So Maddie is in the hospital again.
I feel like I say, “Maddie is sick,” or “Maddie is in the hospital,” the way others say, “I went to the grocery store.” Do you get sick of me saying it? Because I know I do.
On Monday night Maddie was really uncomfortable and restless. I looked in her mouth, and her top right front tooth and fang are so close to the surface that her gums are white. She wouldn’t let me touch her mouth, she wailed, she shrieked all night and never fell asleep, but her temperature wasn’t higher than 98.6 – 99 (her baseline temp is 97.6. She’s cool like her mama). She was breathing a little harder than normal, but that is common with her and a slight temperature.
On Tuesday morning I threw myself on the mercy of St. Grandma. She was supposed to come to my house in the afternoon to entertain my pup during Maddie’s assessment with Regional Center (which went fine, we’ll have more information on that next week). Instead, she came down in the morning to allow me to sleep so the Regional Center evaluator wouldn’t find a total crazy lady in my clothes. Luckily, the evaluation was mostly me giving Maddie’s medical history, so it wasn’t imperative for Maddie to be in the best of moods. She slept through most of it. She was a bit fussy and clingy but not overly so. Still only a low-grade fever, and it was off and on.
I’m getting to the point, I swear. Later that evening I went out to a cool event (which I will be writing about on HMR soon), and when I came back aroun 9 pm or so, Maddie welcomed me back by getting sick on my mom. I took Maddie to get changed and that’s when I noticed she was BURNING UP. No exaggeration. I stripped her and took a rectal temperature, and I watched the rising mercury with horror. It finally stopped on 103.7.
And thus began our long night in the ER. I knew it was going to turn into a hospitalization. She just seemed so out of it, so unhappy and so HOT. The ER was rough. Maddie needed an IV for fluids and blood draws, and the nurses had the hardest time getting a working line set up. She was probably stuck four or five times in both arms before the line finally took. The poor thing literally screamed her voice away. THEN she had to be temporarily catheterized for a sterile urine draw. AND she had to have multiple chest x-rays. As if that wasn’t enough, she had to have nasal washing to test for RSV (think Neti Pot on a baby, but with a suctioning device also involved – yeah, that bad). The diagnosis that got us admitted? Pneumonia. Serious, but I knew once she was pumped with plenty of fluids and her temp was normal for 24 hours, we’d be released to home oxygen. On Wednesday morning Dr. Looove came by and agreed. Woo!
Then a resident came by Wednesday evening and said, “oh, the initial test we did for RSV? The one that came back negative? It was actually positive. She has RSV.”
CRAP. RSV? Is BAD.
I don’t know how this is going to effect her treatment. I haven’t spoken with Dr. Looove since the official diagnosis. She’ll round on Maddie in the morning, so I’ll be able to get the full plan of attack around 7:30 am or so. Until then I am at the mercy of the 187,000 residents who come to give us slightly different versions of what’s going on.
My mom has been with me during the day, and Mike is splitting his time between work and the hospital. Luckily, my slowly-dying computer is cooperating…for now. It’s like deja vu being back here. We are in the same room Maddie stayed in for her first post-NICU hospitalization, except this time she has a regular bed instead of a crib so she can constantly be snuggled. She’s modeling the same super-stylish hospital couture. We built a fort out of pillows, blankets, and sheets, and we are trying to make her comfortable – as comfortable as one can be with an IV, a nasal cannula, and a pulse ox meter on. She sleeps a lot. She is afraid of any doctors or nurses that come in (even Dr. Looove) thanks to her trauma from the ER. It’s…hard.
Maddie in March 2008, and Maddie now.
I was really hoping for a hospital-free 2009. Now I’m just hoping that she’s out of the hospital before February is over.
**And, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, this has only strengthened my resolve for the March For Babies. There is still time to donate & enter my contest to win a new Kodak camera or printer! Thanks to EVERYONE who has donated so far!**
Bec says:
I’m sorry Heather RSV is such a bastard, I hope she comes through quickly. I’m sorry about all the attempts at an IV. We had similar when Erin was admitted. The registrar was lucky I didn’t jump across the bed and punch his stupid face in.
Spring says:
Heather, I am so, so very sorry that little Maddie is back in the hospital. RSV is such a PIA. I hope she gets well soon, or at least well enough to go home. My heart goes out to you, as do my prayers. And, again, my Maddie & I will pray for you, Mike, and your Maddie tonight. Hugs.
Jen says:
This is the only thing that sucks about having “internet” friends, we can’t be there in person when someone really needs us. Hopefully this is just a tiny set-back and Maddie will be back to her happy self in no time at all. Sending you all my love and hugs!
Jens last blog post..I’z been interviewed
Mahala says:
Bless her heart I wish I could say something miraculously comforting, but all I can offer are *hugs*
Hang in there.
