RSV

 sweet girl still trying to smile in the ER last night

 

I had other posts in mind...like Maddie's 5th birthday party but instead ask for your prayers as she's caught RSV. After a 6 hour visit to Wenatchee's ER last night, we now know why Miss Maddie became so sick and so fast. Her symptoms only began a couple of days ago...runny nose, watery eyes and a cough which turned into a raging cough Friday. I had first attributed her light cold symptoms to the weather we've been having: so windy and cold but it was the onset of this nasty virus. The fever began Thursday evening and she hasn't had an appetite (which if you know Maddie, that's not her). We visited her Ped's office first thing Friday morning and after an exam, Dr. Milnes mentioned that he thought she looked ok, just for me to watch her closely, give her Tylenol for fever or pain and keep in touch. He figured it was just a virus but also mentioned that it could be RSV but didn't test her for it. Saturday morning came and she was spiraling down with a high fever, sleeping most of the day and overall just had a rough day. Her sats stayed in the 70s, her breathing was rapid and her color worried me...after calling on-call Ped & Cardiologist, it was recommended to get her in again to be looked at as well as to give her some oxygen support.

The ER doctor was great and after knowing her test came back positive, they were admitting us to the floor in an isolation room. I discussed the possibility of having oxygen here at home and whether he'd be ok with that as they'd just be giving her O2 support and monitoring her sats and heart rate if they kept her. He was very understanding, agreed with me that I could care for her at home with the exception that I call if anything changes and get her in ASAP. Our major concern now is if she develops a secondary infection and the hospital is the WORST place to be if we're trying to avoid germs and infections. So, we're home now and staying put as to not spread this nasty virus and allow her time to get over this. I've cancelled preschool for the week and have two wonderful Grandma's on duty for the times that I need to be out.

Currently, Maddie's watching cartoons, she's at 2 liters of O2 to just get her sats to her baseline of 85, otherwise she's hanging at 75%. It feels like we're pre-Fontan again. Ugh, I just hope she quickly kicks this and I'm praying she doesn't develop any secondary infection. I'm just hoping that the two years of spendy Synagis shots she had as a baby are still in her system and will help her kick this quickly. Wishful thinking, I know.

It hit me as I was driving her to Wenatchee that she's not a "typical" 5 year old and she never will be normal...when she gets sick, her heart and body are taxed so much more than a healthy child her age. Reality hit me yesterday.