Ohhhhh the Bishop family. The big snotty, sneezy, coughing, walking germ balls. I have mentioned before that Easton has been sick since... oh his first birthday. Well thank you Brother, you have now managed to share your illness with just about anyone in your path. Maybe it's because you love to give snotty kisses, cough in every one's face, wipe your nose on grandmas's pants, or better yet intentionally BLOW your nose into my shirt. You've done it. And you've done it real good. Your precious little Brother, how dare you. When he gets bigger I'm sure he will look back on this whole experience and return the favor in some way.
I first noticed Owen had the tiniest hint of a snotty nose on Tuesday. I suctioned out a bugger and he was better. So I buried all my fears and ignored the dooming gloom. On Wednesday I couldn't ignore it any longer, I knew he'd been "infected." His nose was a little bit more mucousy and I was able to suction out some snot occasionally. But the most ominous sign was his very rare little cough that appeared very uncomfortable every time it would bark out of his little body. A little cough that said, "Mom, it's coming. Prepare!" I watched him very carefully that day and obsessively counted his respirations making sure they were under 60. He was scheduled for his 2 week check up and circumcision the next day so I took comfort that a physician would lay eyes on him soon. He survived Wednesday. He was scheduled for his 2 week check up and circumcision the next day so I took comfort that a physician would lay eyes on him soon. But during the wee hours of Thursday morning his warning cough turned into red flashing hazard lights. He had very short nursing sessions interrupted by rapid shallow breathing. But upon returning to his crib he would settle down so I waited out the night. At 5:30 am we transitioned to the couch where I could keep a better eye on him. We both slept okay until about 8am when Dad agreed that yes... Owen you look like hell. His breathing rate was now 80 per minute (normal is under 60) and he has significant retractions (that gasping movement you can see where your ribs suck in).
As soon as our clinic opened I called and they instructed me to come right in. I half thought to pack a hospital bag because with our luck that's exactly where we'd be headed. But I didn't want to be pessimistic; as if packing would somehow change our already sealed fate. The pediatrician took a 60 second look at him and sent us straight to Riverbend. He was shortly started on oxygen, IV fluids, had labs drawn, and had a chest X-Ray. Then we pretty much sat around and watched him chug along with his breathing. Our pediatrician sees patients in the hospital while maintaining her private practice so we didn't get to talk to her again until 7:30 pm. Needless to say Jesse was not happy! (I work in a hospital and never expect to see a doctor or be discharged on time so I didn't have any hopes to be let down.) She was very reassuring but also warned that the worst is coming. His labs came back positive for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
RSV is a respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms and thick mucous. It's not harmful to adults and we've probably all had it. However, in younger children (especially a 3 week old), they are more prone to complications as their anatomy is so much smaller. Secretions become thick and clog up their lungs making it harder to breathe. It typically has a 1-2 week course with the worst being day 3-5. Since we are only on day 2... maybe day 3... he will get worse before he gets better.
We started out our hospital day with his breathing rate between 60-80, occasionally higher but not sustained. He was mainly in his normal routine but a little sleepier. He was able to eat okay without getting too tired. As the night has progressed he has gotten a little worse. He is more often breathing 80-100 and he is close to being maxed out on his oxygen at 4L flow with 40% Fio2. The pediatrician said if 6L wasn't effective he would be transferred to Portland. He is breathing too fast to be nursed we are now relying on his IV fluid. He makes a lot of noises, coughs, grunts, and spits his binki out. There won't be much sleep had in this room tonight. I have now officially become "that" patient's mom that nervously stares at the monitor. I'm not sure if it makes me feel better or worse that his nurse is also "that" nurse that nervously stares at the monitor. But for now he's hanging in there.
The other kids are doing okay too. Elliott has spent 2 nights with grandma so we can get Easton back on a normal sleeping pattern. Eighteen month olds should not wake up at 4 & 5 am and want to watch cartoons!!! Night #1 of making Easton cry it out went pretty well, I think it took 20 minutes or so and then he slept until 8am. Jesse will have to do night #2 by himself and hopefully there won't be a night #3. Other than his crappy sleeping Easton is doing much better. He is finally eating again and back to his normal "climb, hit, trow, or crash" boy self. Elliott still has a cough which leads us to believe she started the RSV train, but it doesn't bother her and it's almost gone. We could use all the prayers we can get however. What a rough start we've had.
