ReCap

On Saturday 7/30/2011, in the evening, Willem complained that his arms and legs were achy.  By 7/31 he was running a fever of 103 plus.  He was taken to his doctor on Wednesday, August 3, and by the time he got home he was throwing up and having diarrhea -- usually simultaneously.  This was his routine every day and all day.

I left work on Sunday, August 7, to take him to Metro Hospital ER.  At the ER it was found that he was seriously dehydrated -- his potassium levels and electrolytes were alarmingly low and he was given an IV and admitted to the hospital.  His condition worsened at Metro and the resident pediatrician  found himself at a complete loss.

On Tuesday, by pure chance, the doctor saw that Willem's tonsils were huge and white and was elated thinking that he had found the solution and immediately put Willem on antibiotics.  By Wednesday, August 10, Willem's condition worsened and was unresponsive to the antibiotics.  The doctor appeared worried and purplexed and recommended he be transferred to Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.

Upon arrival to HDCH an immediate difference in care could be observed.  There were three doctors in Willems room before Willem even got there and they were all versed in his condition.  Some of the findings by the Metro doctor were immediately ruled out and his care was upgraded and changed all for the better.