What a Week!

This week has been one of the hardest I've ever had, if not THE hardest. Having sick kids while I'm not feeling well is very difficult, but what's worse is when I start to feel better and your child continues to worsen. This story does have a more positive ending, but here's our week's saga:

Last Friday and Saturday Caleb was running a fever with no other symptoms other than fussiness. The good news was I could keep his fever down by alternating Tylenol and Motrin. I figured he was getting teeth or something, and then on Sunday I started getting stomach cramps. This isn't too uncommon for me; I have had stomach aches for years. Paul woke up on Monday puking and continued to puke all day. I took the kids into the doctor worried that Caleb might be suffering from an ear infection or something. Tuesday morning Caleb broke out in spots all over his abdomen, back, neck, and scalp. I thought it might be an allergic reaction to watermelon I had given him the day before. After talking to my mom she suggested Chicken Pox or Measles because he had a fever a couple days prior. At this point my stomach ache had eased and Caleb was acting normal, he just had spots. However, Paul continued to puke and not be able to keep anything down. His diarrhea had become pretty bad. All I did the entire day was laundry, carpet cleaning, diaper changes, and lots of hugs.


I was extremely worried for Paul whose little body was going through such a struggle. He just laid and cried all day. He cried that his stomach hurt. What worried me was the way he was crying. It wasn't a normal sad cry it was a heavy breathing cry and then he'd hold his breath and hold his stomach. He was so weak. It got to the point that he was having a hard time holding his head up. His little body was limp when I'd pick him up. He wasn't eating. A lot more liquid was coming out than was going in. He had lost control over his bowels. He'd lay on the couch and his eyes would roll back and he'd fall asleep for ten minutes and wake up crying, and a few minutes later he'd fall back asleep again. This fifteen minute cycle lasted a day and a half. On Wednesday morning I tried to get Paul to eat since he hadn't eaten anything since Sunday. Paul was continuing to downward spiral though. I called the doctor, who said to bring him in. One of the things I really hate is going to the doctor and paying them to tell me what I already know (It's a virus. Go home and sip liquids.) like they did when I took the kids in on Monday, but I didn't know what else to do. I was so helpless to the situation. I was scared and I just needed someone to tell me he was going to be okay.

After assessing Paul, and discovering that he had lost 2 pounds in 2 days (water loss) they sent us to the ER. The IV insertion was a joy with a hungry and tired Caleb, and a very scared, sick Paul. They had to do the IV three times because he was so dehydrated. It was frustrating to be so helpless. I broke down holding my two crying babies, who both needed me. At that point I didn't feel like I was strong enough for them. My saving grace, Pat, was finally able to join me just as I got both of them to sleep in our little ER room.

The hospital moved Paul into a room for the night, which turned into two nights. His O2 and potassium levels were really low. So they did blood tests every four hours and stool samples trying to get his levels higher and figure out what was causing his sickness. Thursday morning in the hospital Paul had gotten his color back, his fingers had puffed up, his eyes weren't sunken, and he started to eat. However, his potassium continued to drop. I guess low potassium can cause heart trouble and seizures. Friday morning Paul was so irritated by the IV that he started to throw tantrums. It was good that he had some energy back, but he was getting hard to reason with. On Friday test results came back positive for Salmonella.

What is Salmonella?
Salmonellosis is an infection with bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

How do people catch Salmonella?
Salmonella live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals, including birds. Salmonella are usually transmitted to humans by eating foods contaminated with animal feces. Contaminated foods usually look and smell normal. Contaminated foods are often of animal origin, such as beef, poultry, milk, or eggs, but any food, including vegetables, may become contaminated. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.
cdc.gov

The good things is that the bacteria can be killed easily. So after the test came back positive I racked my brain on what we had been doing 12 to 72 hours before Monday morning. We went to a party and ate Wendy's on Friday, went to Scout Show on Saturday (at a livestock pavilion with thousands of people), and went to church on Sunday. So there are several possibilities on where he picked it up. The bad thing about Salmonella is that it can live on objects like toys for months. We have been sanitizing our house like crazy. You'll be able to eat off my floor when I'm done. I do not want a relapse.

So we are home now where Paul can be a normal kid and play. He had just about enough of that hospital room. Paul is doing great. We are trying to get him to drink and eat, which with Paul as most people know, is a struggle even when he's feeling fine. He should no longer be contagious, but we're going to stay away for a few more days just to be safe. I am so glad Paul is okay and returning to his spunky self. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

Caleb's spots cleared up, and we still don't know what caused it. Caleb is starting to crawl! He's only 6 1/2 months! Ahh the baby proofing is already starting. I was hoping Caleb would take his time, but it's fun to see him explore too.