RSV

Tuesday, February 14, 2006, yep Valentines Day, we admitted you to the hospital. My day started off wondering how Dad and I were going to go to dinner. With one car, I had to juggle getting you and Grace up to Kelly’s and back to have our names on a first come first serve list, Grandma Brossette had sent us a gift certificate and we wanted to use it. Like many other days when we had the car, we ran our errands and you slept most of the morning, you were on ‘yellow Triaminic’ per Dr Nuttall’s office. I had called a few days earlier because you had a bad cough and congestion. We went to Kelly’s after lunch and the plan was to leave you and Grace there and come back home to get ready. While up there Joshie woke up with an eye infection and Kelly called Dr Nuttall. He got an instant appointment and I said I would take him if I could bring you in just for Dr Nuttall to reassure me that Triaminic was doing its job and that you would be getting better soon. When we got there I had Joshie go first; he had ear and eye infections and a cold. Then Dr Nuttall looked at you and said you looked very pale and we needed to go to the hospital to check your oxygen. He said you had RSV and you would most likely need to be admitted. It scared me so much; I only wanted to bring you in to have him say you would be fine soon. We went across the street to the American Fork Hospital and after several minutes of registration and insurance headaches they checked your breathing and you needed to be hospitalized. Since our insurance was not accepted at that hospital we had to take you to Timpanogos Hospital.

We brought you back to Orem about a mile from the house. Once there they sucked all the mucus from your nose, put an oxygen nose piece on your face, a pulse rate on your foot, chest monitoring, and then after four pokes found a vein to insert your IV into. Grandma Lewis was there and was mad at the nurses for not being able to find a vein quicker. As they started the 4th poke I said a prayer that this would be the one time they would get it. I am afraid of needles so I could not watch as they did it. Daddy comforted you as they tried. The fourth time they found it and braced you arm on a splint so that you would not move it during your stay and have to be re-poked. I stayed Tuesday night with you. Grace spent the night at Kelly’s and Daddy went home to sleep. Wednesday was our first full day and some of my friends came to visit and see how you were doing. When you were settled in and sleeping Tuesday, I ran home to get a few things. While home I called a friend because we would not be at playgroup, and the news of you in the hospital traveled all over the ward and beyond.

Dad had to work Wednesday evening and Grandpa and Grandma Lewis came to visit again. You had been restless the majority of the day so it took all three of us rocking you to get you to go to sleep. Grace was still with Kelly, but Daddy and I both stayed Wednesday night. Thursday Dr Nuttall thought we may be able to take you off the oxygen but after a few tries decided possibly Friday to try again. You were not responding well but you had passed what he thought was the worst part. Manda came to visit and later Grandma and Grandpa Lewis came to visit. When dad came back after work I went and got Gracie and brought her to the hospital to see everyone. Daddy spent the night Thursday so that I could come home to rest. Though it sounds like a good idea, I am up typing this because my mind can’t get over thinking about every detail and what I can do to help you, and what I am incapable of doing, and what more the nurses can do to help speed your recovery.

Friday morning Gracie and I were back up to the hospital around 8:30am and Dad said you had done fine through the night. Dad took Grace to a friend and went to work for a few hours. Before I had returned to the hospital our new nurse had spilled a bottle I had prepared for you while I was gone, so I started off not completely confident with her. She was a BYU nursing intern and she was going to be the one who was supposed to be more aggressive in getting you off oxygen. By the middle of Friday you were looking much better and having longer lengths of time breathing on your own. Secretly I was happy for 6pm to come so that we would have a more experienced nurse during the evening and night. Kelly came to visit and brought me lunch. She was sad to see you plugged in to so many machines. Grandma Lewis and Aunt Cristy also came. They brought ice-cream. Daddy came back later and brought Grace. She watched a movie, then she and I went to the grocery store and Daddy stayed with you. Dad went home that night with Gracie and this was to be our last night.

Saturday morning Dr Nuttall came and said you were doing good enough to leave. We packed our things and signed papers so that you could be discharged. We left the hospital at 9:30 and I went to Jill Snelding’s sealing, dinner, and reception. Each break between coming back to see you and make sure you were doing ok. Grace spent the day with your cousins, Ali and Morgan Thayne, and Daddy and you rested and did his homework. Sunday was the Lewis family monthly get-together. We took you to it but held you the whole time. You are doing lots better and that were confirmed Tuesday when we took you to Dr Nuttall for a follow up. I guess we’ll go to dinner next month (our 6 year anniversary).