Justin and Lizzie's Journal: 12/28/25

Urgent Care Stop #1 - "The kids and Justin say I look way better now"

Justin's Journal 12/28/25

Front passed. She wasn't better. Lots of snow at the cabin so kids and I played outside. We went into town for breakfast and dropped Lizzie at urgent care thinking altitude sickness. Kids and I had breakfast then picked her up after IV and Zofran. Nurse said "wow, you're dehydrated!" She wanted to go to RMNP with us, so we went partway to Bear Lake Road. She laid flat while kids and I played. We also did sledding at YMCA while she stayed in car (sled, lunch at Estes, RMNP). Mild shaking started. Put her in bed and shaking got worse. Expected it to pass as Zofran wore off. Put kids in bed. We all slept.

Lizzie's Reflections of 12/28/25

Watching the snow play from the car

I hated being sick. I was so mad and also felt really guilty. How could I ruin our first family vacation? I was so hopeful the IV at urgent care would whip my POTS symptoms into shape and we could salvage the vacation. I was willing to push however hard I needed to in order for the kids to have as much fun as possible. I was sad they went to The Taffy Shop without me. It's a tradition for me and Justin to go enjoy a sample and buy a small bag of the taffy every time we're in Estes Park. Then I remember trembling...full body deep trembling and not being able to stop. Justin put me in bed. I remember struggling to even get in on my own, and the trembling turned into full body convulsing. It almost felt like a seizure, but my brain was okay-ish. I was miserable and just wanted to go home. It was finally dark outside and we all went to bed. I don't think I've eaten in two days.

I texted my friend Lori " 2 days in and holding absolutely no food down and being in miserable pain, I remembered that I had my relief band with me that I bought for the cruise. 5 minutes with it on and im holding down water. I'm sure it didn't help i wasn't feeling well before I came but I've never had this (Acute Mountain Sickness) before. I feel so badly Justin's having to do everything. I literally didn't leave bed for 24 hours other than to throw up. I got 1 liter of fluids and iv anti-nausea meds so I can hold down water. Lots of food and water. Rest. Stay below 8000 ft (our cabin is 8010 ft). So far I've been able to drink a few ounces of smoothie and a few bites of dry sourdough." Several hours later Lori asked how I was doing and I said "Miserable. 102 fever now. I suddenly have totally different symptoms. So either I finally got Jailyn's virus or something from everyone else at Christmas who was coughing up a lung. I haven't had this high of a fever in a long time. Can't stop shivering."

Jailyn prayed SO HARD for snow. God answered. 

Justin and Jailyn in the snow outside our cabin

 Co-Pilot's Summary of Medical for 12/28/25:

Here’s a clear, concise summary of your After Visit Summary based entirely on the document you shared.

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Summary of Your Visit (12/28/2025 – Estes Park Health Urgent Care)

Reason for Visit

You were evaluated for:

• Altitude illness (acute mountain sickness)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mild dehydration

Your vital signs showed:

• Pulse: 105
• Oxygen saturation: 97%
• Blood pressure: 127/88

You received:

• Peripheral IV
• Normal saline
• Ondansetron (Zofran) at 10:29 AM

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Plan & Instructions

You were advised to:

• Take Zofran 4 mg every 8 hours as needed for nausea
• Drink small amounts of fluid frequently
• Return to urgent care or the ER if symptoms worsen while in Estes Park

You were also given educational material on Acute Mountain Sickness, including:

• Rest until symptoms resolve
• Avoid alcohol and sedatives
• Use OTC pain relievers for headache
• Descend to lower altitude if symptoms persist 24–48 hours

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Medications

Your medication list was updated. Key changes:

New / Started

• Ondansetron ODT 4 mg – every 8 hours as needed for altitude‑related nausea