Derek's Journey at Children's
Donation protected
On August 6th. Is where Derek's Journey begins....
Derek went in to the clinic for the fourth time in one week for constipation and stool blockage.
On the fourth time he was sent straight to the ER and after some blood tests they took us to the Children's hospital in Minneapolis. It was there that we finally learned that Derek had a burst appendix causing inflammation in his abdominal region. The inflammation had put pressure on Derek's lungs making it hard for him to breath. Fluids were collecting in his lungs. Somewhere during all of this Derek's kidneys decided to shut down, he had kidney failure.
That night we watched as they put our son into an induced sleep and put him onto life support.
Breathing tube, NG, dialysis, lung drainage tubes and 12 types of fluid meds.
August 24th.
Derek has been in the hospital now for 18 days and counting.
Derek is off of the dialysis and the breathing tube is out! His kidneys continue to improve. He still has an inflamed stomach that we are just starting to deal with how to fix. We still have a long road to home. Eliza and I have started to take turns staying with Derek while the other goes to work.
Those of you who know me know that I am not the person to ask others for help. Some dear friends of mine suggested this site for support. I would be greatly appreciative of any support that I could get even if in the form of prayer for my son during his journey, our journey, at Children's hospital.
You can see my journals on caring bridge / Derek Alsaker
August 26th.
As of two days ago when I wrote the above, I wasn't sure if I could go public with this.
A lot can change in just one day.
I am so sad to say that my son Derek has passed away.
He had an MRI on Tuesday morning.
They put him back on a breathing tube, a catheter and induced sleep as the first MRI was unsuccessful due to his comfort level with his stomach.
This MRI showed that he did not have a ruptured appendix but rather a tumor growing in his abdominal region. At this point they decided to do surgery to do a biopsy. The surgery proved to be to much on Derek's heart. They worked on him for nearly an hour but my little D man didn't make it back to us.
The biopsy tests showed that Derek had Burkitt's Lymphoma that most likely was in his stomach for only 4 weeks.
If I can suggest anything to the parents out there, I say this.
If you have to take your child or anyone to the clinic for something seemingly simple please request that a blood test is done to check the white blood count. This may have saved my son.
I pray that he is pain free in heaven drinking apple juice and smiling down upon us. I've told him that it's his turn to watch over us and keep us safe.
The whole time that we stayed in the hospital, we were generously given a room at the Ronald McDonald house and with the help of volunteers we never had to worry about supper. Thanks to all who helped to make that happen!
I vow to give back any unneeded portion from the help that I receive to the Ronald McDonald house as i have learned what a small meal and a place to stay near your child can mean to a family in need.
Thanks everyone for even taking the time to read my story. Iam forever grateful to you all.
Derek's Dad
Derek went in to the clinic for the fourth time in one week for constipation and stool blockage.
On the fourth time he was sent straight to the ER and after some blood tests they took us to the Children's hospital in Minneapolis. It was there that we finally learned that Derek had a burst appendix causing inflammation in his abdominal region. The inflammation had put pressure on Derek's lungs making it hard for him to breath. Fluids were collecting in his lungs. Somewhere during all of this Derek's kidneys decided to shut down, he had kidney failure.
That night we watched as they put our son into an induced sleep and put him onto life support.
Breathing tube, NG, dialysis, lung drainage tubes and 12 types of fluid meds.
August 24th.
Derek has been in the hospital now for 18 days and counting.
Derek is off of the dialysis and the breathing tube is out! His kidneys continue to improve. He still has an inflamed stomach that we are just starting to deal with how to fix. We still have a long road to home. Eliza and I have started to take turns staying with Derek while the other goes to work.
Those of you who know me know that I am not the person to ask others for help. Some dear friends of mine suggested this site for support. I would be greatly appreciative of any support that I could get even if in the form of prayer for my son during his journey, our journey, at Children's hospital.
You can see my journals on caring bridge / Derek Alsaker
August 26th.
As of two days ago when I wrote the above, I wasn't sure if I could go public with this.
A lot can change in just one day.
I am so sad to say that my son Derek has passed away.
He had an MRI on Tuesday morning.
They put him back on a breathing tube, a catheter and induced sleep as the first MRI was unsuccessful due to his comfort level with his stomach.
This MRI showed that he did not have a ruptured appendix but rather a tumor growing in his abdominal region. At this point they decided to do surgery to do a biopsy. The surgery proved to be to much on Derek's heart. They worked on him for nearly an hour but my little D man didn't make it back to us.
The biopsy tests showed that Derek had Burkitt's Lymphoma that most likely was in his stomach for only 4 weeks.
If I can suggest anything to the parents out there, I say this.
If you have to take your child or anyone to the clinic for something seemingly simple please request that a blood test is done to check the white blood count. This may have saved my son.
I pray that he is pain free in heaven drinking apple juice and smiling down upon us. I've told him that it's his turn to watch over us and keep us safe.
The whole time that we stayed in the hospital, we were generously given a room at the Ronald McDonald house and with the help of volunteers we never had to worry about supper. Thanks to all who helped to make that happen!
I vow to give back any unneeded portion from the help that I receive to the Ronald McDonald house as i have learned what a small meal and a place to stay near your child can mean to a family in need.
Thanks everyone for even taking the time to read my story. Iam forever grateful to you all.
Derek's Dad
Organizer
Jason Alsaker
Organizer
Shakopee, MN
