kisses to all your girls for us. Love, DL, JL, RL & SL.


  23. @Jeff - Thanks buddy! @Shae - Nice to see you around these parts. As someone who knows how private I typically am, I'm sure you get how much this is affecting me. @Greg - It really is. @Tom - I definitely have. Lets link up next week.


  24. Wow Josh, you have had too much stress for the past week. Praying for you guys and have been thinking of you daily.


  25. Glad you got the help you needed Josh. Gotta be every parent's nightmare.


  26. Josh! I'm just seeing this and catching up on everything now. Your daughter is in my prayers and I'm wishing her a speedy recovery. I know what it's like to feel helpless when your children are sick... and considering how guarded you typically are about sharing personal stuff, I know that this has been really tough.


  27. Firing up Mom's prayer tree immediately.


  28. Well, we went home yesterday and when the time came to flush her IV line with saline and heparin, the drama began. Lets just say that I wish I knew beforehand that a tiny bubble in the IV is ok . . . when I saw one after putting in the saline, we freaked a bit and called the hospital for advice. The advice -- go to the ER and they'll help out. Well, by the time we got there, there was a clot in her line and I freaked out. The first ER couldn't break it and sent us on our way to another - more prepared one - by this time I had spoken with far too many people who probably weren't experienced enough to be giving advice about the situation. Lets just say that I was under the understanding that this clot that resulted due to my lack of education about bubbles, could break off and enter her heart. For the hours that followed until the situation was resolved, I was under the impression that I might be responsible for a potential clot causing the unthinkable. Fast forward to 1am this morning and the clot had been broken down, sucked out, and her line flushed out. We finally got home and got her to bed by close to 2am. Frankly, I'm extremely shaken by the whole experience . . . We had our home health nurse come over today to help administer the first home dose of medicine and we learned a lot of tips and techniques to simplify the process. This evening I managed to flush her line without incident and am feeling a tad more confident -- but shaken, nonetheless. Thanks again to all of you for checking in and for your thoughts and prayers still. Hopefully after the 10 days of meds are done, we'll have seen the last of an IV around here for a LONG TIME! To those of you waiting on me to get back to you, give me a little time. I'm definitely extremely worn out and on edge. Hopefully we can start to reconnect with everyone in the week to come.


  29. Hey Josh -- sending our collective love to your brave little girl (and the rest of the family). Glad to hear the positive outcome and wish her a speedy recovery and back to play time with the ole man! These are "perspective" points in our lives. *** David ***


  30. Josh, I'm glad to hear things are going better! I haven't been on the site for what seems like forever so I totally missed this. Thankfully, the news is good.


  31. Josh, I have been off the site but saw this post. My wife and I are praying for your daughter and your family. We look forward to hearing about her speedy recovery :-)


  32. Josh I've been checking on here frequently for news on your daughter. so glad to hear that she is doing better and is heading home. Good health to you and your family!


  33. Josh I've been checking here often for an update and i am so glad that i saw this. so glad to hear that your daughter is doing well..wishing you all good health -Jen


  34. WOW! Thanks for the good news! I am a dog person so I have to suggest a loving pet to help her take her mind off her problem. Josh, Hurry back to BP. We miss not having you to complain to! LOL


  35. Thank you for the update, with a positive outlook. Hopefully, a speedy recover for your daughter. Raymond


  36. Good news everyone we have some answers. We learned that she does in fact have Salmonella - which while scary, is treatable, though it would have been much less severe had we caught it sooner. The drugs that they've been giving her have been working. The fevers have actually been gone for over 24 hours and we've gotten the green light to go home some time this afternoon. I can't tell you all how much of a relief this is. That said, we're going to be dealing this for some time to come and I'll personally have to learn how to administer IV antibiotics for well over a week. That wasn't something I hoped I'd ever have to deal with, but if it makes my little girl better, I'll gladly do it. Thank you everyone who has taken the time to share your thoughts and prayers with us. I can't tell you how much it has meant to us. I also want to thank everyone who has helped throughout this horrific experience. All of the amazing people at the hospital, the doctors, nurses, our family, and friends have all made it a bit easier to get through it all. Lets hope her recovery is a speedy one.


  37. Josh, My little girl is 22 now, but those scares and fears are as memorable as yesterday. You and your little one are in my prayers. Candace


  38. Josh,my prayers and positive vibes are with you brother. I look forward to a very healthy recovery. ~Matt


  39. My prayers are with you and your daughter. Here's hoping she is running around, playing and jumping as soon as possible!!


  40. Josh, I hope your daughter feeling better today. I'll keep your family in my prayers.


  41. Josh, Pull through, I wish you all the best, and I hope see gets well soon. Matt


  42. My prayers are with you and your little one My wife and I had a very similar experience when my daughter fell ill with the same exact symptoms last may. They had no real explanation of what the cause of the fevers were and after every imaginable test possible they thank fully found nothing! All I can say is GOD is REAL and PRAYER WORKS! Have Faith He will pull you through!! PM if there is any other questions I could answer...


