I was seeing so much about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) on the news that I got to the point where I thought it was all hype. Then there was a Facebook update from a friend of my wife and mine in college on September 27:
Worried. my boy has H1N1. doing a little better today after a very rough night. if your kiddos are complaining of a sore throat, stock up on med asap.
Soon after, her son AJ was in the PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) at The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, CO, and quickly got worse.
Since then, it’s been a heartbreaking roller coaster of Facebook updates of surgery, ventilators, distressed organs, brain MRI, etc. Yesterday, Neurologists determined that AJ had 2 strokes within the last several days.
Then today was a great update to see:
Sitting with AJ now. No breathing tube, no catheter. And he just said first 2 words post-vent: “I’m wet” in a very scratchy but beautiful voice.
This little guy has been fighting hard, but he’s not out of the woods. That’s where you come in. Please send any well wishes to AJ at the address below – get well cards from kids would be greatly appreciated.
The Children’s Hospital
Attn: Alexander Masse
PICU Room #22
13123 East 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
If you’re on Twitter, please RT the following: Help a 5 Year Old Fight H1N1 Flu PLZ RT http://bit.ly/3GPY1v #fightAJ