The week of December 9th, Molly Grace started getting sick and a few days later Bradley started with it. Within a few days all four of us had what we thought was just a bad cold/cough. We took the kids to the doctor on December 12th, with results of "it's just viral and will run it's course". So back home we went. Over the weekend, Molly Grace started improving but Bradley continued to get worse. We were very concerned with his cough and his breathing. We decided we would take him back on Monday. They did an oxygen check and his oxygen levels were down to 89% which isn't all that bad, but needed help. They did an albuterol treatment on him and his levels went up to 94%. They sent us back home and told me to feed him and come back in 4 hours. At 3 pm we went back to the doctor. He had gained a few ounces and his oxygen levels were at 93% which checks out fine with the dr. He told us to just watch his breathing and if he gets to where he can't eat because of it we would need to go to Children's Hospital.
He seemed ok that afternoon and night. He woke up at 3:15 am crying, so I proceeded to feed him and he could not eat. I mean, could not at all. He was frantic and could not catch his breath. Win got up and turned on the hot shower to see if steam would help and it did nothing. We knew what this meant. I called my sweet friend, who I do not know what I would do without, and she came over at 4 am and stayed with Molly Grace. We drove to Children's ER and were checked by the dr. (while Bradley was being poked 5 different times to get blood and an IV) I never ever ever want to see that happen to either of my babies again. It was awful. The doctor checked him out and looked at us and said, "You're going to have to be admitted, this is one sick little boy." It broke my heart.
We were admitted to a special care room where they monitored his oxygen levels and respiratory rate. It is the scariest feeling to see your baby (not even 2 months old) hooked up to oxygen and all the other monitors. We were kept in the special care unit for 3 nights before we were moved to a regular room. Bradley was restless in the hospital with all of the interruptions that a hospital brings.
I never realized how good nurses are so important. We had some of the BEST nurses taking care of our sweet boy. We had some that were just "ok" and we weren't at ease with them, but there were two that went above and beyond and it made all the difference! There was one scary night and day where Bradley was coughing so much that he stopped breathing and started turning blue. Those times we either had a nurse that didn't know what to do, or we couldn't get a nurse in our room fast. It was so scary. I hope no one has to go through that!
On Friday, he was finally weaned off of the oxygen and we were in a regular room for 24 hours then sent home. We are SO thankful he got over that terrible virus and we were home for Christmas.
I am so thankful for my wonderful daddy who came up to our house to get MG and take her to Mobile. She didn't miss a thing! She had the best time with all of my family. We missed her like crazy but knew she was doing just fine!
|
Sick boy in the ER |
|
Looking better on oxygen in a room |
|
This is how we slept most of the time. Bradley wanted to be held almost the entire time. |
|
Sweet dreams, sweet baby |
|
He got a swing to sleep in! He's used to sleeping in his bouncer at home and this made him feel more "at home" |
|
We got some smiles out of him! |
|
Molly Grace having fun in Mobile |
|
Some sweet couple we don't even know brought Bradley a teddy bear and said, "We hope y'all have a Merry Christmas" those things just warm your heart and make you feel good. God is so good. |
|
Trying to get in the Christmas spirit |
|
HOME at last! |
|
Feeling MUCH better! The many faces of Bradley! |