We had a WEEKEND.
Annabel’s pneumonia didn’t react to the antibiotics. Her fever rose every day, and she couldn’t keep anything down. So on Saturday we headed off to the weekend Urgent Care at Dr. Looove’s office.
Sitting in the waiting room, I of course remembered the trips to the urgent care I took with Maddie. I kept reminding myself that things were different. It also “helped” that Annie cried the whole time we were in the waiting room. I spent the majority of our time there trying to comfort my poor Bel.
The weekend doc was equally concerned over Annie’s condition, and ordered more x-rays. Holding Annie still in precisely the right place for the x-rays was almost impossible. She was crying and wiggling and looking at us with big “why are you doing this to me?!” eyes. It was miserable for all of us.
While we waited for the x-ray results the nurse measured Annie’s pulse ox. Annie was (of course) crying during the measurement (which was taken through her foot with a painless sensor, but Drama Annie voiced her displeasure nonetheless) and it came out in the 90s. Thank goodness!
Weekend Doc eventually returned with the results of her x-ray: no improvement from her previous x-ray. But, on the bright side, it wasn’t a WORSE scan! Cup half-full and all that. Weekend Doc decided to give Annie an antibiotic shot as a kick-start, and an additional antibiotic to add to the arsenal.
Oh, and the shot? Was in her BUTT. And she was sleeping when she got it. I’m sure you can imagine how fun THAT was for her (and us). Poor baby.
Since the shot Annie has done a LOT of fitful sleeping. Mike, Rigby, and I are very tired. The good news is that Annie’s fever finally broke on Sunday! I am so relieved. She has seemed SO much more comfortable and has even been up to playing with her toys and, most importantly, eating!
We have another appointment scheduled for Tuesday, where Annabel will have more chest x-rays. Fingers crossed she continues to improve… I can’t handle too many more days of my stress level being at 100.
Kristin says:
Glad to hear that the fever broke – I was thinking of you guys this weekend! Give that curly-haired girl lots of cuddles from all of us out in internetsland!
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
Oh, thank goodness she is getting better! What an awful weekend for you all. Best of luck for the next x-rays – both for holding still and for good results
Kim says:
Glad to hear she is better! Hope you can getnsome st so you don’t get sick too! Xoxo
Elle says:
I’m so happy to hear her fever finally broke. And yay to her eating, that seems like a great sign. I had to get an antibiotic shot in my bum when I was about 5 or 6 and it took the whole staff to hold me down. My mom was working at that doctor’s office at the time so that didn’t embarrass her at.all. heh!
Also when the doctor tried to put the tongue depresser in my mouth, I bit down as hard as I could and ripped it out of his hand while acting like a rabid dog. Nope, didn’t embarrass my mom and she was so thrilled with me on the car ride home.
Lisa says:
So glad to hear her fever finally broke and she is up to playing and eating, that’s always a good sign. I hope the chest x-ray and doctor’s appt on Tuesday go well and she continues to get better.
Hugs to you all.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
WOW – that does sound like a weekend. I’m hoping that your week is full of heavy sleep and healing for both you and Annie!
defendUSA says:
Sometimes I wonder why they don’t give them the shots in the first place!! As a kid, I remember getting them several times for Strep. We had a carrier who infected us all the time! So, guess who got the tonsils out? Me. Not my brother!!
Glad Annie is doing better. Love the shot thing. Much better than remembering the doses X 3.
Sherri says:
So glad she is doing better. Those shots are the best! I know you had to be incredibly scared throughout this whole thing. Yes, it IS different than Maddie, but just having Annie that sick had to be frightening! Hugs!
catherine lucas says:
Glad you could indeed hold on to the idea that Annie is different then Madeline. She is, and I am glad that she is getting better. Now everybody can catch up on some sleep at least, and soon she will be her old self again, pestering you and climbing on things…
karen says:
This is exactly what I wanted to say but would have been so inept at!
She will be ill sometimes, but she will get better quickly and drive you mad in no time.
Lisa says:
Heather, my daughter Giada (3 years and 3 months) had pneumonia the week before last and it was a horrible week for us too. Same thing–started off as a mild cough and low fever. Went to the dr the first day and she said it was viral. Then we had three nights of 104 + fevers and by that Friday the fever had broke, however the cough had moved south and she was breathing so shallow. Her pulse ox was 89 so they ordered a chest xray (as much as she tried to be still, lots of wiggles too) and the diagnosis was pneumonia in both lungs. We just finished 10 days of augmentin (antibiotic) which was no small feat–I actually had to reorder the meds since we lost at least 3 days worth in the beginning with spitting, throwing it up, spilling it, etc–why do they hate it so much?!!). It was a trying week, no sleep for any of us and I, too, hated seeing her so miserable–wouldn’t sleep either, just moaned and whimpered. But she is fine now and back to her normal routine. Just wanted to empathize with you since we had just “been there”. Hang in there.
