One Step at a Time: Case of the sickies!

It was bound to happen, I knew we couldn't escape all the winter germs that were going around. But I didn't expect it to hit us as hard as it did.

The day before John's birthday Hannah started coughing and the snotty nose began. We had just returned from our travels to PA a few days prior so I'm sure the combination of the airport, airplane, and germs from cousins and family back home started to make their way through. On Saturday, Hannah sounded horrible. She woke herself up from her nap coughing, she actually threw up on her precious MooMoo. But don't worry, we had a back-up! It was about time to get rid of the original MooMoo, so this was the perfect time to do so. Since he was covered with the majority of the puke, it was easy to tell Hannah he couldn't come clean and I couldn't get the germs off. Out with the old and in with the replacement!

Hannah's cough continued to get worse. Between children's Motrin and Tylenol to help with her aches and pains from coughing, blowing her nose, and fevers, it was time to head to the Dr's. Around Tuesday is when I noticed Noah starting to sound congested. It was also around this time that I was starting to feel the cold sneaking up on me. I took both kids to the Dr on Wed together. Hannah had an Upper Respiratory Infection and no meds would help a viral infection. Noah looked okay at this point, and both kids' ears were clear of any infection.

Thursday night Noah started sounded worse. His breathing was more labored and his little cough sounded terrible. I was so tempted to take him to the ER because I just wasn't sure. Was the Nurse in me over-analyzing my child, was the Mom in me over-reacting? I was so worried about Noah having RSV and there be nothing to give him except a hospital visit if it was bad enough. After talking with a friend whose little guy had RSV when he was 6 weeks old, I decided to see how the night went and call the Dr in the morning.

Friday morning was terrible. Noah's breathing was labored, he was nasal flaring, coughing way too much, not nursing very great, and the temps started creeping up. I called the Dr and they had me bring him in at that moment. He definitely had RSV and a double ear infection. Our pedi decided to give him a breathing treatment in the office to see if that helped. It really didn't help that much (just led to a screaming child who did not like the mask on his face!) but the Dr decided to keep us out of the hospital. Between round the clock breathing treatments at home, daily phone calls to update the pedi on Noah's status, we were able to stay home and out of the hospital.

While all this was going on, I was due to start back to work in 3 days...insert PANIC!! Thankfully I work with some pretty amazing women, and I was able to trade my nights to work later in the week. I am blessed to have some awesome co-workers!

After 4 days of home nebulizers, Noah started to sound better, he wasn't coughing as much, and was starting to feel like his old self. It was a rough week taking care of two sick kiddos by myself, and both John and I getting sick in there too. (John's parents were gone in Florida enjoying Spring Break)

Times like this definitely make me miss being around my family and having them close by. My dad was ready to jump on a plane to come out and help me. (Thank you to John's Aunt Becky for her help too!) But we made it through and thankfully both kids are on the mend.