Jayden has had a cold on and off for the past several weeks. Last Sunday, he started coughing. He never had a fever or anything, but we knew he had a cold and cough... Jared called the doctor on Wednesday, but the nurse said not to come in and to just keep doing what we were doing- humidifier, rest, etc. Thursday night was AWFUL. Jayden was up throughout the night coughing so much...like a choking cough that was very scary to listen to. I was up worried about him all throughout that night.
I decided to take a half day on Friday (last day before winter break) so I could take Jayden to the doctor. His regular pediatrician was not there, but we saw another doctor who I really liked, too. By this point, Jayden was wheezing. You could hear the wheezing and he was miserable with this cold/ cough. The doctor did a RSV test, which was negative, and a nebulizer breathing treatment. Jayden was still wheezing after the breathing treatment, so we had to do another one. After the wheezing still did not go away or improve after two treatments, the doctor told me we needed to go to the hospital. oh. my. gosh. This was so scary to hear. On top of all of this going on, we were expecting a big snowstorm. I called my mom and she drove up to stay at our apartment to take care of Fred for us.
At this point everything seemed to go wrong... my car had NO GAS, traffic was HORRIBLE, snow was coming, I left Jayden's bottles at daycare by accident... We finally made it to the hospital (me and Jayden-- Jared was at work. he left as soon as I called him, but he had to go home to get things for the hospital) I knew how to get to the hospital, but I did not know where the emergency room was. I know I could have driven around and found it, but I did not have ANY gas. AND it took me over an hour in the traffic when it should have taken 10 minutes. So I just parked at the main entrance and walked up to the information desk. I was carrying Jayden in his carrier, my purse, diaper bag, bottle bag, winter coat, and paperwork from the pediatrician. The lady at the information desk felt sorry for me because I am sure I looked like a pitiful lady off th street! haha
She had the security van pick me up and drive me and Jayden to the ER side of the hospital... so we shoved everything into the van! We made it to the ER and this is where all the fun began......... Jayden had to get chest x-rays, blood drawn from his arm, finger pricked, and heel pricked (all of which were normal) Then he had to get an IV. To sum everything up... he had bronchiolitis. See explanation below.
He was in the hospital Friday through Sunday receiving breathing treatments and having his blood oxygen level monitored very closely.
If you are wondering what bronchiolitis is.........................
(from the internet)
"Bronchiolitis is a lower respiratory tract infection that occurs in children less than two years of age. It is normally caused by a virus and uncommonly by a bacterium. The virus causes inflammation of the small airways (bronchioles). The inflammation leads to partial or complete blockage of the airways, which causes wheezing (a whistling sound heard during exhalation). When the airways are partially or completely blocked, less oxygen is able enters the lungs, potentially causing a decrease in the blood level of oxygen.
Bronchiolitis is a common cause of illness and is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants and young children. Treatment includes measures to ensure that the child consumes adequate fluids and is able to breathe without significant difficulty. Most children begin to improve within one to two weeks after the first symptoms develop. However, bronchiolitis can cause serious illness in some children; it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms that require evaluation and treatment.
Bronchiolitis is typically caused by a viral infection. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause.
Virtually everyone will have been infected with RSV by the age of three years. It is common to be infected more than once, even in the same RSV season; however, subsequent infections are usually milder."
Jayden is now doing breathing treatments at home every 4 hours. He goes back to the doctor tomorrow to be rechecked. Today he has been doing soooo much better!!!!
*Here are some pictures of Jayden at the hospital. Poor baby :(
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