Here is how we spent last Sunday evening....
...in the ER with Jack.
Our very long week started with a call from Mrs. Bailey, Noah's school nurse. He had thrown up at the end of school on Friday and his ride had asked her to call me to come get him. Once I arrived, she advised me there was a nasty stomach bug making its way around the school. She then sent Noah on his way with a spare outfit they had at school and a gallon sized Ziploc bag, in case he got the urge to puke some more. I had never seen him look so pale in my life. Noah threw up and had diarrhea from 11:15 am, until 11 pm that night and then was fine. Dan slept out in the living room on the couches with him, just in case he puked more during the night.
Zoe puked all over her bed around 1:30 am Saturday morning. I got her all cleaned up and pulled the sheets from the bed. She slept the rest of the night in the toddler bed in my room and was fine when she woke up. Saturday was very uneventful. Dan got up and took care of our church cleaning assignment and then stopped by Lowe's to pick up Race Car Building kits for the kids. He hung out with us for a few hours before heading to Fallon to attend the adult session of Stake Conference. He surprised me that evening with a milkshake from Sonic. We were both looking forward to a good night sleep, given the events of the previous night.
Jackson started puking at 5:30 am Sunday morning. At first it just seemed like extra spit up, but I noticed it smelled a little more like throw up. I was a little concerned as it had been awhile since his last feeding, but quickly changed his clothes and my clothes and tried to go back to sleep. When it happened again, not too much later, with more volume and force, I realized he was actually sick. By this time his stomach was empty and he was actually throwing up stomach bile. It's not very fun to watch something so small, heave so hard. We did some research on the internet to find out what to do when a baby is puking. So, I started feeding for less time, more often, and then trying to give him pedialyte as well. At the beginning he was puking shortly after each feeding and between feedings as well. The longest he went between puking was when I was able to get him to sleep for a couple of hours right after eating. When he had been puking for close to 12 hours, he was becoming more lethargic than usual, and had a bad episode of dry heaving, we decided it was time to take him to a doctor. Unfortunately being that it was Sunday afternoon, the urgent care facilities close early, and there was no way to make in time. The ER was our only option.
We quickly dropped Noah and Zoe off at Erik and Kysha's house and headed into Reno. Once we got processed and checked into a room the doctor decided he wanted to run some tests. One of the things he was checking for was rota virus, he also wanted to make sure it wasn't a bacterial infection. He quickly realized that Jack was a little dehydrated. The first plan of action was to get him hydrated, I knew right away that meant getting an IV started. Ken our nurse tried twice without success, once in each arm, and then decided to call someone down from the pediatric floor, who was good at sticking 5 month olds. Lynie came to our rescue. She brought with her a heating pack, sugar water (they use it for pain control) and a high powered light (to see his veins). She was even able to get us a pacifier. We left the house in such a hurry we forgot to bring one along and really needed one. We were relieved to find out that he is an equal opportunity sucker.
She first tried the back of his left hand without success. Next she tried his head, without any success. Then it was onto his right arm and finally got it. She even drew a couple vials of blood while she was at it. She felt so bad as she usually gets it on the first try. Thinking we would be joining her upstairs in a few hours she taped it up really good, so we wouldn't have to torture him again. I was glad they were successful on the 5th try, I was ready to excuse myself if there was going to be a number 6. I couldn't watch anymore. Jack had even stopped fighting it. Once the IV was working, Jack started to perk up a bit. He smiled a little more, his coloring looked better, and his checks became chubbier.
He hadn't puked since we got into the room and the tests came back negative for rota virus. So in the end, the doctor decided to let us go home after giving him some pediayte. We finally made it home just after midnight. I was so glad Jalyssa had volunteered to keep Noah and Zoe overnight and until late the next day. Jack puked a couple of times and then fell asleep around 1:30 am. He slept pretty good through the night and I was beginning to think we were in the clear until the puke came back with force at 9 am Monday morning. He then puked again around 11 am and then again at noon. I called his regular doctor to see what we should be doing and if he needed to go back in. I was trying to prevent another rushed trip to the ER. The puking tapered off again. I tried my best to get in a nap, but was having trouble relaxing all the way. We got a visit that afternoon by the Relief Society President, Michelle LaMont, she brought us a freezer meal and some yummy cookies. She even offered to pick up Noah and Zoe since we were still waiting to hear back from the doctor. She must have also realized how tired, stressed, and out of it I was. I received a call an hour or so later relieving me from all my Relief Society Activity duties for the week. A very big blessing.
The doctor called us back letting us know that he had read the report from the ER and there was nothing that could be done. We just had to make sure we were offering fluids every hour and to watch for signs of dehydration. We basically had to just wait it out. We were once again feeling confident since he had been puke free for 6 hours. That however was very short lived. He puked again at 6 pm, 7 pm, and then was good until 2:30 am Tuesday morning. Tuesday afternoon Jalyssa took the older kids again, so I could catch up on some sleep. Another big blessing.
Tuesday morning was the last of the puke. I was so glad when we made it to 24 hours puke free on Wednesday. He has been on the mend since then. I on the other hand, have been dealing with my 2nd round of Mastitis. I really don't get it, I nursed Noah for 9 months without any problems and Zoe for 13 months without any problems. Jack is only 5 1/2 months old and I've had two infections. I was so relieved that my Doctor gave me a refill last time and I didn't have to load up my sick kids and drag them into Reno to get some relief. Yet, another blessing.
I can't believe how much sickness Jack has had to deal with in his 5 1/2 months of life. Extreme stuffiness or congestion shortly after birth. Bronchitis in December, which resulted in Mastitis for me. Pink Eye at the end of January, beginning of February. And now the Stomach flu at the end of February, beginning of March. Once again resulting in Mastitis for me. I am beginning to think I need to slow down a bit. I can't afford for him to be so sick again. It has been a real long winter. I can't wait for spring and warmer weather. I know I can't keep us all completely germ free. Noah has to go to school and I don't want to become a hermit. I just need to limit his exposure as much as possible and let his immune system get stronger.
Thank you for all the help and prayers on our behalf. Your service was greatly appreciated.
I actually just wanted an excuse to go outside and shovel the driveway and sidewalk. I know I am a bit crazy, but this is one of my favorite things to do in the winter. I don't like driving in the snow, but there is something peaceful about being out in nature and shoveling snow. I find it therapeutic, it is a good workout, and I get a sense of accomplishment from performing this task.
Just Jack. Noah thought it was important to have a picture of just Jack and Snowy.
He then wanted a picture with just the "little kids".
Noah took this picture of us with Snowy.
Zoe took this picture of Snowy.
We sure had fun.
