On Saturday Abram turned one year old. He had a wonderful party with many friends and family helping him celebrate his first birthday. Unfortunately, his birthday took a turn for the worse and we ended up back where it all started one year ago that day, Methodist Hospital. On Friday we noticed that Abram was developing another cold, we were sad that he was going to be sick on his birthday but we didn't see anything unusual. Saturday he wasn't his usual self and after hearing two of our friends who are nurses express concern (along with my dad's urging) we called the nurseline to get an opinion on bringing him in to urgent care. He was wheezing and had labored breathing. We decided to take him into a pediatric clinic and he was seen by a doctor there. The doctor took a quick look at him hooked him up to a nebulizer and said that she needed to call an ambulance to transfer him to the emergency department to monitor his oxygen saturation. I immediately started crying while little Abram sat on my lab with Barry holding the neb mask up to his face. I have never been so scared in my life! But we knew he was safe now...I just kept thinking about what could have happened if we hadn't brought him in. So, the ambulance came, they strapped me to the gurney and I held Abram for the ride over. He had oxygen and his third neb. on the way over to Methodist hospital. In the emergency department they did a swab for influenza and RSV and they both were negative. Abram got his first xray that showed "cloudy" spots on his left lung. So, they started treating for pneumonia...or they tried to anyways. They needed to start an IV and draw some blood but they could not find a vein. 4 different teams tried to get it and no one could. It was horrible having to hold him down and listen to him scream as various people dug needles into his skin. The Dr. was pretty insistent that they get the IV in but after about 2 hours of trying we asked what else could be done. They gave an antibiotic shot and an oral steriod. As soon as that got in his system he was doing so much better. We were admitted to the peds floor and they tried one more time to get the IV in. At this point in was about 2am and we were exhausted. Abram cried but he barely had enough energy to fight. She couldn't get it and we were able to sleep after another nebulizer. Overnight his O2 stats were really good and when the doctor came by in the morning he checked him out and said that he was cleared to leave. We came home with our penguin friend who gives Abram his nebulizer every 4 hours and an antibiotic to clear any traces of pneumonia. We are off to see the doctor early Monday morning for a check up.
I do have to say through it all the doctor and nursing staff at Methodist were wonderful. They thought Abram was the cutest baby and made sure to feel extra sorry for him spending his first birthday in the hospital. My favorite person was the paramedic that rode over in the ambulance with us. She was fabulous and really helped me understand that babies can be looking normal one minute and be in high distress the next (and I shouldn't beat myself up about not knowing to bring him in sooner). Abram did so great, he was the first baby the xray technician worked with that didn't cry during the chest scan. He took his medicine well and only really was upset during the poking process and who would blame him for that!
Not many babies get an ambulance ride on their first birthday. I am sure it will be a story he will ask to hear over and over, "tell me about my first birthday when we rode in the ambulance mommy!"
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9 comments:
Wow, what an adventure. You couldn't have planned that one, and you're right, he will ask about it forever. Glad to hear that everything was able to be figured out so quickly and that Abram is already on the mend.
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel so badly!!!! I'm so glad that you called the nurse line and brought him in! Good call! Poor Abram.....he was such a trooper on his bday too!! Hope he is feeling better, resting, and breathing easier too! Oh, and Mom and Dad!!
Grandma and grandpa are so glad Abram is feeling better. What a great little patient he was. We are glad he has his new friend, Penguin to help him get better! See you soon!
Oh man....what a scary adventure, on his bday noetheless!!! I can't even imagine enduring the poking- thankfully he won't remember that part!! I hope he continues to get healthy!
Abram's story broke my heart. I am glad he is doing better and home.
Poor little guy...you had a very exciting birthday. And, you may not remember the ambulance ride, but you will hear the story. We (grandpa and I)love you, and want you better!
I am so glad to hear Abram is doing better but it made me so sad reading your account of the rest of his birthday! I can guarantee he was the cutest patient!! It was great to see you guys and hope you are all recovering well!
Angie- That stinks he had pneumonia. What an icky thing to go through for him. Ty also has the same penguin friend. He has yet to enjoy this new friend but it does make him feel better. Hope Abram is feeling better!!!
We had a similar experience with Leah when she was about a year and a half. It wasn't her birthday but the trip to the ER at 11pm ended with admittance to the floor at 5am and check out just after noon. It is very scary to see your baby so labored with breathing. Thankfully it was a one time thing for Leah and I pray that is the case for Abram as well!
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