Michael is in the hospital - again

MichaelsMommy wrote: I don't know how to write this without writing a novel, so make yourself
comfortable, this will be long.

Here's how it went down. I don't know if some of you remember but
ealy March Michael had to go to the hospital because he had pneumonia.
He was kind of in and out in a day and a half and went right on as normal
for a few weeks. Well last Thursday I heard the cough again. Friday
fever came so we took him into the peds. Chest x-ray, pneumonia is back.
So more antibiotics, more breathing treatments were prescribed and
they sent us home. Well Sunday night/Monday morning at 4am he
woke up with a different sounding cry. I picked him up and he was
burning up, temp was 104.6. He looked blue around his mouth
(not his lips but the skin around), and he was gasping. We went to the
ER and admitted to the peds unit. They did a swab for RSV, and it
came back positive this time (was neg in March). So he has that on
top of the pneumonia. He's been on oxygen since we got there.
They tried to wean him off of it yesterday and he was fine until about
3am and his levels bottomed out we had to turn it up again. He had
an IV for a few days - they took it out yesterday because he was eating
and drinking ok - well of course now that they took it out, he's refusing
to eat or drink again - so it may have to go back in. There is talk of
a transfer downtown to Childrens if he does not improve soon.
It's kind of been like 2 steps forward one back for days.
I'm out of my mind - needless to say. Tired, scared, worried, and
just an emotional mess. I'm sooo worried about his development from
all of this - he's going to be 7mos soon, not sitting, not standing, not
scooting - I can't think about it anymore or finish this sentence
The doctors don't know why this is happening..say its a guessing game (great)
-could be that he resisted the antibiotics before
-could be that he found a new bug
-could be that the RSV was brewing before and we had a false neg
I'm so frustrated, they're the docs, its their job to know and solve this
quickly. They did say it's nothing in our house or anything I'm doing.
But you know - mothers guilt, I'm thinking about everything too much.

So, please pray for us - thanks for reading.. here's some pics of
the little fighter.

My2Beauties replied: OMG Hon bless his little heart! I hate to hear that, thatpic of him with the tubes in his nose made my get really teary eyed! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this crap! You and your precious angel are in my thoughts and prayers ~~~GET WELL VIBES~~~

guertin31 replied: God bless... we will all pray for him...








www.frankguertinjr.com

PascosGirl replied: Oh gosh! That poor little baby. He will be better as soon as they figure out what is wrong with him. I will pray for you. Sorry, religious I know.

ediep replied: OMG!!! Poor Michael!!!
How scary!!!!
******Sending some get well vibes for Michael******

TANNER'S MOM replied: Oh! I hope he gets better fast...that picture of him almost made me cry!

Mel

gr33n3y3z replied: Get Well real quick Michael
Saying prayers for you

DansMom replied: Your post made me weep It's horrible to feel helpless when your little one is sick. I am definitely sending positive healing thoughts to little Michael, who is a very beautiful boy.

Mommy2BAK replied: Oh goodness! You poor thing, bless your heart and his. I can only imagine what you are going through. I will be praying for Michael and your family.

Don't worry about his developmental level! That will all come in time.

God Bless you all!

((((HUGS))))

3xsthefun replied: I will keep him and you in my thoughts and prayers!

ammommy replied: Oh, poor little man and poor mommy. I hope they can figure it out soon. It's frustrating not knowing what is going on. P&PT's your way.

mammag replied: You'll be in my thoughts and prayers.. Those pictures just make you want to give him a kiss and make it go away. I know he'll be fine but I'm sure it is so rough for you seeing him like this and not able to do anything for him.

jcc64 replied: I'm so sorry for you and your little guy! You'd honestly never know he was sick by looking at the pics (except for the tube of course), which I think is a good sign. He looks robust, and while it surely must seem like his illness has no beginning or end, eventually he'll turn around. I wouldn't necessarily look at a transfer to a bigger children's hospital as a bad thing- the level of care and expertise is almost always a lot better, although the necessity for that is unnerving I'm sure. Have any of the drs suggested asthmatic bronchititis or a weakness for lung infections based on his physiology/history? My son had a similiar illness when he was 6, and he did in fact wind up with a mild case of asthma/allergy. It has in no way impacted his life- it's just helpful to know the source of his infections.
I can clearly sense your exhaustion and fear. Try to have faith in the drs, and if you have a gut instinct that they're not doing enough, then seek 2nd or 3rd opinions. And by all means, keep your own strength up so you can help your little one heal. Good luck, I'll be thinking of you.

kit_kats_mom replied: Hmmmm. That's so scary. I feel your pain. It is so hard to see your child in the hospital with tubes and needles sticking out of them. Makes you want to jump in the bed and take all of the needle sticks and pain for them.

