Spring hospital visit

I guess I should have knocked on wood or something after my last post. Last Sunday, Hunter started running a fever with a cough on the side. Monday morning we went to the doctor's but determined to try a steroid to calm his inflamed bronchial tubes and frequent breathing treatments instead of admitting him to the hospital. We made it two miserable days before we were back at the doc's on Wednesday evening. The steriod was totally ineffective. Hunter had been extremely uncomfortable and agitated day and night. I was hesitant about going back to the doctor's a second time. Hunter wasn't really showing any of the usual "red flags" like a high fever or runny nose (he also got a chest x-ray on Monday that was clean). But his continuous cough was horrible and causing him to throw up. Our pediatrician, Dr. Johnson, (who is awesome btw) suspected that something viral must was going on, so, off we went to the hospital.I am so glad we were in the hospital that night. Hunter needed to be deep suctioned (that means they stick a catheter down his nose and into his nasal cavities to get out the secretions he isn't moving by himself) and required more oxygen support during the night than he's ever needed before. The poor little man was miserable. The prior evening, while we were getting settled the nurse blew out three of Hunter's veins before they got the IV in. That has also never occured. Usually, he has really easy veins and they get the IV on the first try. Getting the IV in was tough for me to watch.Dr. Johnson's hunch about it being a virus proved correct. He tested positive for a virus (sorry, can't remember the name) that the nurse told me they see a lot of in children this time of year.

The cute, green-flannel blankie in these pictures was waiting for us when we arrived, courtesy of some kind soul who made them for the kids in the Peds unit. Hunter snuggled it the whole time he was in the hospital.

Hunter's crazy sister came to visit him a few times while he was ill. He loves her so much!

We got to come home Saturday afternoon. Hunter is still on oxygen and we are (attempting) to handle the suctioning. He's headed in the right direction and I'm hoping he'll recover fully before his birthday.

On a side note, I need to acknowledge the amazing man I'm married too. He spent two of the three nights at the hospital with Hunter. All of the nurses were in love with him after watching the tender, loving care he gives our boy. I am ridiculously lucky to be married to someone who is tireless in his support of me and in the care of our son. Whether we are in crises mode or just our normal day-to-day routine, Bryson is as hands-on as they come. I'm so grateful I can count on him. I love him dearly. (Even that glowing commendation really doesn't do the matter justice, but I think that is sufficient mushiness from me.)