When it's More Than a Cold

Hey friends.

I've been meaning to write for a couple of days, but haven't had the words. On Monday night we went over to have dinner with our friends and Jack's breathing turning to wheezing within the afternoon/evening. After an evening of my overactive imagination running through worst-case scenarios through my mind (involving CPR and an ambulance) I brought him to see the doctor Tuesday morning. He diagnosed Jack with RSV (Resperatory Syncytial Virus), tested his oxygen levels, did a nebulization treatment in the office, gave him steroids, and sent us home with our own nebulizer. He advised me not to hesitate to call or to bring Jack into the ER if I was concerned because he was on the edge of hospitalization.

I was completely overwhelmed. I had spent Monday night trying not to over-react because I know a lot of new moms over-react and then I find out on Tuesday that Jack is on the edge of going to the hospital. I suspect that if his oxygen levels had not improved in the clinic they may have hospitalized him that day.

I wanted to blame someone. Like my dad (a general practice physician) who advised me to wait until Tuesday to take Jack in. Or my in-laws who visited last week and wore Jack out. That desire soon passed (and I don't blame any of them) and I just felt scared that Jack would not get better.

But he did. Almost immediately. After the appointment, Jack took a good nap and woke up smiling and talking!! He hadn't done that for two days. We "nebulized" him again that evening and he actually seemed to enjoy it! (See pic - and no, that is not a bong)

So things were getting better. Then this morning Tim took Jack in for a follow up appointment and we found out he has an ear infection. I had no clue! He wasn't pulling his ears or anything. The poor kid is so sick of us feeding him nasty medicines, misting medication in his face, and sucking boogers out of his nose. I bet he decided not to complain about the ears so we wouldn't irritate him more. :)

I'm not sure what I'm feeling anymore. I just feel so bad for him and I'm praying he feels better soon. It is so hard to see and hear him working hard to breath. Thankfully his coughing is getting better - he no longer looks like his eyes will pop our or sounds like he'll loose a lung. And the wheezing is slowly going away.

I can't imagine what it must be like to have a baby with a chronic illness. The concern and stress must be exhausting. I'm worn out from this!