Donovan returns home from the hospital

Donovan is finally home after spending a week in the hospital. Last weekend Donovan was not acting like himself and we could tell he was getting sick. We gave him his nebulizer treatments (albuterol) but it just didn't seem like it was doing anything for him. So on Tuesday Michelle took him in to see the doctor. His oxygen saturation was very low so he was admitted to the hospital immediately. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting that news while I was at work. I knew he was sick but I didn't realize he was doing so poorly.
With some coordination by Michelle I was able to take my dinner break and meet our hometeacher at the hospital to give Donovan a blessing. That visit had to be the fastest hospital visit I've ever done since I had to be back to work (including travel time) in just 30 minutes. I'm very glad we were able to administer to him because by Wednesday Donovan's condition worsened. His oxygen saturation (O2 sat) dropped below 80% even though he was on 6 liters of oxygen (L/min). His heart beat was racing at 180 bpm and his respirations were up to 70 rpm. The doctors we seriously considering life-flighting Donovan up to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City. I found all of this out while I was at work!
Fortunately Donovan began to stabalize at that point and the doctor was able to keep Donovan at Utah Valley Region Medical Center (UVRMC). His repirations dropped to 30 rpm, heart rate dropped to 120 bpm and his O2 was reduced to 3 L/m. Although he was getting more stable he was still in the hospital for another 5 days. We were very blessed that Michelle's mom was able to come down and stay with Donovan until Saturday and come back on Sunday night.

We discovered that Donovan had RSV, a virus that can makes kids very ill and hits the lungs pretty hard. In this case is caused a severe asthmatic attach which was keeping Donovan from getting the oxygen he needed. And because of the inflammation he began to develop pneumonia in the bottom of both lungs. In spite of his poor condition he was very polite to all the nurses and the doctors. In fact, all of the hospital staff had nothing but nice things to say about Donovan through out his stay.

Donovan finally came off the oxygen on Monday about noon. He was able to maintain his O2 sat at 90% for 8 hours so the doctor let him come home. We took Donovan to see our regular doctor on Tuesday and Donovan checked out as still doing ok, still healing. He was cleared for school yesterday and made a grand entrance to a cheering classroom! Apparently all of his friends at school had missed him during the past week. He is still on a several medications but he appears to really be on the mend.
This week has been real tough on our family but we are grateful for Donovan coming back home to us. We are grateful to Grandma Petersen for spending a week with Donovan in the hospital. And we are grateful for our ward friends who have helped with prayers, meals and babysitting through out this family trial. Most of all we are grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who has watched over all of us and blessed us greatly.
Welcome home Donovan!