I first noticed Owen had the tiniest hint of a snotty nose on Tuesday. I suctioned out a bugger and he was better. So I buried all my fears and ignored the dooming gloom. On Wednesday I couldn't ignore it any longer, I knew he'd been "infected." His nose was a little bit more mucousy and I was able to suction out some snot occasionally. But the most ominous sign was his very rare little cough that appeared very uncomfortable every time it would bark out of his little body. A little cough that said, "Mom, it's coming. Prepare!" I watched him very carefully that day and obsessively counted his respirations making sure they were under 60. He was scheduled for his 2 week check up and circumcision the next day so I took comfort that a physician would lay eyes on him soon. He survived Wednesday. He was scheduled for his 2 week check up and circumcision the next day so I took comfort that a physician would lay eyes on him soon. But during the wee hours of Thursday morning his warning cough turned into red flashing hazard lights. He had very short nursing sessions interrupted by rapid shallow breathing. But upon returning to his crib he would settle down so I waited out the night. At 5:30 am we transitioned to the couch where I could keep a better eye on him. We both slept okay until about 8am when Dad agreed that yes... Owen you look like hell. His breathing rate was now 80 per minute (normal is under 60) and he has significant retractions (that gasping movement you can see where your ribs suck in).
As soon as our clinic opened I called and they instructed me to come right in. I half thought to pack a hospital bag because with our luck that's exactly where we'd be headed. But I didn't want to be pessimistic; as if packing would somehow change our already sealed fate. The pediatrician took a 60 second look at him and sent us straight to Riverbend. He was shortly started on oxygen, IV fluids, had labs drawn, and had a chest X-Ray. Then we pretty much sat around and watched him chug along with his breathing. Our pediatrician sees patients in the hospital while maintaining her private practice so we didn't get to talk to her again until 7:30 pm. Needless to say Jesse was not happy! (I work in a hospital and never expect to see a doctor or be discharged on time so I didn't have any hopes to be let down.) She was very reassuring but also warned that the worst is coming. His labs came back positive for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
RSV is a respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms and thick mucous. It's not harmful to adults and we've probably all had it. However, in younger children (especially a 3 week old), they are more prone to complications as their anatomy is so much smaller. Secretions become thick and clog up their lungs making it harder to breathe. It typically has a 1-2 week course with the worst being day 3-5. Since we are only on day 2... maybe day 3... he will get worse before he gets better.
We started out our hospital day with his breathing rate between 60-80, occasionally higher but not sustained. He was mainly in his normal routine but a little sleepier. He was able to eat okay without getting too tired. As the night has progressed he has gotten a little worse. He is more often breathing 80-100 and he is close to being maxed out on his oxygen at 4L flow with 40% Fio2. The pediatrician said if 6L wasn't effective he would be transferred to Portland. He is breathing too fast to be nursed we are now relying on his IV fluid. He makes a lot of noises, coughs, grunts, and spits his binki out. There won't be much sleep had in this room tonight. I have now officially become "that" patient's mom that nervously stares at the monitor. I'm not sure if it makes me feel better or worse that his nurse is also "that" nurse that nervously stares at the monitor. But for now he's hanging in there.
The other kids are doing okay too. Elliott has spent 2 nights with grandma so we can get Easton back on a normal sleeping pattern. Eighteen month olds should not wake up at 4 & 5 am and want to watch cartoons!!! Night #1 of making Easton cry it out went pretty well, I think it took 20 minutes or so and then he slept until 8am. Jesse will have to do night #2 by himself and hopefully there won't be a night #3. Other than his crappy sleeping Easton is doing much better. He is finally eating again and back to his normal "climb, hit, trow, or crash" boy self. Elliott still has a cough which leads us to believe she started the RSV train, but it doesn't bother her and it's almost gone. We could use all the prayers we can get however. What a rough start we've had.
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