Another ER visit last night (long)

LCB34 · February 2011

I am so over the ER. We've made 2 visits in the past week.

Last week Kate was diagnosed with a respiratory virus. She never got better ( and actually started getting worse) so we took her to the pedi yesterday. Well, her poor little body couldn't fight the virus off and her immune system became so compromised that she came down with a sinus infection and the beginnings of a double ear infection while trying to shake the virus. We started antibiotics yesterday.

Last night she started feeling warm - I took her temp and she was fluctuating between no temp to barely having a temp (between 99.5 - 100.6) for a few hours but around 9:30 her fever spiked up to 101.4. We packed up and headed to Texas Children's at the advice of both the on-call pedi and the on-call hem/onc doctor.

Thankfully we were taken back immediately (that's probably the only perk of an immuno compro baby - no ER waiting due to the risk of being exposed to the other sick kids). The ER doc examined her within 10 minutes of us getting there.

He noticed that although her fever was high for her (101 under the arm when we checked in - no rectal temps for neutropenic babies) her hands and feet were freezing. They also had very little color and were not color responsive to pressure. Babies should "pink back up" within 3 seconds of pressure being applied to their hands/ feet but it was taking Kate 8-11 seconds to regain any color - and the color she was getting back was very minimal.

The doctor was worried that her blood was being so impacted by the infection that her extremities were not getting proper blood flow. They also hooked her up to the monitors and her bp was super low (like 60/32 low) and her O2 levels were low as well (hovering around 82-83).

They had an IV in within minutes of realizing that and started to push fluids very, very quickly (she got an entire regular size bag in 6 or 7 minutes). Apparently that can help - and it did. They also put her on IV antibiotics, took a urine sample, flu and RSV swabs, chest xray, and lots of blood.

Her flu and RSV tests came back negative and her chest xray was clear. Her white count was low but her ANC was not low enough for us to be admitted - especially since her fever was breaking.

We stayed for several hours under observation to make sure her vitals picked back up (which they did) before being released. I honestly have no clue how we are home ? I?m glad to be home but a bit shocked they didn?t at least keep her overnight. We are following up with hem/onc on Monday and her pediatrician later in the week.

I am exhausted and just praying her fever doesn't spike again. We can stay home as long as she is fever free but any sign of fever means we are headed right back in.

I am so fearful that this is the beginning of not being able to keep Kate well. Her hematologist told us that one illness could be a major setback that takes months to recover from and so far, it is looking like that is exactly what is happening.

dana316 · February 2011

Poor Kate. That baby cannot catch a break.

I hope she feels better ASAP.

wille2b · February 2011

i hope she is better soon and stays well!! thinking of you guys!

lolalillie · February 2011

I hope and pray that she continues to feel better and remain fever free. I am so sorry that you all are going through this

You are an awesome mama and Kate is so lucky to have you and your DH as parents. Hang in there

SparklyCutie · February 2011

I hope she gets better soon!

fallbride110406 · February 2011

I am so sorry sweetie. -hugs- I hope little Kate starts feeling better soon. We're thinking of you, A and Kate.

JillRock96 · February 2011

I'm feeling so anxious and panicky just reading this, imaging what you must be going through. Praying that you and Kate can catch a break.

stepgirl21 · February 2011

I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Poor mommy and baby. You continue to be in my T & Ps.

nolachick11 · February 2011

(((hugs))) I'm so sorry for all that y'all are going through:( Hopefully her fever doesn't come back this weekend. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

emmyloustu · February 2011

Oh no!! How scary for everyone! I hope her little immune system revs up soon and she is back to herself. You guys have so much on your plates

Lots of good thoughts!

Cassian · February 2011

Sending prayers for your beautiful baby girl. I hope you guys can catch a break.

desabean · February 2011

I am so sorry. This must be so difficult for you. I hope she gets better soon.

charmcitygirl · February 2011

Oh my goodness! You have just been through too much! And poor little Kate! She is just the toughest baby I know! I do hope that she's on the mend and that you don't have any more fevers!

sliz · February 2011

You and Kate both deserve a break - I hope she is better soon. Do they know the cause of her immune issues yet?

MontyMrs · February 2011

Poor Kate and poor mommy, I can't imagine how stressful it must be to always be worrying about that sweet baby's health. ((HUGS)) I hope she's feeling better soon.

sweetpea18 · February 2011

Poor baby! I hope you have some answers soon!

jds0521 · February 2011

I am so sorry LCB, everything Kate is going through is just so horrible. I am praying for & thinking of her. Hoping she feels better soon.

Courted · February 2011

Poor baby! I am so sorry she is so sick and I really hope it disappears soon.

SeaSoul · February 2011

Gosh, that is so scary and exhausting, I'm sure...many healing vibes headed her way so she can avoid further illness until they reach a diagnosis for the larger issue and are able to treat that. Thinking of you!!

JM1977 · February 2011

Oh, this just sounds like a terrible thing to go through, and my heart goes out to all of you. Many prayers for Kate, you, and your DH.

kme930 · February 2011

I am so sorry. Poor sweet girl! I hope she is able to recover soon and has no more fever to speak of! (((hugs)))

PeachyKate · February 2011

I'm so sorry L! I hope Kate is feeling better soon!

Carrie25 · February 2011

I'm soooo sorry! I hope Kate feels better soon and you can get some rest. You guys just can't seem to catch a break.

*Willis* · February 2011

I am so sorry LCB. You all area having such a rough run. I hope Miss Kate can kick this virus, double ear infections, etc. as soon as possible. I think the ER is such a miserable place - I hate that you all have to go.

beebe929 · February 2011

Prayers to you! I am so sorry this is your reality!

brideinOC · February 2011

Poor Kate and poor mommy -n-daddy!! I truly hope that she's on the mend, soon! You are always in my thoughts!

laura&dan05 · February 2011

I'm sorry you are dealing with another stressful health situation. I hope Kate feels better soon and that you all stay healthy!

smilee · February 2011

I simply cannot believe all that you guys are going though.

I am so, so sorry.

Nesting.Away · February 2011

I am so sorry, L. I think of you and Kate so very often. Sending tons of well wishes your way. ((hugs))

Daisy's mom · February 2011

Thinking of you and Kate. Hope she will feel better soon.

sasa625 · February 2011

Poor baby! (and poor mommy and daddy too) This has to be so difficult for all of you. You guys continue to be in my thoughts, and I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for Kate. Hopefully she's able to get healthy and stay that way very soon!!

Hugs to all of you!

ladychicago · February 2011

Oh LCB...I cannot imagine. I am so sorry. how very scary... I am hoping against hope that she heals soon and stays healthy. You guys are overdue for a break. (((hug))). Keep us updated, hon.

Quizzle · February 2011

Ugh. Poor Kate. That's just way too much of a roller coaster.

I hope she gets well quickly and you figure out what's going on!

tapgirl · February 2011

I'm so sorry your baby girl is dealing with this. I hope she gets better soon. I'm also sorry you and your DH have to go through all of this stress and worry. Sending good thoughts to you all.

lovemymonkey · February 2011

You must have been so scared. Sick babies are heartbreaking. :-( Will keep Kate in my prayers. ((((hugs)))

perry7285 · February 2011

i'm so sorry she isn't doing well. i'm glad that they were able to get her stabilized and i hope she recovers as quickly as possible from this. sending lots of prayers.