When Lauren had her bout with RSV, the ped said that she would be vernerable to colds and other resperitory illnesses for the next couple of years and that a simple cough could turn ugly quickly. It seems like once they get it, it comprimises their system until they get bigger and better able to fight off the germs. Their little lungs & airways are so tiny that it takes very little blockage for them to start to struggle for breath.

I suppose that the pneumonia could be the same. I would have totally freaked out at the blueness around his mouth though. I'm sure your heart missed a few beats. I'm going to guess that the dr's think he will be ok right? He's probably just got to fight the virus and be on oxygen until hes able to breathe on his own.

Luckily, he's receiving what he needs right now (O2 and hydration). The only thing I can really say is to make sure you take care of yourself too. I got really sick during my stay in the hospital with Lauren and it made the whole ordeal even worse. If you are staying with him, have a family member bring some good food from home, some nice smelling lotion and sanitizer and some very comfy clothes. Then get some of Michaels favorite books, toys etc and just try to enjoy the time that you guys are given in the hospital. I know it sounds wierd but I have come to appreciate the time that Lauren was hospitalized. I spent more one on one, uninterrupted, time with her during those 4 days than I have since. You can't pay bills, watch good movies, or cook dinner for the family when it's just you two at the hospital. Try to make the best of it.

I'll be thinking of you all.
hugs

ETA I agree w/ Jeanne that he really looks great in the pics. Try not to worry & it's not your fault. just dumb luck.
And development-wise, all babies meet the milestones at different times. K never crawled but started crusing (seemingly out of nowhere) & walking soon afterwards. Maybe he's just saving it all up for once,

Kaitlin'smom replied: oh the poor thing and mommy also. I hoep he gets better quickly.