Kimberly says:
I am soooo glad Annie’s fever finally broke. And I am sorry for everything you and Mike (and Annie!) had to go through this past week. Next weekend will be full of giggles and pranks, I am sure. Love you guys
Mary Ann says:
Poor baby, I am so happy to hear that her fever broke hopefully she will be feeling better soon. Sounds like you will all need a vacation after this. Keeping you all in my thoughts. Get Well Soon Annabel.
Leslie A says:
Sending hugs your way…to all of you! When my little guy had pneumonia, that shot was a miracle. I hope she keeps improving now that her fever has broken. If it is like with my little guy, they’ll (doctors) be very interested to know from here on out that she had pneumonia once.
Tami says:
So glad she is doing better. That stuff is wicked and hard to get rid of. Prayers and fingers are crossed for her on Tuesday!!
Hamlet's Mistress says:
So glad to hear that Annie has turned the corner and seems to be on her way to recovery!!
I can’t imagine how this has all been for you.
Abigail says:
So glad to hear that she’s doing better. I hope it’s a quick and easy recovery (without too much pain for you).
audra says:
poor annie! wishing her (and both of you) a speedy recovery!
Babbalou says:
I’m glad to hear that Annie’s getting better, it is so stressful when kids are sick and such a relief when they begin to return to normal. Heather (and Mike too) remember to take care of yourselves once she recovers – maybe a date night or massages or something – whatever will help get rid of some of that extra stress . You’re fabulous parents, remember to take care of yourselves as well. Hugs to you all and best wishes for Annie’s speedy recovery –
suzanne says:
Oh NO. That sounds godawful. Poor Annabel!!! I confess I checked your twitter feed a few times over the weekend to see how things were going, though I knew Annie would be fine eventually. I am so happy that her fever broke. I’m sure you guys are exhausted and I can’t imagine what a difficult, harrowing experience it was for you, but she is getting better and now you have some proof that, in fact, it is different with Annie.
Nikki says:
More prayers and wishes for Annie’s speedy recovery…so glad her fever finally broke!!!
lauren says:
feel better annie!!
Lisa says:
Glad to hear there is some improvement with miss Annie!! My 3 year old has an ear infection and was given the pink bubble gum stuff. She HATES it and spit it at me, all over the couch and as I chased her around the house, there were pepto pink spots ALL over the tile. And in her hair, my hair etc. She has taken any medicine so far with no problems, but the bubble gum crap, not gonna happen. So off to the Dr we went yesterday for a two and a half hour wait and a shot in her ass. And if she doesn’t take the pink crap today (which so far she will not, not even in a smoothie) then she will be going back today for another extremely painful shot in her ass. FUN!! I hope Annie continues to improve.
Lora says:
Awww, poor Annie! And her poor Mama! I swear being a Mom is the hardest job in the world. I hope she continues to improve and all your stress levels can come down.
Gertie says:
I am glad you went in. I also recommend sitting in your bathroom with shower on hot (nice and steamy), cupping your hand and pounding (sounds terrible but is best way to describe it) on her back where her lungs are. This is called percussion therapy. It helps break up the mucous pockets and lets her cough up what is in her lungs. Both the nurse at the hospital where my son went and Dr Sears recommend it. See this link for more info.
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T083800.asp
Jenn says:
I am so thrilled that Annie’s fever broke! I was thinking about you all weekend and kept checking back for updates. I was a nervous wreck! My son had pneumonia when he was 13 months and it was so scary. Thinking about you all! Thank goodness that Annie has a very special guardian angel keeping her safe.
Lisa_in_WI says:
I’m sorry you guys had such an awful weekend, but it sounds like Annie has maybe turned a corner and is on her way to getting better. Fingers crossed!
Elizabeth says:
I got a little stressed reading all that, I can only imagine how you guys feel!
Glad Annie’s fever broke and hopefully she’ll be better soon!!
Mommy says:
I was stressed just reading it too! Jeez. Poor Annie and poor Mama. So glad she is on the mend!!
Colleen says:
God bless antibiotics, they are a miracle. Annie’s journey sounds exactly like my daughter’s except Meg got two shots in the butt. She was better almost overnight. Yippeeee for Annie!
