I could stay awake

Just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away and dreaming
-Aerosmith, I don't wanna miss a thing

Nice, sweet romantic song, eh?  No, for the last few nights we've been staying awake to hear Jay breathing, but it's not for any romantic notion that we just like watching his angelic little self sleep.  It's because he is so congested that we're scared at any minute he'll stop breathing.

I mentioned a while back that he inherited my huge tonsils and that we'd be looking at surgery to remove them sooner rather than later.  We were hoping said surgery (scheduled for next Tuesday ... ONE WEEK from today!) would help keep him from getting as sick during this winter's cold and flu season.  We apparently missed our window of health for doing that.  He started getting a cold in the middle of last week, and it just got worse as the weekend progressed.  Then yesterday, he went to the doc and was diagnosed with bronchitis & croup.  A steroid hit and some antibiotics - we're on our way back to good health, right?  Apparently not so much.

 He was really doing much worse this afternoon.  I was home by myself with him, and his breathing became really labored.  His fever spiked to 103, he was coughing constantly, and just couldn't catch his breath.  Back to the doc ... then to another for chest x-rays ... and then off to the hospital for overnight observation.  His 02 levels dropped pretty quickly, and given his history of heart problems, we felt it was better safe than sorry.  Of course, just as soon as he hit the doors of the hospital, he seemed to be the picture of good health and was perking right back up.  Why is it that the moment you walk in to a doctor's office or hospital, your kid (who moments before was on death's doorstep!) begins running around like a wild animal?  Poor thing is just pitiful.  I mean really, when I left the hospital, he and Derek were singing "Old MacDonald" while dancing on the bed.  Jay had some potent IV antibiotics rolling in, and was busily using his new "glove" (the IV line is wrapped in major gauze/brace) to practice giving high 5's and knuckles.  Next thing, he'll be banging it on the bars of the crib.

Because hospitals are breeding grounds for all kinds of germs, Derek and I decided it was best for me and  the Cheeze Doodle to spend the night at home.  Babe, I owe you one.  Perhaps I'll make it up to you when we have a newborn who needs to be nursed in the middle of the night... every night.  Maybe then we'll be even. 

 I don't know what to think.  His breathing trouble this afternoon was really scary.  And I would much rather him be there where he's under their care if he needs oxygen during the night or begins to have more serious problems.  But I also wonder why a kid who is capable of dancing on the bed needs to be hospitalized.  Auggghhh!  I'm grateful that we don't have to stay awake, anxious and listening to him wheeze again tonight.  And I pray that both of them get some rest.  But most of all, I pray these stronger drugs kick in quickly and he's headed back home tomorrow. 

Thanks to all our friends for keeping us in your thoughts & prayers!

Posted at 11:24PM Nov 03, 2009 by Jen Foster in General  |  Comments[4]