  43. Josh, I will send up a prayer to the Almighty for a speedy recovery for your little girl. As the father of a 21 month old boy, I can only imagine what you're going through. I wish all the best for you and your extended family. Anthony


  44. Josh - I wish the best for you and your daughter, and the best with healing. Unfortunately a lot of western medicine methods don't deal with getting to the real cure, but just deal with covering symptoms and prescribing pharmaceuticals. If you would like to get some input/information on how to make sure you eliminate all the toxins related to salmonella very effectively and naturally to really eliminate the problem and cure, let me know. Similar to Real Estate Investing, having the best information can be very vital. When it comes to your own health and the health of your loved ones you really want to know how to keep healthy and cure problems the right way, which may not always be what the doctors are compelled to push. Just something to think about, especially as a parent. Take very good care, Dwayne


  45. Glad to hear that they have targeted it to Salmonella. Praying and thinking about you guys.


  46. Sending prayers for your daughter and family. Josh find strength in knowing that many here at BP are thinking of you at this time. We all look forward to hearing positive news of your daughter's recovery.


  47. For Josh and family my prayers for daughter’s quick recovery and you the strength to be there for her. Thank you for sharing as it reminded me again that each day is a gift and use it wisely!


  48. Healing Mojo, happy thoughts, and fervent prayers coming your way. I don't know how I missed this Josh, sorry. And there you were earlier back at it, watching over the site. Amazing. Hope that's a sign things are getting better.


  49. Are thoughts are with you and the family!!!!


  50. Your daughter is in our prayers! I'm sure if she's anything like her father her spirit will bounce her back in no time. In the mean while, we're all here for you! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you find your smile.


  51. Best wishes for a speedy recovery! If they're still thinking salmonella, I'm sure you're aware of the latest recall of 36mm lbs of ground turkey and the latest outbreaks on the west coast - hopefully they find the cause and nail it. The human body is a remarkably strong fighter - i'm sure she will turn around soon! Anthony


  52. Thanks everyone for the continued messages. Last night was a bit easier than the previous few, but more of the same. We're just hoping for some test results today that point in one direction or another so we at least have some answers.


  53. My prayers are with you and your family. I hope they are right about the diagnosis. Is she turning around? Aelaf


  54. Keeping you and your family in our thoughts! The docs can do amazing things once they know what they're up against. Keep the positive outlook and things will get better.


  55. So sorry for what you're going through. I can barely handle my daughter getting a cold. Sending prayers and energy your way. Update us soon, with good news, ok?


  56. Josh, Praying for a speedy recovery.


  57. My thoughts and prayers are with you.


  58. Josh, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I imagine the entire BP community feels the same.


  59. Hoping and praying for your kid Josh.


  60. Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. I just added an update above . . .


  61. Josh, Keeping you and your family especially Zoe in my thoughts and prayers.


  62. Josh, My family and I will be praying for you and yours! I will be standing by if you need anything!


  63. Josh, my prayers for strength are with you & your family.


  64. Josh, I'm so sorry y'all are going through this. I'm praying for complete healing and extra strength for you and your family. Please keep us updated.


  65. So sorry, prayers and good vibes to you and your family. Childrens Hospital is an awesome place, your little girl is in good hands. Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery.


  66. Josh, I have two daughters and know how difficult it is to see them in pain. You and your family are in my prayers.


  67. Josh, I can only imagine what you are feeling and thinking about. My complete positive energy is with you guys right now. Put everything out of your mind about work and focus YOUR energy with the ones who need it the most right now.


  68. Josh - I'm sorry to hear about this and wishing your daughter a healthy and speedy recovery. Kevin said it best, family first. We'll be sending our thoughts to you and your family. Justin


  69. Praying for you and your daughter. My son went through something very much like this at age 6 and it was a struggle. The great news is that he is an energetic 11 yr old now. Let me know what I can do to help. T


  70. Josh, I can't imagine what you must be going through. We'll be praying for her and your family. I hope to hear a speedy recovery soon. thanks for sharing with us. John


  71. Summoning all our healing energy to help you and your family at this difficult time. Hope good news and a full recovery comes your way soon.


  72. Josh.. wishing your little girl a speedy recovery... sending good thoughts to you and your family -Jen


  73. Oh Josh, I am so sorry to hear. I really hope all will be well and little Zoe will be back running around and being herself really soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys and am sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Please keep us posted. Much love, Danielle and the fam


  74. Thanks guys. I just added an update to the post above regarding gifts.


    1. Joshua:

      1st: your name is my favorite.

      2- You might think that it is too late to act upon my reply, but once I read your story and your daughter with high fever, I couldn't help but register and write you this very IMPORTANT comment.

      If your daughter had over 100 range fever, you might want to ask /demand the Dr to get the EEG. do not take no for an answer, the effect of this high fever might not show it right now but once she goes to menstrual period (age 16-18) when her hormones start to change, then what might happen as a result of the high fever in childhood and it's impact on the post synaptic of the brain and generation of extra/high frequency of Electromagnetic, would be 'Epilepsy' in adulthood life. That is why I recommend you to ask Dr/ better Neurologist for an EEG, NOW.

      Don't wait, always prevent.


  75. Josh, My prayers are with you and your family and I have full faith that your daughter will get well real soon.


  76. Sending lots of positive energy & prayers your way!


  77. Thinking of you and your family and sending good thoughts your way.


  78. Josh, I will send out all my positive vibes & mojo towards your daughter. Let me know if there's anything else I can do. If she has a favorite cartoon character/doll/toy please give me an address I can mail a gift to. Loc


  79. Family first, Josh My prayers are with you and with your precious one.