The Quote-

"Parenthood is why some animals eat their young"



-by Someone Really Smart

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Hospital Stay

It's been quite a week. Well, I suppose it actually started two weeks ago. Superbowl Sunday to be exact. Erik woke up with a fever and was really cranky. After two dayswith a fever and lots of crying, for the first time as a mother I had to deal with an ear infection (I was happy to have avoided it for so long). So after a week of staying indoors and listening to Erik cry a whole lot, he started to get a little better.

And then Melanie got a fever.

It wasn't as high as Erik's, but I knew that it was her turn with the crummies. So she was cranky and didn't really want to eat too much all Monday and Tuesday. I wasn't really too concerned since Erik had just had it. On Wednesday morning at about 2 a.m Melanie woke up crying hysterically. She wouldn't nurse, didn't want her pacifier, and after an hour of her screaming in pain Kent woke up thinking that she might have an ear infection like Erik. But his ear-light-scope-thingy wasn't charged, so he couldn't check. She was also breathing hard since she was all stuffy, so he decided to go ahead and take her to the E.R. And she was admitted that morning. Her oxygen levels were low, she was absolutely miserable, and she wasn't keeping anything down.
And this is where we stayed for 2 1/2 days.

The poor little thing. It took them about 45 minutes to get her IV in. With all that fat it was hard for them to find a good vein, and the one that they did find was in the bend of her arm (or, as Kent would say, the "antecubital fossa") so they had to board her arm to keep it straight. She had bruises and pokes all over her arm from them looking for a good one.


On Thursday they found out that one of the cultures they took was positive for RSV. So she ended up with RSV and viral pneumonia. So we just waited it out until she didn't need oxygen, stopped wheezing, and kept her food down.

The boys colored pictures for her and put them up around her bed. These two are Erik's.

And this one is Taylor's. It's a picture of the hospital. See all 5 of us? For some reason it won't rotate.

Meanwhile, Kent was able to have his schedule cleared so that he could stay home with the boys (thank goodness). So he was busy holding down the fort. Apparently this is what happens when you let two boys watch Peter Pan and then let them jump off the couch next to the blind cords-

Nice rope burn, eh?

We're home now, and aside from a nasty cough and the slight sniffles, she's doing much better.


Although I was not happy in the slightest that she was in the hospital, I have to admit it was lovely to have an excuse to hold my baby all day long. It was so wonderfully quiet, I got so much reading done, and I didn't have to worry about dinner. Oh. And I got a break from my two rambunctious boys. Does that make me a bad mom? I figure I'm still a half-way decent mom since I did start to miss them.

14 comments:

Sarah said...

Of course you're still a good mom. I'm glad she's feeling better.

Someone needs to invent a new otoscope. Gav's is forever out of charge. He claims it's broken and doesn't even take a charge anymore. What good is it to have a doctor husband if he can't even check his own kids' ears?

ChristinaB said...

I am so glad your little lady is doing better now! Its so scary when they get sick like that!
And hey my hubby's a mechanic so unless one of my kids axles gets broke he's no help there!! LoL

Allison and Mason: said...

Wow... Scary. I hate to say it but that picture of her in the hospital bed is darling. Poor baby. I'm glad everything is ok now.

Kimberly said...

What a cutie, even sick! Sad as it is to say, it was probably nice to have some time with just Melanie, eh?

Jess, Andrew and Family said...

Ohh Steph!I'm SOOOOO sorry- that sounds terrible! I'm glad that she is doing better and that you were able to get some reading done and enjoy some peace- you deserve it!

Amanda said...

Glad to hear Melanie is feeling better! RSV stinks, Chase had it at 5 weeks and it was no fun for him. I'm glad you found a positive side to being in the hospital :)

Amanda said...

Wow, that picture of her in the hospital bed makes me want to cry! I'm glad she's feeling better and I'm glad Kent was able to watch the boys.

Millers! said...

Oh.. poor baby girl! Glad she is feeling better. I love love love that last picture of her, others are too sad... hopefully you got a bit of rest. your an awesome mom, I am sending my kids to family and taking a three day to myself.. atleast you had a good excuse!

Jennifer said...

Oh wow Stephanie...I'm so glad she's doing better! What a week! If I'd leave Michael with Marion for any extended period of time, I'm sure he'd have rope burn or some huge bruise too. :)

Jennifer said...

I am so glad she is better and you are out of the hospital. How scary! She is beautifully chubby. Good thing she had her own year supply going since she didn't eat for 3 days!

kathryn said...

Poor Melanie! I'm glad she is ok. And nice rope burns...classic:)

Rosalyn Francis said...

Soo sad and scary! I am glad she is better and that you got some great mommie time! =)

This is the 3rd young baby to get this that I know! I didn't realize how common it is.

acrspeech said...

Oh I can relate Steph! Lily had a 3 day hospital stay too....and 4 tries for the IV. Horrible! I am so glad you found something positive out of the experience :) Hope all is well!

emmot family times said...

wow! i am way behind on news... :( i totally know what it feels like to have your baby in the Peds Ward... it is scary and heartwrenching... i am so glad she is doing better.... call if you ever need anything....