Wednesday night we had a bit of a scare. Around 5pm, Corbin was sitting in my lap and started shaking/shivering and wouldn't stop. I wrapped him in a blanket. I took his temp and my thermometer said he didn't have much of one (99 point something). He had had a cough and low fever since Monday, but that was it. After the shaking didn't stop for 45 minutes, I called Kevin and told him to hurry home. I called the after hours nurse and told him the symptoms. She told me to take him to the ER immediately. I was a little surprised-we were planning on instacare-(plus, let's be honest, I know the ER is a lot more expensive), and I figured it wasn't that serious. After Kevin got home, Corbin was looking really lethargic and not like himself and was still shaking, so we decided on the ER after all. Once we got there, they took his temp and it was 103. I figured our thermometer was just crappy, and the shaking was probably the result of the fever. I still wasn't too worried at this point. I thought they would send us home shortly after. Well, they took a chest x-ray to make sure he didn't have an infection. The results took forever to get back (like 12 hours). They also decided to take his blood since his heart rate wouldn't slow. This is when I fail as a mother. I just can't be there for it. I had to sit in the waiting room to avoid hearing him scream. It took like 20 minutes! Luckily Corbin has a tough dad who can be there for him.
On top of this, I was supposed to have dinner with one of my best friends, Jocelyn, who was visiting from Tennessee. I don't see her hardly ever, so I was hoping to go. But when things kept going downhill, I called her and said I wouldn't make it. The good friend she is, she just decided to come hang out in the ER room with us. She stayed for a good 3 hours keeping us company and we even grabbed dinner and brought it back to the room. She was Kevin's sidekick when they had to take Corbin's blood. The poor baby's oxygen levels started to drop as well, so they had to shove tubes down his nose to give him oxygen. Finally, they told us they were going to admit us overnight.
Meanwhile, I was supposed to catch a flight to Boston early Thursday morning to help watch my nephew, Link, while Allie and Chris's baby, Jett, got major surgery on Friday morning. I didn't know what to do. The situation and timing couldn't be worse. In the end, I decided to stay with Corby and hoped and prayed that Allie could find a replacement (luckily my mom could go out on Saturday).
Getting checked out in the ER
Sick baby in the children's unit at the hospital.
I didn't have the heart to take pictures with all the tubes on. He had oxygen, sensors for his heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing.
They kept him on an IV most of the time (we were there for 2 nights since they were concerned with the dehydration. He barely drank anything at the hospital. In fact, he still isn't drinking a whole lot at home and we hope we don't end up back at the hospital). He was officially diagnosed with bronchiolitis (RSV positive). The first night was the worst when his heart rate got up to 200/bpm and his fever almost reached 105 degrees. His congestion was pretty bad a few times that they had to deep suction him, which he hated of course. So our concern is still hydrating him, but he already is acting so much better. He was so excited to go home! When I mentioned home, he pointed at the door and started nodding and grabbing his coat.
Being in the hospital for just 2 days gave me a greater appreciation and empathy for people who have to be there so much longer. It is so hard to see your child sick, you are beyond bored, it breaks your heart to see your child so bored, and you feel so cooped up and helpless. I am grateful for modern medicine, however, and all those who prayed and helped watch Reed and Taryn. We have great family and friends!
