Adalyn's First Virus :(

DrRx

I guess it was inevitable, but Adalyn came down with her first illness.  We were out of town visiting DH's family.  Unfortunately, a couple of Adalyn's cousins were getting over colds and, despite us being very vigilant, etc, she still came down with it. DH and I regret staying with the family vacation.  We learned on this trip that as a parent you sometimes have to make the tough choice.  We should've turned around and ended our vacation early when we learned that the other kids were sick.  We basically attended a family reunion of sorts with DH's family all staying in a beautiful, huge house at the beach.  Despite all the wiping down, and not really letting others hold Adalyn, she still got sick.  She actually came down with 2 viruses--but I'm getting ahead of myself.

So, at first she started with the congestion.  So, we did the saline and bulb syringe (aka, torture devices).   When we first noticed the congestion, we called the pedi and she said to watch for signs/symptoms of labored breathing (collar breathing, nostril flaring, retractions) and to keep using the bulb syringe and saline. Then she got a low-grade fever and didn't eat for about 6 hours during the day. The pedi then said that it was ok to give her tylenol (since she was really fussy) and to mix some pedialyte in with the formula to see if she would take it.  She told us about what to look for if she got dehydrated (as well as to keep on the lookout for the signs of labored breathing).  Luckily, mixing 2 ounces of strawberry pedialyte with 2 ounces of formula seemed to do the trick.  The tylenol didn't hurt either.  That was Saturday.  We cut our vacation short and flew back a day early. 

On Sunday, the day we flew back, Adalyn actually did much better.  Of course we had to continue with our torture devices, but she didn't get another fever and took the formula without the pedialyte. She still had congestion on Monday (and it was sometimes yellowish) so I took her in to the pedi.  We told her how she had this rash on her cheeks (which we thought was from her rubbing her face because she's teething) but when we showed her a pic the pedi said that she was 99.9% sure that Adalyn had Fifth Disease.  She also swabbed her (to be on the safe side and make sure no RSV, flu, etc) and she ended up coming back positive for a rhinovirus.

At first, we were so worried that she was going to have breathing problems (since we just went off oxygen in the middle of July) and that we were going to have to take her to an ER in the middle of nowhere.  We were just beside ourselves with worry.  We had to sleep with her on our chest, somewhat sitting up, so that she could breathe better.  It was kind of like sleeping on a plane.  It was just...awful.  And then, having to squirt the saline in her nose and suction her out.  She kept looking at us like "WTF are you doing???" I felt so guilty.  I felt so guilty because it was my fault that she was sick.  We should've changed our flight earlier and immediately gone home.

Luckily, she survived her first couple of viruses and is doing better.  She still has some mucous, but we don't have to suction her that often.  I'm so glad that it didn't turn into anything serious.  I'm glad that she didn't end up needing oxygen.  

In other news, Adalyn has found her hands!! She is grabbing things and moving them from one hand to another.  She is also giggling and chuckling out loud! She finds the cat and dogs hysterical.  She also loves it when Daddy throws her up in the air. She is **ALMOST** sitting on her own.  It is so great seeing her interact with some of the toys that we have for her.  

I'll be sure to post a pic of her soon.  Between the trip, her getting sick, and a thousand things I have going on at work, I haven't had much time to Bump.  I try to catch up on some posts on my lunch break.  Sorry I've been MIA lately! I should have some more time next week once some of my work things wrap up. 

 

urbanflowerpot

First, I'm glad she's doing better and that nothing serious came out of it. Next, try not to beat yourself up over it. Germs happen, and I know that it's hard at first and I still do my share of avoiding them. It was likely the plane rather than the company you kept - planes are top-notch-germ breeders DS gets sick a lot - he had four bronchial viruses from Dec - June (our pedi doesn't test for RSV so could have been - but RSV is treated the same as bronchitis so there's no need). I feel your pain on those stuffy nights - it's brutal. 

Now, put down the bulb and treat your daughter to as aspirator Here is my fave: https://www.amazon.com/Nasal-Aspirator-Vacuum-Suction-Pigeon/dp/B0015TM0M6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348454769&sr=8-2&keywords=pigeon+baby 

pathfindermon

I'm so sorry she got sick.  It sounds like you and your husband were really on top of everything and I'm sure that helped for her to get better so fast.  I'm glad she's feeling better and it sounds like (other than the virus) she's doing great!  I can't wait to see pic's!

DrRx

urbanflowerpot:

First, I'm glad she's doing better and that nothing serious came out of it. Next, try not to beat yourself up over it. Germs happen, and I know that it's hard at first and I still do my share of avoiding them. It was likely the plane rather than the company you kept - planes are top-notch-germ breeders DS gets sick a lot - he had four bronchial viruses from Dec - June (our pedi doesn't test for RSV so could have been - but RSV is treated the same as bronchitis so there's no need). I feel your pain on those stuffy nights - it's brutal. 

Now, put down the bulb and treat your daughter to as aspirator Here is my fave: https://www.amazon.com/Nasal-Aspirator-Vacuum-Suction-Pigeon/dp/B0015TM0M6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348454769&sr=8-2&keywords=pigeon+baby 

Thanks! I just ordered it! It sounds SOOOO much better than the bulb syringe! And probably a lot more comfortable for her too.  

 

urbanflowerpot

DrRx:

urbanflowerpot:

First, I'm glad she's doing better and that nothing serious came out of it. Next, try not to beat yourself up over it. Germs happen, and I know that it's hard at first and I still do my share of avoiding them. It was likely the plane rather than the company you kept - planes are top-notch-germ breeders DS gets sick a lot - he had four bronchial viruses from Dec - June (our pedi doesn't test for RSV so could have been - but RSV is treated the same as bronchitis so there's no need). I feel your pain on those stuffy nights - it's brutal. 

Now, put down the bulb and treat your daughter to as aspirator Here is my fave: https://www.amazon.com/Nasal-Aspirator-Vacuum-Suction-Pigeon/dp/B0015TM0M6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348454769&sr=8-2&keywords=pigeon+baby 

Thanks! I just ordered it! It sounds SOOOO much better than the bulb syringe! And probably a lot more comfortable for her too.  

 

You're so welcome! I can't believe you've been using a bulb this whole time! It takes a little getting used to - I promise you won't suck her brains out LOL (I totally had that image in my head when I got mine - I was so timid!). I read in some of the reviews that sometimes the kids will use them as toddlers on themselves. I will crack up and then tell you if that happens ;D 

Missa_g

Huge hugs to you, your husband, and Adalyn.  So glad she's feeling better!

My boys love the Nosefrida and it works so much better than the bulb! 

jennbent

Boo I'm sorry she got sick. Like someone else said, it could've been the plane so don't beat yourself up over it. I am soooo glad though that you guys didn't have to go back on oxygen! She's a tough little girl!

ashk7

Glad little adalyn is feeling better!!! And like pp said don't blame yourself, you caughtbit quick and dceverythingbroght! I can't wait to see a picture update!!nbsp;

Whoa bumping from my phone, that was supposed to say caught it and did everything right! Sorry ladies!

MoFree

Sorry about Adalyn's first illness and glad she is doing better. I love reading about how well she is doing because it gives me hope.