It all started with a runny nose and slight cough on Tuesday evening, and by Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. he was having real difficulty breathing and we were frantically (ok, maybe I was frantic) headed to the ER. Initially the diagnosis was croup and he was treated accordingly. However, after 4 hours of observation and a chest x-ray, his oxygen levels weren't improving and his breathing continued to be compromised -- even after two intense breathing treatments, a steroid shot, and a couple of hours on oxygen. So, our pediatrician admitted him to Dell Children's (DCMC) for observation and to keep him on oxygen until his levels improved. Now, this is where the real scary part happened.
So, DCMC sent their own transport team to pick us up and move us from RR Hospital to DCMC. Initially, I thought this would be no big deal...just a fairly simple ride in an ambulance so Coop could remain on oxygen while in route to the hospital. Well, when the EMS crew showed up and they analyzed Cooper and his situation, they kicked it into REALLY high gear. They began questioning us about Cooper's respiratory history, hooking him up to monitors, taking his vitals and strapping him in -- all without explaining a thing to me and Chad. Turns out his retractions were quite severe and there just wasn't time for explanations at that point -- they had to act fast. As I'm sure you can imagine, I slightly panicked as I watched this team of professionals take our son's case VERY seriously. Imagine this...I'm hurling over a trash can out of shear fear and anxiety while they're asking me who is riding with Cooper because "we have to get moving." Chad and I both couldn't go and I REALLY wanted to be with him, so I grabbed a few of those blue barf bags they have on the walls in hospitals and off we went. Nothing like a little drama, right?! Praise God, my stomach calmed down the second we got on the ambulance and I saw that I had to be strong for my frightened little guy. Didn't need the blue bags after all!
The ride to DCMC went very well...Cooper eventually calmed down and said "WEEE" each time the ambulance sped up to move a little faster through traffic. He did remarkably well with the breathing treatment they gave him on the way AND when the paramedic put the oxygen tubes in his nose. He didn't even put up a fight! His chest was still retracting quite a bit when we arrived, but he seemed to be stable and I was encouraged by the AMAZING way that EMS team worked with the Cooper. They were wonderful. And I can say the same for just about everyone who treated/saw/worked with Cooper the entire time we were there.
We began our stay on the Intermediate Care floor, but we moved up to a room by the end of our first night. And that's where we stayed for two more days. Cooper remained on oxygen until 6 p.m. Thursday night and didn't require any additional breathing treatments. He seemed to be improving, but the doctors wanted to watch his levels OFF of oxygen for at least 6 hours before we could go home. That's why we stayed overnight again. He did amazingly well without the oxygen all throughout the night. He didn't sleep much, but who can sleep in a hospital anyway?! And praise God, he got a good report from the docs Friday morning and we were cleared to head home! I don't know who was happier about that -- me, Chad or Cooper! We were all a little giddy in the car. :)
So, thank you to everyone for your prayers, encouragement, love and sweet visits. We are so grateful for Cooper's health and wonderful care while in the hospital. I pray he continues to heal and we stay far, far away from hospitals for a good while.
Before I go, here are a few pics of Coop in his hospital gown. Notice all the wires coming out from under his gown. Pathetic, I know.
And everyone loves a bootie shot in a hospital gown, right?
8 comments:
Oh Ash, that just makes my tummy hurt all over again. Hits a little too close to home!!! When Ry was flown to TX Children's it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other, but like you said, you do it for your kiddo. PRAISE THE LORD for his protection and healing of Cooper!!!!! Don't you just wanna hold them close and never let go!??!?! :):) LOVELOVE you all!!!
I am so glad that you are all home and feeling better. I can only imagine the panic when they are loading your baby into an ambulance. Thanks for the update!
I am so glad that God gave you the wisdom to know how to take care of your Coop. I can only imagine how you felt riding in the ambulance. We are so thankful that Coop is doing better. God is so good!
Ash - I am so glad to hear Cooper is home and doing well. I can't imagine the emotions! We had a rough week last week with Campbell not getting over an ear infection. Nobody ever prepared me for the emotional roller coaster of having a sick baby! Praise God your baby boy is well again!
what a sweetie he is....hmmmm can I get a gown like that for the HOT summer?????
Love to you all, Auntie Di
what a sweetie he is....hmmmm can I get a gown like that for the HOT summer?????
Love to you all, Auntie Di
Hey, I found you off the Reeves Bunch! What a precious little man you have and what a crazy couple of days!!! Charlie had RSV too back in December and we spent an evening in the ER doing breathing treatments but fortunately it never got as bad to have to stay overnight in the hospital. So glad to hear that Cooper is doing fine now! What a cutie in that little hospital gown!! :)
Oh my gosh. How scary. I didn't know that this happened. Shame on me for not knowing and Praise Jesus it is all over. No one messes with our little guys! I am sure you were "fit to be tied". I am so glad it worked out insuch a short amount of time. Hospitals stink, but imagine a life without them. Yikes! Thinking of you guys.
Post a Comment