RSV!!!

Apparently it is not uncommon for RSV rapid screens done in the ER to be wrong.

The pediatrician's office called today, because Logan's culture is positive for RSV!  Glad they actually send out those rapid screens for further culture.  Livi's is still unconclusive, but even if it doesn't culture out as positive, odds are she has it too.  And if Hayden doesn't already have it, I'm sure he will.  I'm hoping he does & that his Monday croup episode was his response & we don't see anything worse from him.

RSV can be a very dangerous respiratory virus for kids, especially preemies with delayed lung development.  I was told today that preemie lungs are still doing catch up growth until age 7.  So while my kids seems SO good to me & so un-preemie like.  I have to remember, inside they still are.  We are lucky winter #1 we got Synagis to prevent RSV.  And lucky season #2 we avoided it.  And even though this sucks, in reality, we are lucky thus far, because it could be worse.  RSV can equate to ventillators!  So while it sucks, sucks, sucks.  I'm trying to keep in perspective that this is managable.  Lucky Grandma Maas was able to come stay & help daddy out.  And lucky so far this is the worst of it.  Just pray for quick recoveries & that we keep moving in the forward direction!!

Livi's sleeping sats this afternoon were just 86, so on O2 to sleep, off when awake.  And so obviously, still here.  Her temp has been pretty low grade, but I have had them dose her up with some Tylenol anyways, because I can tell her throat hurts her.  She is managing to drink fair with some serious bribery & threats from her mama.  So for now the IV is turned off, but still in.  Bribery was failing this morning & she was fighting with me over everything.  She calls her IV her "owie sticker" {I guess because its owie & covered in tape?} so I broke my cool this afternoon & told her if she didn't drink she had to have more owie stickers!  She ate a cup of apple sauce & drank a carton of milk.  So it was worth the threat.  Now if I can only convice her to take her "rainbow shirt" off so I can bathe her stinky, sweaty self.  But for some reason her $3 Walmart shirt with a rainbow on it makes her happy, so I'm dealing with her stink.  She is still asking to pee in the potty & her only pee in diaper event today was overnight.  Wakes up from naps dry & asks to go "pee in potty."  Insane!

Logan is still fighting a fever at home.  It sounds like it jumps up to around 103 between doses of Motrin.  He gets alternating doses of Motrin or Tylenol every 3 hours.  A cold bath once today & running around in a diaper to keep him cool.  He isn't really eating, but he is drinking & peeing.  The ped office said as long as he has 3 GOOD wet diapers a day & meds & baths keep his fever down, just keep doing comfort cares.  The fever can stick around for 10 days!!  So keep watching for dehydration.  And obviously bring him if he is lethargic, dehydrated or if his respiratory distress returns.  He did have one Albuterol treatment this morning, but responded really well.  And is cheerful & breathing ok.  But tired. 

Hayden seems to be fine.  {Fingers crossed!} 

So I guess we are sick for the long haul.  Not sure when we'll see the light of day again?  Or when I'll be able to go back to work?  Even if I wanted to go, or could go, pretty sure they don't want my germ infested self there!  I knew it would be a rough winter, being the kids' first in daycare.  But I never anticipated 2 hospital stays before the end of January!  Maybe I'll interview nannies while I'm home with RSV infested kids?  I WANT them to build some immunities & I LOVE the interaction of daycare for them.  But seesh!! 

I REALLY wish we owned an IPAD or 2.  Or at least nice laptops with cameras so Jeff & I could Skype back & forth with the kids or something.  We are SO beyond out of the technology loop!  And so I could have something for Livi to do.  Play some IPAD kiddy aps or something.  But affording new IPADS now, ha! 

So, yep, RSV.  No wonder they looked like hell.