Kaitlinhas RSV when she was about 4 months old, it was mild and she was not put in the hospital but it sure scared the heck out of me cause they sent me to childerens to have the test done again but since it was mild they sent us home, and told me she would me more likly to get it again in her first year, thankfully she has been pretty healthy

~~~GET BETTER MICHAEL~~~

5littleladies replied: Poor little guy!! I will be keeping him in my prayers!

Emeraldsmom replied: I am so sorry that you guys are going through this. Poor little guy. That is just terrible. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I hope he gets better soon.

moped replied: Oh you have my prayers, I am sooo sorry, your story breaks my heart. I hope he feels better soon............HUGS

iluvmysweetiepies replied: Awww poor Michael! I hope he gets better soon. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Lollie replied: OMG...Im so sorry to hear that your baby boy isnt well...

I have an idea of how tough it is...my little brother whi is like a little son to me also has continuous pneumonia and is in hospital all the time.The pneumonia has actually damaged part of his one lung so he has chronic lung...

You and your little guy are in my prayers that he recovers soon and can be home with you.Wishing you lots of strength as a mommy to deal with this..its very tough!

~HUGS~

JAYMESMOM replied: My prayers go out to you. My daughter got RSV around a month old and was hospitalized. It is hard looking at them so defenseless and put thru so much but he is good hands there. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Have someone stay with him so you can rest and eat. His development will come in time, every baby progresses at their own pace. Don't rush things cause once they start you fondly remember the days of not chasing them down.

mom21kid2dogs replied: He's such a little angel baby!!

Here's loads of (((prayers and positive thoughts))) coming your way!! Hope his recovery speeds up and mommy's life can slow down a little!!

A&A'smommy replied: Awww I'm SO sorry you are going through this!!! ((((((HUGS))))) and LOTS of get well vibes!!!

GavinsMommy replied: Aw, that is terrible. I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that he gets better soon so that he can go home with you!

Isabelita replied: I am so sorry! He looks so pityful and helpless I will pray for you all.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Awwww poor little guy! I hope he feels better soon! Sending lots and lots of ~G~E~T~W~E~L~L~V~I~B~E~S~ to him!

texasp3 replied: Oh dear, I'm so sorry to hear he's having a tough time with this. It's true, the pictures of him looks so healthy and cute... but still, it must be such an increadibly difficult thing for you to be going through!

I have to tell you, my heart does a little stutter-step every time I see your user name because for years people just called me "Michael's Mommy" and often didn't even know my real name. LOL! I love my Michael (who is almost 16!) so MUCH ... it's wierd, I would be upset for you no matter what, but the fact that your little boy is a Michael too just makes it that much more upsetting. Hang in there, and let us know how he does!

He seems to be doing nicely with that IV by the way. My Gabriel was in the ER twice in 2 days a couple of weeks ago with a terrible stomach virus. The second time they had to IV him and it was HORRIBLE. He screamed his head off for hours.. basically from the time they got the IV in until they took it out. Of course, the last 10 minutes he was screaming because the IV infiltrated and his arm was swelling up like a balloon. It was so covered in tape and wraps to keep him from grabbing at the IV that none of us noticed until his arm was about twice it's normal size.

Anyway... you are certainly in my thoughts and I'll keep my fingers crossed that he recovers quickly and stays healthy this time!

TLCDad replied: Get well soon Michael. Michael, you and your family are in my prayers.

redchief replied: Get well soon Michael. Prayers for all of you.

MommyToAshley replied: I cried when I read your post, I can imagine how scared and helplessness you must be feeling.

I hope Michael is feeling better sooon.

P&PT's and lots of GET WELL VIBES coming his way. Please keep us posted!

amynicole21 replied: I'm so sorry to hear that he's been struggling so! I'll be keeping him and you in my thoughts. Get better little guy!!

MichaelsMommy replied: Thank you everyone, I can't tell you how much
it means to have your support through this.

I don't know what to say today. He's not any better.
Fever is back, oxygen is up at full tilt, he will only stay
awake for an hour or so at a time, his pep and smiles
are gone. He slept with me in bed last night because
I was doing everything I could to get him to sleep on
his back. I thought he might breathe easier that way.
Took a long time, but he finally fell asleep. Well, we
woke up this morning to 3 doctors hovering over us
they were worried because he was panting in his sleep
even with the oxygen going. They brought in a huge
machine and did another x-ray. They said the spots
seem to be getting smaller and fewer... but I just
don't understand if that is the case, why the fever,
why the panting, why his lack of energy??????????
I find it so hard to swallow the doctors answers
'it just takes time'. I feel like we're sitting around
watching my baby die. I want to scream at the doctors
I want to get another doctor, I want to do something
anything to help him get past this... but my friends and
family with experience with this say the doctors are right
that RSV is not something that goes away very quickly..
and they are doing everything they can and he is in
the right place. So, I don't know.. The doctors keep
sending me home to take a break - I try to resist
and they insist. DH is there now and he's resting.
My dad is thinking to have wireless internet put on
my laptop so I can work/be online from the hospital.
I am going to go by best buy on my way back to the
hospital and see how much that runs. Might help to
pass the time while he sleeps, and help me keep my
job. But I'm hoping that someone will say he can go
home sometime soon, but it's not looking that way.
They said he may have to come home on oxygen
for when he's sleeping.. That just makes me so
nervous.

Ok, I'm babbling. Still an emotional mess.
Please keep praying for him - he needs every last one of them.

mammag replied: Oh sweetie! I will keep praying for him. Try to stay positive and not get too down. He'll be okay, I'm sure!

Lots of hugs for the little guy! And for mom!

kel replied: shame poor littel bean!!
he looks adorable though:)
hope he gets better really soon!! he is in teh best place:)

mommy2owen replied: Hope is gets better very soon!!!

P and PT coming!!

gr33n3y3z replied: More prayers for the little guy
and Hugs for you

Mommy2BAK replied: I will continue to pray for you guys! I am so sorry that little Michael is feeling so ill, I know that must make it even harder since he isn't smiling. But I hope that things start to look up really soon!!

(((((HUS)))))

Kristigirl replied: Oh that is just heartbreaking!! Poor little guy! What a sweetie he is...I can't imagine what you're going through...I have a hard time dealing when my little one has so much as a cold, they're just so pitiful when they're little and sick Prayers that he gets well soon!!

babys_aura replied: Tough little boy! Hope he and you are feeling better soon!
Amy