Update on Mateo

We have received such a wonderful support from friends and family, I just thought I would update everyone on how Mateo is doing. For those of you who may not now what is going on I will give you a brief update. First, Mateo had been sick for almost a week so after much thought we figured it was best that we take him to our pediatritian. So Monday with a fever, latargy and all I took him. Even though I had to carry him we made it. We talked with the nurse, got vitals, weight (which he had lost 7 pounds in a month), etc the doctor came in and took one look at Mateo and told me he would be hospitalized. I was shocked. She also had him tested for strep which he tested positive for. She had him hospitalized for dehydration and was thinking he had juvenile diabetes (which is possible since Aaron's sister has it). I felt really good about that diagnoisis since we had been having some wetting and he was completely dehydrated. I made a few call, and with lots of tears went to Logan Regional medical Center. We were admitted and a series of tests were performed. Juvenile diabetes was looking to be the most likely cause of all this sickness. So the doctor wanted to confirm the diagnosis only to find out that it could be leukimia or menengitis. With more tests it pointed more and more to meningitis. At this point since we are lucky enough to live in Utah, I was asked if I wanted a blessing to be administered. Which I agreed to since Aaron didn't have a way to the hospital to do so. (That is in and of it self a whole other experience. All I can say is the priesthood is real and true). Sothe next test was a spinal tap. Since Mateo had been complaining of headaches the doctor took some precautions and called to get a second opionion on preforming a spinal tap (as it is very dangerous to perform this procedure with so much pressure and tension in the head. Hemoragging can occur and it can become a life threatening problem) So when she talked to a doctor at Primary Children's, they indicated that there was too big of a risk for the doctor to perform it at that hospital and so they told her to have Mateo life flighted to Primary children's. So the doctor spoke with me and at that point I bursted into tears. The wonderful doctor was very supportive and reassuring. Also in the mean time since Jacob had been sick they wanted me to get him into the clinic right away so we could get tests run. So off I went to pick up Aaron and Jacob, get Adan situated at a neighbor's house for the night. Aaron dropped me off at the hospital and took Jacob to the doctor. I said many prayers so that I could go with Mateo while he was being transported to SLC. When I returned to the hospital they indicated that we would be traveling via an ambulance since the roads were too bad. About an hour later the ambulance and life flight crew arrived. The crew determined Mateo was going to need Morphine in order to make the ride. The crew was so worried about the condition that he was put on oxygen at one point and almost put on a breathing tube. They also got clearance to fly from Ogden the rest of the way so we rode the helicopter from Odgen to SLC (which parents are not allowed on but given his circumstance they can me special permission.) We made it Primary Childrens and we were immediately take to the ER, after more tests and waiting we were taken to ICU and monitored for the night. We are now on a regular floor and Mateo contunues to make improvements. They have determined that he has Bacterial Meningitis that is not contagigious. It is the kind you have been immunized for. We were given the explanation about this condition and basically it is life threatening (which of course we did not know, and if it is not detected in the first 24 hours the patient will die. I am so amazingly grateful to my Pediatrician for following her instincts. Even though it wasn't what she initially thought but for taking precautions given his state. Mateo is doing good. He has some ups and downs but that is to be expected. We will be here for a couple more days. We will have to wait and see how his body is reacting to the treatment. He continues to have fevers, discomfort, and unable to hold down food. We will have to solve these problems before we can go home.
I am sorry for the lengthy update but I thought some of our friends and family would appreciate it. We want everyone to know that we have felt the power of your prayers. We appreciate the emails we received when we got transferred to our new room. Mateo perked up to hear the letter. We are so grateful to our neighbors that are taking care of Adan and my sister who has Jacob even though at first we didn't know if he was contagious, and many many more people who have called and shared their love with us. We have felt the hand of the Lord touch us at this time of need. I am so grateful for Mateo and the role he has in our family. His resilence and patience through this all. Mateo is so strong and I am so grateful we are making it through this. Thank you thank you everyone. I really really appreciate our Mississippi friends for their kindness. We appreciate the Byrd family,the support we have received in Logan from people we don't know very well and all the sacrfices our family has made on our behalf. I am just so thankful to our Heavenly Father that Mateo is still with us. I love him so much. I know it isn't the way I imagined spending his half birthday doing but I am just grateful I can be with him and care for him. This experience has been so touching for me.