I want to share a story of finding joy in difficult times considering our recent journey with the newest member of our family. Our second son, Charles Lee Bunn ("Lee"), decided to make his grand entrance on October 1st – talk about a Halloween baby! Thankfully, the labor and delivery went smoothly, and we were overjoyed to welcome him into the world.
However, just two weeks later, our little family was hit with a health scare. It started with a cough that spread through the house, eventually reaching Lee. We know kids get sick, but when I checked his temperature at 3 a.m. and saw it was 102 degrees, panic set in. For an infant, anything over 100.4 is considered a fever, and this was way beyond that. We immediately rushed everyone to the nearest hospital. My oldest son was a trooper, getting up and coming with us without a fuss. Brittany, understandably, was incredibly worried, and so was I. But in moments like these, I knew I had to put on a brave face and be the rock for my family as I hope all fathers would do for their families.
Thankfully, the closest hospital admitted us quickly, which was crucial for a 15-day-old baby. Lee's fever remained high, and he was struggling to breathe due to congestion. The nurses suctioned his nasal passages, which he hated, but it helped his breathing somewhat. It was clear he was still having trouble, and with the fever, he'd likely need to be admitted.
The problem was, this hospital wasn't equipped to care for such a young infant. We needed to be transferred to the brand new Children's Hospital of America in Atlanta (CHOA). I continue to thank God that this new facility was open and ready to take Lee. Before the ambulance arrived, the hospital tried to get IV access for him, but after three attempts, they decided it was best left to the experts at CHOA. His veins were just too tiny. As a former Army medic, I've placed plenty of IVs, and I certainly didn't envy those nurses!
It was already 6 a.m. by the time the ambulance arrived to take Brittany and Lee to Children's Hospital of America (CHOA). I headed back home to check on the animals and grab some essentials for our stay. If you've ever spent time in a hospital, you know the sleeping arrangements aren't exactly luxurious. Comfort is clearly not a top priority for hospital interior designers! So, I packed pillows, blankets, and extra towels (essential for a bigger guy like me). I arrived at CHOA shortly after the ambulance, and even from the outside, the new hospital was impressive. Free parking for the ER and visitors was a welcome surprise! After a quick check-in, I joined my wife and son in the exam room.
The constant stream of nurses and doctors was a bit overwhelming, but the room itself was well-equipped, even with a TV. It lacked windows, but it was essentially an advanced exam room with specialized tools for children of all ages. Despite their expertise in pediatrics, the medical team struggled to get IV access and draw blood from Lee. As I mentioned, he was incredibly tiny at just 15 days old. I still don't envy them that task!
After a few hours, multiple vital checks, and several attempts, they finally secured IV access, drew blood, and started fluids. We were informed that Lee would be admitted for a few days to rule out serious conditions like meningitis, which was a terrifying thought. (Spoiler alert: it wasn't meningitis, thankfully!)
Eventually, we were moved to a room on the 14th floor with an amazing view of the Atlanta skyline. The room itself was huge, featuring a private bathroom, a digital whiteboard for notes and vitals, a recliner, a fold-out couch, and two TVs. I even found an HDMI cable and a "Game Console" setting on the TVs, perfect for hooking up gaming systems. The whole setup was impressive, but still not the most comfortable.
CHOA truly went above and beyond to cater to children. The "super prison crib" seemed excessive for our tiny baby, but it made sense considering the range of ages they treat. Beyond the room, the hospital had incredible facilities:
While Lee was too young to take advantage of these amenities, they were impressive nonetheless.
Behind a somewhat creepy digital wall depicting fantastical creatures, we found the dining hall. Initially disappointed by the lack of "unhealthy" options like candy and chips, I quickly changed my tune when I discovered the food kiosks. With multiple stations offering diverse menus for every meal, the food was surprisingly delicious and healthy. They even had freshly made sushi, fruit, sandwiches, and various drinks. And the best part? It was all reasonably priced! The only thing I missed out on was the "parent rooms" on the 2nd floor, rumored to have more comfortable beds. Unfortunately, Brittany couldn't even get on the waiting list.
Our hospital journey started Tuesday morning at 3 a.m., and Lee wasn't discharged until Friday afternoon. He left much healthier than he arrived, despite a lingering cough. It turned out to be a viral illness passed on from Brittany and our older son. Unfortunately, he also developed a UTI, likely due to a catheter insertion attempt in the ER. There was also a false positive for a bloodborne bacterial infection, which thankfully turned out negative on the second test.
Despite the challenges, the medical team at CHOA provided excellent care. They hydrated Lee, started him on antibiotics, cleared his nasal passages, and helped him feel like himself again. After many sleepless nights (and me starting a new job with the Georgia Department of Driver Services mid-week!), we finally went home and enjoyed a weekend of much-needed rest.
I'm incredibly grateful to the doctors and nurses at CHOA. Lee received care at one of the best children's hospitals in the world, and it was practically brand new! Everyone is doing well now, and I'm so relieved that this scary experience had a happy ending.
