Sunday was his 6th day of fever. The rule of thumb is you take a child in after his 5th day of fever, but I suspected medical care on a Sunday was never top notch so I decided to give it one more day. After all, we had see the physician virtually on Friday and he didn't seem too concerned. But watching my boy sleeping in bed that night, I noticed that his respiratory rate was elevated -- he didn't normally breathe that fast. And the Covid test from Friday had come back negative. At the virtual doctor's visit on Friday, we shared about some aches below his right shoulder blade (presumably from too much or incorrectly pitching), the persistently high temps, and some intermittent tummy troubles over the past few days, I couldn't help wondering if it all fit together. I was worried, real worried. I decided that first thing the next morning I would take him to Urgent Care, despite the incremental risk of Covid exposure.
When we arrived at Urgent Care, the wait was long -- so many procedures to follow in Covid times. So around noon they took a chest and abdomen X-ray. Then they drew some blood (my poor little guy nearly passed on when they stuck the needle in him -- he seems to have the same joys of vasovagal syncope that his mum has enjoyed over the years). The imaging report mentioned "right pleural effusion" and "abnormally prominent soft tissue density throughout the upper abdomen, on both sides, concerning for hepatosplenomegaly vs. less likely mass and/or possible ascites." That was the first time I read that terrible m-word. But at least it was followed by "less likely".... The Urgent Care pediatrician didn't say much after she saw the imaging except that she recommended we head down to Lucille Packard Children's House (LCPH) Pediatric ER. They were expecting us. So off we went.
After Covid testing we settled in the Pediatric ER and Ronan got started on IV fluids and low-flow oxygen to help his breathing. He was a champ with the IV placement, despite the trauma of the last blood draw: "Lots of numbing cream, please" he politely requested. Later on a physician came in with an ultrasound to look at his abdomen. When she observed a mass on his liver and in his chest, she recommended a CT scan. With his breathing challenges (pleural effusion in his right lung), they were concerned he couldn't breathe well enough to lay down for the ~15-20 mins an ultrasound requires. So in a little while, we headed over to radiology. He followed the directions like a champ for the CT scan. While waiting outside afterwards, I heard the Fellow commenting to the radiologists about the "multiple masses"he has. Never what you want to hear as a mum....
A while later, the Fellow came by to update me on the CT scan results. The multiple masses were confirmed to be tumors, and likely cancer. We were being transferred to the Pediatric ICU for treatment. Your heart stops as a parent when you hear these words. This is parent's nightmare. I choked back the tears. I knew I needed to be strong for Ronan when I stepped back into the room. He would need my strength for the difficult journey ahead that was only just beginning.
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