Mahalas last blog post..Chilly Toes and Catching Up
catnip says:
I’m so sorry Heather, RSV is a scary thing. I hope Maddie is better soon so you can all go home and get some rest. How strange though, to be in the same room.
catnips last blog post..checking in
maya says:
My little Maddie. I just want to know what the course of action is going to be- so that we can get to it, and past it. I wish I were close by…
mayas last blog post..Interview with Moi
Amanda says:
That is terrible. We’ll be thinking of sweet little Maddie and saying prayers for her as well. Keep strong!
Amandas last blog post..Getting Closer…
AMomTwoBoys says:
UGH. Hope you get good news in a few minutes when Dr. Looove shows up.
I’ll be bugging you throughout the day with really fun/fascinating things to keep you entertained. You’re welcome in advance.
AMomTwoBoyss last blog post..Solicitations
jen says:
Oh no! I hope Maddie recovers quickly and can go home!!!!!!!! Thinking healthy thoughts for her!
jens last blog post..Rock Star
ali says:
oh, heather. much love for you and miss maddie right now.
mwah.
Cara says:
Those pictures tear me up. Poor little Maddie. Fighter that she is, I’m sure she’ll be well and back home delighting her mama any day now!
Caras last blog post..My Boobs Are Bigger
TUWABVB says:
I’m so sorry to hear that Maddie is under the weather! I hope she bounces back soon and you are heading home.
TUWABVBs last blog post..Prison and a Shout Out to Public Servants
Nina says:
so sorry to hear about Maddie……..RSV is yuck. My grandson Maddox had it in 2007 and we sure were glad when he came out of the hospital, just in time for Christmas. Hope Miss Maddie is much better soon and home…….
Ninas last blog post..and now let’s just say I’m an idiot……
Stefanie says:
Heather, I was wondering where you were! This sucks. Elby had the same thing happen at 14 months and it was horrendous. It’s what finally led to me going on Zoloft (the first time). They stuck her about 100 times to get an iv and never could get one. They ended up doing a gastric tube down her nose. Anyway, I know she’ll be better in no time. These things have a way of seeming horrible for a couple of days and then suddenly they are fine. Kisses to Maddie.
Stefanies last blog post..Let’s Talk About Idol
Maria says:
Oh Heather. I just bawled reading this. She’s so precious and you are both SO brave.
Susan says:
I am so sorry your sweetie is so sick! Get better soon Maddie!!!
Susans last blog post..
Andrea's Sweet Life says:
Oh you guys, I am so sorry. So far, 2009 sucks ass as far as I’m concerned.
I hope Maddie comes through RSV and pneumonia as quickly as possible, and that things start looking better from Maddie’s point of view, at least.
Poor little one, she just breaks my heart.
Andrea’s Sweet Lifes last blog post..The Great Butt Rash Debacle of 2009
Domestic Extraordinaire says:
This sucks. I am really hoping that she kicks RSV quickly. When Giggles was a baby she was sick and hospitalized. At first they thought it was RSV and did the whole nasal test….TWICE! (they lost the first specimen…UGH!) I remember how many times she was stabbed by those vampires-I finally requested a nurse friend from the NICU & they finally got her IV in. That week was hell. I am very sad to learn that they haven’t come up with a better way to test for RSV in 14 years and even sadder to hear that Maddie has it. Many hugs and prayers to Maddie, you and Mike!
Domestic Extraordinaires last blog post..You Blink and its Gone
Leslie says:
Thinking of you guys. Please give Maddie a big kiss for me.
Lisa says:
Oh, I’m so sorry. Many good vibes and ((hugs)) Maddie’s way.
Since I started frequenting your blog a few months ago I really feel like I’ve gotten to “know” you and Maddie. It really pulls at my heart strings to hear when she isn’t feeling well. Hearing that she is in the hospital makes my cry
Hope she gets to go home soon.
Lisas last blog post..Give a Little Bit to March for Babies
Angella says:
Poor Maddie!! I hope she’s feeling better soon!
Angellas last blog post..Mad At Dad?
Peggy says:
Hi, new reader here sending lots of love for Maddie! She looks so sweet and innocent! I hate hospitals and I hate February. Seems you got double whammied! Hope this is the last you see of that place for a long long time!
Take Care
Peggys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
Nanette says:
Get well soon, Maddie! I keep hearing that RSV is making the rounds these days. Bastard!
Nanettes last blog post..Back in the saddle again
anymommy says:
Thinking of Maddie – and her amazing mom. Get well soon, little one.
anymommys last blog post..Shit Chunks in My Utility Sink
Krishawn says:
Ugh, heartwrenching! I am sick reading this. All my best to your family and sweet baby. Get well soon!
Krishawns last blog post..To Chinatown on the Train
moosh in indy. says:
smooshie kissie whooshie.
I’ve told everyone here about that little kid.
NYC is behind her. But without the dirty stinky air.
Bonnie says:
So sorry to hear about the latest hospital stay. You’re so good at keeping yours and Maddie’s spirits up. Hang in there!
Bonnies last blog post..Maybe he can do our taxes this year…
Joe says:
and I’ve been bitching about Tyler getting an ear infection.
Joes last blog post..Suck On This – Part II