RSV strikes again

I'm desperately trying to stay on top of my blogging... mostly because my memory is horrible and I love being able to look back in the archives and be reminded of the things I should remember. But life with three littles is crazy so I don't get to write as often as I used to. Still, I just can't fly the white flag yet. This blog is not dead! The reality is - most of my life is documented on Instagram these days (annieshoe on Instagram). But I'm just not ready to say goodbye to this sacred space yet. So, I'm going to try to keep it alive.

Anyway, we've had an eventful couple of weeks around these parts. All three kiddos had colds for several days and then last Monday (the 9th), Claire woke up complaining of ear pain.  I decided to take all three kiddos to the doctor because everyone was miserable. Claire was rocking herself back and forth and crying the entire time we were waiting, so I knew she must be in a lot of pain. The doctor said Claire had a terrible ear infection.  She said Claire's eardrum was about as red and swollen as they come and not to be surprised if it bursts.  She prescribed an antibiotic and checked out Emma and Charlie.  She determined they both just had colds and sent us on our way.  Fast forward a few hours and guess what happened?  Claire's ear drum burst!  She woke up from a nap and had blood and puss all over her ear. Poor baby!  Although it actually relieved the pain from the infection.

The week went on and Claire got better, Emma stayed about the same, and Charlie continued to get worse.  Three days later, on Thursday, I decided to take Charlie in for a recheck.  He was on day #4 of a fever, wasn't eating or playing, and had been sleeping more than I felt comfortable with.  He took a 5 1/2 hour nap on Thursday and that just didn't seem right.  I took him in, thinking they would tell me he had an ear infection.  Instead, the doctor said he was wheezing and his oxygen stats were low (93).  They gave him breathing treatment and rechecked the oxygen.  This time it was at 87. The doctor told me I would need to take him to the ER. It was a little unsettling to have your doctor say they couldn't help him and he would need to go to the emergency room! My neighbor met me at the ER and picked up Claire and Emma.

We were met at the entrance to the ER by a team of people who whisked us into a room right away.  They immediately started working on Charlie - hooked him up to the oxygen, put in an iv, started breathing treatments, gave him fluids, and did a chest x-ray. I couldn't believe how quickly they got to work!

It wasn't long before they determined he had RSV and pneumonia and would need to be admitted.  Although the ER experience was much better this time around, I instantly had flashbacks to when Emma had the same thing!

Charlie ended up needing to stay 4 nights in the hospital. They had a hard time weaning him off of the oxygen but by day #4, he was back to his old self and ready to go home!

Justin and I took turns staying the night at the hospital and the girls got to come and visit!  We were there from the 12th to the 16th.  I think Charlie's thing for hospitals on holidays should stop now. ;)

Valentine's Day visit from the big sisters!

Family and friends stepped up to help with the girls. People brought food. People had food delivered from states away. Flowers and gifts were sent. We are so thankful! It's so awesome to see how God uses people to fill in the gaps and serve in different ways when we are in need.

Finally ready to go home!

Here's to hoping spring is right around the corner and we all stay healthy for awhile!