I traveled to Rochester and all I got was this lousy inhaler

Call it a learning experience- that's about the best spin I can put on how we've spent the last few days.  This past weekend launched the first step in a fun-filled week and a half of taking advantage of my time off work by visiting family out on the East Coast.  Our first stop was to visit my dear friend, Jess McMakin, her parents, and her daughter (our god-daughter), Ella.  Xander and I had a bit of a cold so I was a little worried about  the plane rides, but he seemed to do pretty well- a little fussing, but not bad.  Later Firday night though, he seemed to be more stuffed up and woke himself up.  By Saturday morning he was breathing harder and was really stuffy.  I dismissed it as nothing more than the cold, but Jess, the experienced mom, heard a wheeze that she peer-pressured me into getting checked out at the local urgent care clinic.  Thank goodness for her- the urgent care clinic heard inflamation in Xanders bronchial tubes, an ear infection, and thought he was having difficulty breathing.  Because this could be serious, they gave him a steroid and alberterol, and told us to take him to the hospital for a few hours of observation.  Of course, at this point, I was a lot more scared- most especially because I hadn't caught what was obviously a big problem! 

Once at the hostpital the doctors and nurses measured Xander's O2 levels and they were low.  When he napped, they dropped lower.  Xander was diagnosed with RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). We don't know where he got it, but it is pretty contagious, and the #1 reason kids are admitted to the hospital this time of year.  RSV generally only produces cold-like symptoms in babies and adults and doesn't require any speicial treatment, but in some babies, can cause bronchiolitis (lung inflamation), pneumonia, and ear infections. Xander unfortunately had a moderately severe case, resulting in bronchiolitis and a double ear infection.  In the ER, they kept him on Oxygen and Albuterol and after spending the day there with no sign of sustained improvement in his oxygen saturation levels, Xander was admitted.  We spent 3.5 days and 2 nights at the hospital in all.  The staff at Strong Memorial hospital was excellent, and took very good care of us.  For most of the time we had a private room (RSV kids are quarentined) and only had to share the last night with another RSV baby.  The crib was big enough to allow me to sleep with Xander, which I did of necessity, because the Albuterol made him hyper, he was tethered to monitors and oxygen, and clingy and anxious about all the pokes and checks.  I've got to give the kid credit though- given everything, he was so good!  Jess's parents took on extra duty with Ella so Jess could be by my side and give me breaks for things like showers.  Jess was such a huge help and source of support, I can't ever thank her enough.  We also had visits from friends Michelle and Linda who brought us goodies, friendship and comfort. Jake and I talked frequently, each time deciding that he should not fly out; Xander and I were in good hands, and would be home soon. 

After being released, we spent an extra 48 hours in Rochester to make sure Xander was well enough to travel, which finally allowed me to spend some fun time with Ella and Jess and her parents in a more relaxed setting.  We played a few games, gave Xander a bath, rested, and made plans to head home.  Ella is growing into a remarkable young lady and is the only 9 year old I've ever met who refers to Heliotropes in casual conversation.  We cancelled the rest of our trip, preferring to go home and see Jake, but I was able to arrange a long layover in Charlotte so Xander and I could visit briefly with my parents and sister Meg and her family, and have dinner together. 

It was wonderful to see the two little boys, only 2 weeks apart in age, playing together.  They were so much the same, and so different too.  Morgan has the cutest tongue-out look of concentration and can stand all by himself and will be walking any day now.  Xander is better with blocks and shapes.  Both like trucks.  I've always thought of myself as a really laid-back parent, calm in the face of possible small injuries from Xander falling or similar things, but Meg and my mother laughed to see me jump every time Morgan fell (towards marble steps!  from a standing position!), got thrown into the air (almost hit the ceiling!) by his dad, or got picked up by his big brother Nate.   Guess I'm not as cool a cucumber as I thought, but I'm assured that I will be soon- Xander will be testing his (and my) limits more and more.   Nate was lots of fun and really wanted to know when we'd be coming to his house and staying longer.  I felt guilty, but promised him, and myself, it would be soon. 

 

Xander now is almost 100% healthy but has an inhaler to help keep his airways clear while he gets rid of the last of the cold, and cannot play with his friends for another week or so.  Jake and I are plotting ways for me to get out of the house.  The chariot will once again be a source of sanity and happiness- we can take long walks, and even meet up with friends for the same.