Unfortunately, Baby Bree got hit with a second bout of bronchitis and vomiting just a few weeks ago. One day we noticed an increase in her coughing and then the next day she started with the vomiting again, especially when she got into a coughing fit that would make her gag. Thankfully, this time we knew to make a doctor's appointment fairly quick, so she didn't suffer and lose as much weight, but she still lost a good 5 ounces or so. This one lasted just over a week. Back to the helpless, frustrated, and sleep deprived feelings yet again. I haven't found anything worse than caring for a sick infant (at least not yet....I'm sure my many years of parenting yet to come will teach me otherwise). The doctor put Brianna back on two breathing medications (Albuterol and Budesonide). Thankfully, she sat with me and explained why we need two breathing treatments and not just one. Apparently there are two things going on with the bronchial tubes. The Albuterol treats and relaxes the muscular bands that cover the outside of the bronchial tubes which are spasming each time Bree coughs. Then the Budesonide is reducing the swelling and mucus that has been building on the inside of her bronchial tubes. Both breathing treatments are given through a Nebulizer and take appropriately 10 minutes a piece to complete. I'm thankful that we have medication to treat this, but adding an additional 20 minutes to our morning and night time routines is a bit difficult. The Albuterol is to be given every 4 hours and the Budesonide twice a day. f I'm remembering correctly, she was put on these medications around 2/23/12. So we went through this until the weekend in which she spiked a fever. The first night was 102.9 degrees and the second night was 101.5 degrees. I felt so bad for her. Her little body was so warm and she had just about no energy. The most I could do for her was sit there and hold her as she napped. I wish I could do more, but I guess when you feel that bad, having a mommy to cuddle with is the best thing. So that's what we did for most of the weekend. Our poor baby completely lost her appetite and would only eat a few ounces at a time, and often she'd vomit that up as soon as she got it in her tummy. I think both Jason and I were starting to feel helpless. Jason made a "daddy mistake" that he will never live down (at least not by me). During one of his feedings with Bree, Jason was getting really frustrated and worried over the fact that Bree wouldn't take anything from the bottle. I think he was really nervous about her losing too much weight as last time she got sick she lost a whole pound. So I can hear the two of them fussing at each other. Finally, in frustration, I hear Jason say to Bree, "Fine. You need some alone time." He then got up and placed her in her jump-a-roo. Less than 5 seconds later, Bree vomits all over the jump-a-roo. I think daddy may have needed some "alone time" not Bree! Jason and I then had a conversation about Bree needing TLC and not alone time while she was sick. Jason agreed but also talked about how hard it is on him when he can't get her to eat and we both know how important it is for her to eat. I couldn't agree with him more. As parents we know or are told what our babies need when they're sick, but as babies they often refuse those very same things. Leaving parents to feel very overwhelmed. I told my supervisor in email how I eventually broke down one morning at 4am after a 1 ounce feeding (which by the way, Bree woke up screaming for). Immediately after the 1 ounce of formula, she vomited it back up. And this time the vomit had a tinge of brown coloring (not red or blood, thank God!). I caught all of it in her burp rag, but when I pulled the rag away, my little Bree's face was covered in vomit. That's when I lost it and started crying as I was cleaning her up. I think there was just something about seeing vomit on my baby's face and eye that just made me feel helpless. I'm her mommy, I'm supposed to be able to make her feel better and here I am having no effect on whether or not she can keep her meal down. Now, looking back on it, I know mommies have no extra special power to make their babies better, that's what modern medicine is for, but still. That night, she took and kept down a ounce of formula after the vomiting incident. I then crawled back in bed and started crying. Jason rolled over asking what was wrong. My words "I can't get her to stop throwing up."
Thankfully, we had a doctor's appointment already scheduled for Monday morning. I took her to the doctor who confirmed that the fevers came from a single ear ear infection. At that visit, Bree was put on two different types of oral/liquid medications. Amoxicillin for the ear infection and a medication to soothe and treat her upset tummy. Both of the medications worked like a charm and within a day or two of being on them, we were starting to notice some improvements! Yay!! Although the scary moment of the visit, is when the doctor advised me to take Bree to the hospital for a chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia They also took a nasal swab to rule out RSV. Once again, the tears began welling up in my eyes (I didn't lose it at the office though). I had this horrible image of Bree being strapped down to a machine while the nurses completed x-rays of her chest. Thankfully my fears were unconfirmed as there were two wonderful women in the x-ray room working with Bree. One of them took the x-ray and the other one worked with me to hold Bree in the desired position (all sitting up, so no laying down and strapped down images in my head). The woman and I joked about how chest x-rays (or any x-rays for that matter) are often harder on the parent than the child. Both of the women were so gentle and nice to Bree that all my fears went away. She didn't even seem to mind or notice that she was being x-rayed. The results of the x-ray showed some "suspicious signs of some pneumonia." Thankfully the nasal swab was negative for RSV. The doctor didn't want to change the course of treatment for the pneumonia. So we continued on the same course. Thursday and Friday, I took care of Bree in the morning while working from home and Jason took the afternoon shift. Then on Monday and Wednesday of the following week, I took off of work to take care of her. Thankfully, I can bring the work laptop home and get caught up on some paperwork only causing me to take half days both days. Jason took Tuesday and Thursday off of work to be with Bree and by Friday she was strong enough to return to daycare. All last week she was at daycare, and no new problems...thank goodness! I don't know if we could have handled another week of sickness. I will say it helps to have a truly understanding supervisor. My supervisor has an 11 month old baby boy, so I think she completely gets the whole sick child thing. I don't know what I would do without an understanding work team. They are the best!!
And now just two weeks later, we've kicked the second illness in the butt! Yay! Our little baby is hundred percent better, is playing again, has learned how to say dada, is rolling over in her new made-up game, made up her weight loss, and has a growing appetite! I don't know how single parents do this (I have major props for them). Having Jason here to help out and split sick baby duty has been amazingly supportive. And now looking back on it, I have to say that we make a pretty good team minus some "alone time" and tears :)
Some close-ups of our precious baby girl!
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