Sorry no photos this post- they will come in the near future. We're writing from Maine Medical Center in Portland where Benjamin was admitted yesterday. He started the week of with cold-like symptoms that progressed to some concerning coughing and general yuckiness. After 2 visits to the pediatrician, Ben was admitted to Central Maine Medical Center on Thursday. After a rough night there, he woke up with a fever, low blood oxygen levels and a rapid heartrate. An X-Ray showed some 'junk' in his middle right lung. That, along with his stuggle to get good breath, caused the hospitalist there to send Ben to Barbara Bush via transport in an ICU ambulance with 5 crew members (respitory therapist, 2 docs, an RN, and an EMT). Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to ride with him, but we made it to Portland first and actually saw the ambulance arrive with him. Upon being pulled out of the ambulance on his gurney, we saw him giving high fives to the crew, so it couldn't have been too traumatic of a drive.
And here we are at Maine Med. Ben has been on oxygen and an IV for fluids since we arrived yesterday. Some medications including the usual Ibuprofen and Tylenol, as well as an Abuterol nebulizer every 4-6 hours, antibiotics, and a recent start on some steroids. It was quite scary to see him stuggle so hard to get breaths, and struggle to keep his eyes open (he was lathargic and dopey, and you could just tell in his eyes that he wasn't feeling well at all). Blood tests didn't reveal anything too out of the ordinary, and x-rays showed some 'thing', but a 'large foreign body' was ruled out. He has the diagnosis of viral pneumonia and we're going to have to further some investigating and testing to see if he's struggling with asthma. There's a lot of question marks around that...
We were able to take his oxygen off at 6pm last night, and his O2 levels are hanging in, so that's great. His IV was just unhooked since he's started to drink and eat a few bites this afternoon. He slept a bit better last night than he has since Monday, so it's nice to see him more well-rested. He woke up using a lot more language this morning, and he's been playing well today. In fact, he doesn't want to hang out in bed anymore-- there's a great playroom with every toy imaginable here, so he's in heaven.
As it stands, Ben will likely be discharged in the morning (Sunday) after 3 nights in the hospital. It's been a wild ride-- never thought we'd have to send our baby off in an ambulance with five critial care medial professionals. Talk about scary. We're more relaxed today and hope that we can figure out how to keep this from happening in the future.
Thanks to all who sent good thoughts, and apologies to those that we haven't had a chance to call yet-- as you can imagine, we've been a bit preoccupied. Happily hoping to be home and healthy tomorrow. (The staff here is talking about stealing Ben in the night because he's 'just the cutest'-- wonder how many kiddos they say that about... We think it's true though! :).
~Katie, Jay, and Benjamin the adventurer
This guy just loves to be outside-- no matter the weather. He picked out a new pair of rain boots today (Pirates) and is obsessed with them. He didn't nap today, but played in his crib, singing and talking about new boots. The first thing he did when he came downstairs from his nap was to find the boots and ask for "locks" (socks)... He's remembering how fun it is to splash in the puddles (now that we've had some rain). These pictures are pre-new boots, but doing two of his favorite outdoors activities: blowing bubbles and playing with a ball.
