She woke up around 1am on Wednesday night (Thursday morning) with a 103.1 fever and violent retching (her fever has since reached 104.2 but seems to have leveled out in the low 102s now). By Thursday afternoon, though I couldn't yet hear much in her lungs, I suspected she was brewing pneumonia. Something about the way she was "presenting" reminded me of how sick she was a few years ago. On Friday afternoon, her doctor confirmed it in her right lung... base of the lobe... so likely not an aspiration pneumonia. He gave her an antibiotic shot and prescribed a ten-day course of yet another antibiotic which she started today.
So far, we've been able to keep her at home (thanks to all the equipment that we have on hand) and my ability to keep up with breathing treatments, chest percussions, hydration, etc. Her "team" agrees that as long as she's not any worse, it's better that she's not in the hospital where she'd be more uncomfortable and likely get sicker from exposure to all the other "ick" there. If she sounds any worse, starts having lower oxygen saturations or seems to be struggling more despite her numbers, I will take her to the ER. My biggest concern is her hydration (she's retching all the time) and her CO2 levels. In the past, she was notorious for working hard to keep her sats up and then suddenly down-turning because she'd retain too much CO2. (Doc also gave her something for nausea in the hopes that it will become easier to get fluid in her, though I don't think it's made a dent.)
This is the first pneumonia she's had since July of 2006... and that was the onset of heart failure prior to her third open heart surgery. Her heart looks good, so this is "just" pneumonia.
Here she is last Sunday (Daddy's birthday) chillin' on her favorite bench at the park.
It's amazing how fast things change.
Hopefully, those drugs kick in and she is back to herself again, ASAP. I miss her.
9 comments:
we send big hugs to dear gracelyn...and we are always praying for all 4 of you...we miss and love you!
Oh no! Get well soon Gracie!
oh kristi,
i am so sorry to hear that gracie isn't feeling well. while we are thankful that this time it's "just pneumonia," I know you guys are aching watching your baby struggle with ickiness. We pray, pray, pray that Miss Gracie heals fast and that you guys continue to have the strength to keep going, and continue to parent like you usually do - with so much love and GRACE.
Love,
the Nelsons
Absolutely adorable picture of her! I hope you get to feeling better real soon, Gracie. I am praying for a speedy recovery. Sending hugs all the way to California!
Love,
Kim
I hate sickness ... I sure hope that Gracie feels better soon. Glad to hear it's "just pnemonia" though! I hope it's gone quickly.
Sorry Gracie is sick. I bet it has been really tough keeping on top of the treatments, medications, and all the other "stuff" that goes along with a sick little one. Take care of yourself, Kristi.
Mary
Can I tell you how much I adore this photo of Gracie at the park? I absolutely adore it.
I am so, so hopeful that sweet Gracie girl is inching her way back to health so she'll be chillin' on that favorite park bench very soon.
I am so sad to know she's feeling so unwell...and of course I am thinking of your mamaheart because of the toll it takes on you, too.
xoxo
Poor Gracie I hope she feels better soon.
I'm sorry to hear Gracie has been so sick. I haven't had a chance to check the blogs this week until today, so I'm hoping by now the Cipro has kicked in and she is feeling much better. We'll be thinking of you, Gracie, and hoping you are back to your sweet self soon!
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