BockTriplets!

Its serious, but not life-threatening. As a preemie, Daniel had some breathing problems. He was on a ventilator for a little more than a week, and needed a steroid to help his lungs develop a little faster; all routine stuff for premies these days, but it put him at a higher risk for some breathing problems later on. That would be now.

Last fall he started wheezing when pollen counts are high. Nothing too serious, but something we had to keep an eye on. We had some medications that always dealt with the worst of it. Until last night.

Two nights ago we moved the kids from their cribs onto beds. They had been crawling out for months, so it was pretty much time. Well, the first night they didn’t sleep much – it seemed like a slumber party. The next day they were all tired and cranky. They also missed most of their nap, so it was a little hard among the tantrums to tell if Daniel was having much of an issue part of the day yesterday.

The kids were also out on the front porch yesterday, about the time our lawn was mowed. Add to the pollen count that the 1 acre+ field next to our house now has 3-foot-tall grass. None of that is in Daniel’s favor.

Last night we gave him the meds that normally clear him up, but he kept going downhill. By 9:00, he had really labored breathing, felt like he had a temperature, and seemed like he was going to pass out. We took him to the emergency room.

Once there they gave him some other meds, took an x-ray, drew some blood, and admitted him. I was home by 1:30 while Lorna stayed at the hospital… I had to go take care of the other two and prep as much as I could for the next day.

This morning Anthony came down sick too – 102 degree temperature, snotty nose, etc… So add to complications from pollen count and lack of sleep a respiratory infection, and you have a recipe for disaster.

At the hospital this morning we found out that the middle of Daniel’s right lung collapsed, which is why he was having such trouble breathing and why our initial med treatment didn’t do any good. All the rapid mouth-breathing was also dehydrating him, do he’s on an IV drip of fluids. I spent the day with him (and Lorna is back there tonight), and he alternates between a tired, grumpy haze and bouncing off the walls giggling. He’s not thrilled with the hospital, but he’s doing well. They have some fun stuff to make kids exercise their lungs, including bubble wands and pinwheels… The only problem is he can’t run around because of the oxygen sensor on his foot and the IV.

Among the drama and concern though, there are some great moments. This morning when Anthony and Christopher woke up, I went into the room and Anthony started saying “Da…. DA…. DAAA!!!”, which I took as his usual “da da” greeting when he sees me. But then he said crystal clear, “DAN… EL…”. I realized, “Oh my God… he’s asking how Daniel is!”. I think that is the third time I have heard the boys refer to each other by name, definitely the first sign of concern. (when looking at pictures or videos of themselves, they point and say “Baby!”)

Do I told him, “He’s at the doctor with Mommy. He’s sick, but he’s ok and will be home soon.”. Christopher picked up Daniel’s bee blanket (one of the comfort stuffed animals he carries around), took it to the bedroom door, and started pressing it against the doorknob.

This afternoon Lorna and I videoconferenced with iChat… Even though Daniel and I were in the hospital, the boys all ate dinner together. They are used to seeing me on iChat, so they really seemed to understand where Daniel was.

I have recorded a little bit of video I’ll post if I ever get a chance to edit it down.

By the way, I cannot praise Loudoun Hospital’s facilities enough. Daniel is in a private pediatric room with plenty of room for a parent to stay – with some nicer furnishings and a nicer bathroom than your typical Marriot-type hotel. The staff is fantastic – checking on us often enough that we never want for anything, and giving Daniel great care. The only drawback is the hospital food. Today the lunch was – no kidding – Salsbury steak, peas, and mashed potatoes. There is something about that menu that seems less like reality and more like bad fiction about a hospital stay.

I’ll write more once he’s out.