Leslie says:
I am SO sorry that Annie was so sick, but very glad that she is getting better!! Mamas always know when things are not right, so great job following your gut and taking her in to Dr. Looooooove’s.
Hopefully she will kick this pneumonia and be back to her old self in a few days.
Chris says:
I thought of you all weekend and hoped Annie was better. Did you happen to see the article in the LA Times over the weekend. It was all about fevers, very interesting. My thoughts are will you for a speedy recovery for Annie.
lisa says:
So happy to hear that she is doing better. My son and your Annie are just weeks apart in age and seem equally dramatic. Unfortunately last week we also went to the doctor (feels like weekly now a days) and he also got the shot in his butt. On on each cheek. The worse part was that he was being held down by me thinking it was a game and then had shooting pain in the booty. Lame. I hope it works, it make Emmett feel better within a day or two, after the alergic reaction that is of course…like I said Drama.
Again, so happy she is feeling better!
Snarky Mommy says:
I am so glad things are at least a little better. Is it weird I kept thinking about you guys all weekend and hoping she felt better?
Jenn says:
Snark – I felt the same!
amanda says:
Poor girl – I am very happy to hear the fever broke, and here’s hoping the x-rays look better tomorrow too! There seems to be so many viruses/sicknesses going around right now amongst the younger crowd.
Danny says:
Sending lots of healing vibes your way! We’ve all been sick going on two weeks now–not that horrible but what’s with these new viruses, they just won’t quit!
Josefina says:
What a relief that she’s improving. Still praying for her recovery, and that you guys can have some nice, calm days. Here’s hoping Tuesday’s x-rays are loads better!
Carrie says:
I cannot even begin to imagine how stressful and emotional this must all be for you guys. You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers this weekend and will continue to be there! Hope Annabel is feeling much better soon.
Amanda G. says:
Wow. I can’t even begin to imagine what y’all are going through. Poor Annie. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a fast recovery for her. Hang in there!
AmazingGreis says:
So glad she’s starting to feel better!! Sick Annie is no fun! XOXO
Jen says:
What an awful and scary weekend! So happy to hear her fever broke and that she seems to be on the mend. Mama can’t be happy when baby is sick! Hope you are able to get some rest…
Megan@TrueDaughter says:
So glad Miss Annabel is better. I am sure you are all relieved – it can’t be easy for you to see her sick, and even more so under the circumstances. Before you know it she will be back to her usual busy self!
Julie says:
I hope your sweet girl is back to normal soon. When I am exausted I wish my kids would just slow down, but when they get sick and loose their spark I just pray for that energy to return. Hope she is running and climbing soon!
Lynnette says:
So glad her fever broke. Keep getting better, Annie! Hope you get some sleep soon, Heather.
Glenda says:
Get well soon Annie!
So glad to hear her fever finally broke.
Hope you guys get some rest and sleep.
Mommy says:
Soooo glad her fever broke and she is eating and resting! Hang in there mama, she is on the road to recovery!
Feel better soon, Miss Annie!!!
xoxo
Jeanie says:
So happy that Annie’s fever is finally gone. It sounds like she will be her old self soon.
Penbleth says:
I am so glad Annie is getting better. Beat wishes to you all for her continued recovery and for sleep and rest for you and Mike.
Rebecca says:
I’m so sorry you are going through all of this. After all that you’ve been through, it’s very unfair that you are going through more right now. ((Hugs))
Eva says:
Holy geez mama your poor baby girl!! I do hope she gets even better SOON! I can;t imagine how she feels, and how you guys are doing with zero sleep.
I am glad her fever broke, thats the start of feeling better
Marnie * says:
Awww, poor Annie (and poor mom & dad). I’m glad she is on the mend. Hopefully she will be back to her adorable, busy self really soon.
Veronika says:
I’m so, so happy to hear that she’s on the mend! I hope she’s all better soon. Poor little thing. Getting poked in the petunia with a big old needle is no fun!
Dawn @ What's Around the Next Bend? says:
SOO glad Annie’s fever broke and she is starting to feel better!
My son is just getting over strep, so I feel your pain with the sleepless nights and fever bit.
Meg says:
Feel better, Miss A! And to mommy and daddy.
Karen says:
My daughter had pneumonia in December and she also had to get the antibiotic shot in her bum. Lucky for you Annie is small and won’t remember…my daughter is 5 and talks about it all the time! Hope she feels better soon.