This. Was. Not. A. Fun. Week. We were off to our new schedule and enjoying "happy Chase" when the little nugget started getting sick on Wednesday. He has just a little congestion and cough, which we had battled before. Thursday night he was definitely sick with a temp and major congestion. The doctor on call said to watch him overnight and take him to the ER if his temp rose. After a dose of baby Tylenol, he slept in his swing in our room- which helped some. Around 5:15 Chase was crying and wanting to eat. But he wouldn’t eat, we cleared his nose and he was still fussy. Rather quickly he became very lethargic, limp, and struggled to breathe. OH. MY. GOD. We flew out of the house and rushed to the ER. They quickly went to work and after a few more scary episodes (I will spare the details so I can spare the tears), he started responding to a nebulizer (a.k.a "the smoking dragon").
After a quick snot test, the doctor confirmed RSV. I had heard of this virus associated with kids, but didn’t know much more about it. It is a pretty typical virus that is extremely prevalent during winter. Because of Chase’s age, size, and days into the virus, the doctor decided to admit our little nugget. Really?
They changed him into the tiniestcabbage patch doll clothing hospital gown, and inserted a tiny IV (nugget was so brave. Mommy, not so much). It was also heartbreaking to all of a sudden be a patient in the hospital. The doctor estimated a stay of 2-4 days at best. The doctors and nurses were A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. I honestly can't say enough good things about Inova Loudoun hospital. They were warm, loving, professional, and accommodating. They don’t just treat the patient, but they treat the whole family. I think I needed more hand holding than Chase did at times. As we settled in, Grantudy and Gramps jumped in the car to come down from Philly and nurse their Peanut Burger back to health.
They changed him into the tiniest
Gramps and Grantudy came to the rescue!
Chase was a strong little nugget and didn’t need to go on oxygen the first night (so proud!). He did so well that we were told we might go home earlier than expected. Not only was he busy fighting the nasty RSV, but he learned some new tricks. Look, I can feed myself all on my own!
By Saturday night the doctors felt confident (more so than mommy) in sending Chase home. Armed with tons of instructions, a nebulizer, and some antibiotics, we sprung our nugget from his little prison cell.
We loved Chase's baby lo-jack system. This time we were hoping not to set it off like we did when he was born.
Just as we were unpacking, settling back at home, and breathing a little easier (pun intended), we noticed Roxie was moving a little slow. By Monday morning (36 hours after bringing Nugget home), Roxie was not eating or drinking and barely walking. This. Was. Not. Normal. Our crazy-energetic-food-loving Boston Terrier couldn’t get off the couch. One look at her and we knew she was very sick. Kevin took her to the vet (while I carted Chase off to his follow-up doctor’s apt) and returned with some meds and a diagnosis of an upper respiratory infection. Fast forward to Monday night and Roxie still hasn’t eaten, drank or walked. I call the vet before closing and they said to bring her back in the morning if she hasn’t eaten or drank. We tried everything to get her to eat, nothing. I am worried. Kevin checks on Rox while I feed Chase throughout the night.
Tuesday morning, things haven’t changed so the whole family carts Roxie off to the vet. We see the worry on their faces as they tell us we have a very sick pup. They take her back to start an IV before we are done talking to the doctor. We are given an estimate and told they would call in an hour after they do some x-rays and blood work. Back home Kevin and I are trying to work from home and take care of Chase when we get a call. The doctor quietly says, “I have grim news.” My knees buckle as I put her on speakerphone. “Roxie has a blockage in her stomach and her white blood cell count is so incredible low, she is not a surgical candidate.” We are told to come pick her up immediately and take her to the animal hospital while our vet calls ahead. We call our family and cry on the way to get her. We race to the ER and admit her to the hospital. After an excruciatingly long wait, we meet with the doctor. Their tests show it might be more than a blockage and actually they are less concerned about the blockage and more concerned with why her white blood cell count is almost zero. This doctor is very concerned about her prognosis but she says they are working hard to get her stable. We are sent home with a huge financial estimate of 3-4 days in the hospital- if she recovers.
Throughout the following days we discover that there isn't a stomach blockage (just kibble that hasn’t moved since her body was starting to shut down), and actually they think it was a toxin exposure. WHAT? We brainstorm with the entire family as to what could have caused it, but just can’t figure it out. Luckily, Roxie starts responding to the treatments and as her white blood cell count comes up, so does her personality, appetite, and overall health. By Thursday we are told she is licking everyone at the hospital (that's our girl!) we can bring her home that night!!! Oh happy day!
One week of 2 ERs, 2 hospital stays, 7 doctor’s appointments, 6 medications, and countless tears… we are counting every blessing. We are so happy to have our family back together and on the mend.
Dear 2011, we are done with doctors and hospitals, ok? Love The Mommy.
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