This year has been hell.
I am so tired of Doctors and stuffy noses and vomiting.
At the end of November both the girls got a cold. I took Katelyn to the ER in Riverton for wheezing and vomiting. After getting a chest x-ray and it came back clear and they sent us home saying it was just a cold and told us to see her pediatrician. I took Mini to see Dr Schmidt the next day and he gave us a Rx for albuterol and to watch her for fever and try our best to keep her hydrated. As the week went on Katie's breathing got worse and her fever reached as high as 102.5. When she stopped keeping any formula down and it became more apparent that her breathing was hard I took her back in to see Dr Schmidt. I left Emma at my mom's house and went alone to the Dr office thinking it would be no big deal. When we got to the office they hooked Mini up to a monitor to check her oxygen and I knew it was low. They sent us to x-ray and when we got back they put her on oxygen. Katie had been grunting and moaning for a few days. I thought she just didn't feel good. When Dr Schmidt came in to show us her chest x-ray I knew by the look on his face it wasn't good. He diagnosed Katelyn with pneumonia and advised us to head to Primary Children''s Hospital. I was okay with going until he paused and said that she needed to go by ambulance. I lost it. It was like the weekend I delivered her all over again. No one goes to the doctor expecting to be admitted or taking an ambulance ride so you can keep your child breathing. I called Hubby and told him to meet us at the hospital and I called both my parents and his. Everyone in the clinic was staring at us as the paramedics strapped Mini into her carseat and onto the stretcher. It was a calm ride and the paramedics were so nice to us. It didn't take long to get to the hospital and we had a team waiting for us.
Mini's first Ambulance ride
The emergency department was so good to us. We were there about 3 hours before they admitted Katie to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Because of her low oxygen and respiratory distress they had to put her on high flow oxygen which requires extra nursing and a respiratory team. She had an IV put in her foot and she had to get a feeding tube placed in her nose. I spent a few nights on a little pull out and cradled my baby when I could. Katie was put on an antibiotic until her tests came back to make sure she did not have RSV. They suctioned her every 2 hours and she slept a lot. After a few days I asked the nurse to give Mini some albuterol and see if it helped her lungs open up and get the gunk out. It's a good thing I listened when she was in the NICU. I am her voice and when they began her albuterol it helped a lot.
Sleepy sick baby
After a week in the PICU She was transferred to the same unit we stayed in after her surgery. We had the same nurse as we did post-surgery too which was kinda funny. Katie began to improve and required less oxygen support and I stayed with her a few nights. Finally after 10 days in the hospital I got to bring baby girl home. She was released with oxygen support at home and follow up with her Dr. We have battled vomiting from both girls this week and with the yucky air outside I have been very aware of Katie's breathing. The icing on the cake is that Colt was diagnosed with contagious bronchitis the day Mini was discharged so he has been walking around the house in a mask and there is a huge bottle of hand sanitizer on the table.
Ready to go home!
I am ready to break down. I am so tired physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am so grateful for my Emma. Every night before bed she reminds me we need to say our prayers. She thanks Heavenly Father for everything from her stuffed animals to Disneyland even though she has yet to go there. The other night I was overly tired and emotional and when we said prayers I asked her to ask for us to be strong. I started crying. Of all the things I need right now strength is at the top of my list. I am so thankful that the year is coming to a close. I need a new beginning. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and thought of us this year. I have needed you more than you will ever know.
2 comments:
wish there was some way to ease your burdens. You are strong, even when you are not. :) Love to you! Jen
Everyone has their crosses to bear, but you my dear, have endured a house atop you this past year. Sheesh. I am amazed you even have the courage to get out of bed in the morning. That's more strength than I could muster up. I'm praying 2012 proves to be a much easier year for you.
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