So, my virtue of this week was Devotion. No, really, it was. It just so happens that God thinks he is HILARIOUS, and so on the week I am supposed to be practicing devotion, my baby gets sick. I mean really sick.
Here was my week.
To preface, Baby has had a mild head cold since Sunday the 25th ish of January. Then, on Sunday night of February 1st, she develops a fever. I think nothing of it, really, but call our daycare provider to let her know, because most of the time a kid can't go in to daycare or school if they have had a fever within the last 24 hrs.
So, we understand that Vivian is not going to daycare tomorrow, and Jeremy is out of PTO (paid time off) and since we need him to make money, since I barely make any, I am staying home with the baby.
Our daycare provider, who also happens to be Jeremy's (and I claim her to be mine as well) sister in law, suggest that we take her to the dr. because if they develop a fever after they are already sick, it could be an infection.
So, Monday morning (was it really only Monday?) I call the Dr, and they can't fit me in, but one of their colleges can. So, we make an appointment for 2:20 (this is after a day of so much crying and sleeping on Vivian's part that I am really glad at this point that I have decided to take her in.) I get her ready, and we are running a little late, which I hate, and then I realize I need gas. So, already in a rush, we pull into the FM gas station (with V crying in the back seat) and they have two lanes closed and each open lane has a line of at least 4 cars. I don't have time. So, I turn around, talking to God about how He should make better choices, and how I was going to leave the gas tank in His hands because I had enough to worry about, trying to drive safely with a crying child.
We get there on time, (gas light came on half way) and we are taken back to see the nurse. I don't remember much of that day, other than these snippets
2 and 1/2 hrs with a crying/sleeping/crying/sleeping child in the dr office
Dr. says things like:
hear something in the lungs
chest x-ray in case pneumonia
antibiotics
respiratory rate is fast
worrysome
double infection
emergency room
Dornbecker's
blood work
possible cathter
So, after 2 and 1/2 hrs, they send us to the Beaverton clinic on Western to get antibiotics, bloodwork and a chest x-ray. I also, at this point notice, that Vivian hasn't really taken any fluids since 8:30 that morning, and has barely wet any diapers. I mention that, and they note it, but don't say much about it at this point.
So, shaken up, I take a crying baby outside (she calms down almost immediately) and call Jeremy to come get us and take us to Western.
We get the x-ray, pick up antibiotics, and get the blood drawn (3 tries...it took them 3 tries while I am holding my poor screaming baby in a vice-like bear hug to keep her from moving...) X-ray is negative for pneumonia, so we now don't need the antibiotics we have purchased.
We go home, and she still refuses liquids (took a few sips of water and that was it). I call the advise nurse, and he tells us to monitor her intake. If she goes 8 hours without urinating, take her to emergency. Also look for uncommon behavior, like excessive irritability (really? She's sick! of course she's irritable) I am more confused now than I was before I got on the phone. So do we take her, or is this just the nothing I thought it was just that morning?
Sleep barely happened for anyone. Tuesday morning we get up and I change her diaper. Tiny bit of yellow, and a tiny bit of pink. I immediately freak out and call again. I am waiting on the phone for 5 minutes on hold. Finally, Jeremy and I just take her to the emergency room. Triage, wait, crying baby, she has some Popsicle (yeayy), more inspections. It is either an upper respiratory virus, or a UTI. The only way to tell if it is a UTI is a catheter. They suggest going home and waiting a day or two. They at least gave me some useful info.
1. You can give infant IBprofun every 6 hours
2. You can give infant tylenol every 4 hours
3. You can give Infant IBprofun, then wait three hours, give Tylenol, wait another 3 and give IBprofun, in that pattern, to keep the fever down.
4. Give her any liquid she wants: applesause, juice, milk, water, formula, popsickles--anything to get liquid into her
5. This virus usually lasts 2-5 days.
6. watch for signs of dehydration--instead of being clingy, she doesn't want to be touched, is lethargic and stares off into space.
So, we go home (around 1 on Tuesday) and follow the advice. Tuesday evening she starts taking more liquids. Wednesday is better, and I think I will be able to go back to school Thursday, until her fever comes back Wednesday night...
Anyway, still sick, but so much better...and no fever since Wed. night.
But, I think I have learned a little bit about devotion. I am just hoping I don't have to repeat this lesson any time soon.
(There was a point when I yelled at God, as my baby cried in pain and frustration. I needed sleep, and I was frustrated as well. I told him that I knew I need to learn patience, but I was sure he could think of another way to teach me, other than torturing her. She fell asleep a few minutes later...Thanks God!)
