I will say that he is now admitted to the hospital, and an expert on vector bites has confirmed that he has a classic brown recluse spider bite and toxicity. He will continue to get worse, until he gets better. In the meantime, they are monitoring his kidney function via blood-work and urinalysis and urine output.
Poor Josh looks like a tomato and is getting redder and redder and that bite is getting deader and deader.
We are here in the pediatric unit of Integris Baptist Hospital for a bit.
It DOES such being right all the time, especially in this instance.
Mr. Bubbles is home from work today waging jihad against all arachnids. I feel bad for the daddy long legs!
OMG Brandi!!!We all hope Josh gets well soon Poor baby,we shall keep you in our prayers and thoughts,Hug,kisses and snuggles from Speedy,xx Rachel and Speedy and Hubby
ReplyDeleteOh, Brandi, I feel so sorry for Josh. Heavens, I was about to do some house cleaning today, but I think I am going to go stand in a big pan of water in the middle of our kitchen. I had just been thinking about those little creatures. I know you have read everything on the web, but I just have to mention reading that where they do live, they live in colonies of hundreds. The author was trying to convince readers that they were not likely to be bitten. Please tell Mr. Bubbles to be careful. I, too, have a long tradition of sharing my home with spiders. My dear friend Joan from Manchester years ago called one a money spider, I think. They are supposed to be lucky. Forgive me, I am rattling on, because I am so rattled. It sounds like josh has a special sensitivity to them. Stopping now to say prayers.
ReplyDeleteBrandi, I remember reading about an anti-venom. It exists.
ReplyDeleteYou would be hard pressed to convince these doctors of an anti-venom.
DeleteHe is going through the hemolytic process now, his red cells are breaking down, so they are flooding his system with fluids to keep the kidneys from being damaged.
He is ranges now from a sickly yellow to a nice day-glo watermelon pink. The expert says that the toxin follows the lymphatic system, that is why he is so red. His pain is under control and he actually refused the morphine after his lunch.
He is cranky as an ole bawr (bear) and I wish they would give him something for his pissy attitude before I have to put a spider in his mouth and hope it bites his tongue.
I am exhausted and have not slept well. This little room is nice and cozy and I can adjust the temp, there is a private bathroom with a shower and tub, potential for two extra beds for mom and dad, and a little kitchen down the hall that has a soda pop fountain, coffee, crackers, juice...
And the nurses are way sweet, always asking if they can get us anything. We are watching Gunsmoke at the moment.
That fever is a sonofabitch, too.
Oh Brandi it sounds horrible for you all sick kids are always cranky from what I have seen of my Nice when she was sick,seems a bit silly if there is anti venom not to give it,love you guys,xx Rachel and Speedy
ReplyDeleteI will take picture of the bite and his rash in a bit and post them. I think at this point, if there is an antivenom, it might be too late to do anything with it.
DeleteBrandi, I know the anti-venom exists. It is milked from the spider and injected into horses and the blood of the horses is the anti-venom or the basis of it. I wasn't kidding about reading about this stuff just the other day. A friend of mine is convinced of their having been bitten by a recluse once. Their solution given the circumstances was massive amounts of over the counter Benadryl. It was their only recourse. They experienced the being on fire feeling and redness, but they made it through. I am guessing this friend would have made about four or five of Josh, though.
ReplyDeleteBrandi, there is an article on the BBC online, dated August 2nd, Taking the Sting Out of Spider Venom. I am sending a copy to your e-mail.
ReplyDeleteYou can find it now by going either to Health or Sci/Environment on their Home Page.
ReplyDeleteGAH! How very scary!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had words of wisdom or comfort .. all I got is ((HUGS!)) for you, Josh and Mr Bubbles. And a Sears catalogue for certain spiders!