Perhaps I should start at how we arrived at Childen's Hospital. I took Asher to see his pediatrician on Friday morning after having 2 bad nights of many coughing spells with what appeared to be apnea. Asher's doctor did not hear wheezing and was not as concerned with the cough as we were. His O2 sats were 89% initially, but increased to 97%, so the Dr. felt better about that. After initially thinking he would send us in to Children's for a RSV test and chest X-ray, he reconsidered and sent us home on nebulizer treatments.
Well, about 3 PM, after Asher had not nursed since 8:30 in the AM, he became listless. We were having difficulty waking him, he was grunting and retracting with each breath. So, Chris stayed with the girls while I took him to Children's.
Upon arrival, they checked us in and his O2 sats were at 84% (you want it closer to 100%). The ER nurse calmly moved us to a room, where 6 or more RNs and the Dr moved in, started an IV and started talking about putting Asher on the ventilator!! I do not think staff uttered anything to me for the first 1/2 hour as they focused on stabilizing Asher. He was receiving hourly nebulizer treatments, O2, many blood draws, etc, etc.
After 3-4 hours or so in the ER, Asher's blood gases improved on oxygen enough that he avoided the vent and was able to move to the step down ICU unit. We are extremely lucky that we got here early enough so Asher's symptoms could be treated. It turns out that he was RSV positive. He has responded well to the nebulizer treatments, percussion, finally started to nurse, and he was taken off the oxygen at noon today. He has to be off of the O2 and stable for at least 24 hours before going home. Since going off the O2 today at noon, Asher has been wide awake, something he has rarely been since birth. He is now getting his afternoon respiratory treatment.
We are to plan on going home Tuesday and be happily surprised if we get to go home tomorrow. Good thing Chris is still home on Holiday break and we have grandparents to watch the girls so Asher can have his Daddy here, too. Chris has gone home a couple times, and I went home today for a couple hours before feedings. We both miss the girls so much!
So, Asher turned one month old yesterday, in the hospital of all places. His 1 month picture is of him with an IV and O2! What a month Asher has had...
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