A Sick Little Peanut

For the past week our little Punkin' has had quite the cough, but only at night. It's been horrible. Non-stop, can't catch your breath, gagging to the point of vomiting type coughing.

All week I have felt so helpless watching her, not being able to calm it for her. It literally makes my stomach twist in knots watching her go through these little boughts. Since it has been a dry cough without a fever or other symptoms our normal pediatrician wasn't overly concerned and had us try the usual - prop up her mattress, humidifier, Vicks Vapo Rub, warm bath, some homeopathic honey cough syrup and some allergy medicine just in case there was a post nasal drip irritation. Each night she has become a little worse.

Last night was the final straw. 

We had a GREAT day, went out to dinner with my Dad and his girlfriend and her kids. My little Punkin' was feeling great, her normal happy, hyper self. Then on the ride home she started in. Her cough was so bad she couldn't stop to catch her breath. Dan has been working nights all week so this was the worst he had heard her and the concern on his face showed. I knew she was only going to get worse from here since that was how the past two nights had gone. I was setting myself up for another sleepless, helpless, heart wrenching night. I couldn't do that again so we decided then and there to just detour to the ER.

Luckily as packed as it was in there with kids and crazies (being New Year's Day and all!) they saw us almost immediately. I don't think the triage nurse could bear hearing her cough in the waiting room any longer. We were whisked off to a room where we stayed for almost 5 hours through tests and LOTS of coloring. 

Coloring with Daddy

Our nurses and doctor were awesome. I can't thank them enough for how they interacted with Mads. The entire night she was in good spirits, was willing to do whatever the doctors asked and was joking around. Even when shes sick she's a happy kid, I just never thought she would be as cooperative as she was last night.

She did everything she asked to do without hesitation

Chest x-rays in a funky restraint contraption, nebulizer treatments, oxygen sensors, being poked and prodded by doctors and respiratory therapists and LOTS of waiting around in a hospital bed and not ONE two year old tantrum.

Then came the pertussis screen.....the one where they shove the little swab WAY up into your sinus' through your nose. 4 of us had to hold her down through the kicking and screaming - not that I blame her. My heart broke for her. And that was it, the only time she acted out or showed her stubborn side all night.

That was definitely the hardest part for me too. It's hard enough seeing your child sick and miserable, then to add in something that is downright uncomfortable just kills you a little inside. The doctor and nurses were right by her side after trying to make her smile and laugh, offering up more coloring books and consoling her. I should really send them a thank you card. Honestly, I could not have asked for a better ER staff last night. The compassion they had for Maddy was incredible. There were no stuffy, rushed attitudes from overworked nurses and doctors. Everyone was polite and light hearted which made our stay more bearable. And I'm sure made Maddy feel more at home with all those weird devices they kept shoving at her. 

Those red cheeks and puffy eyes make me want to cry!

So for now, we remain undiagnosed until test results come back. We were sent home with a new antibiotic (she was on one 3 weeks ago for double ear and sinus infections), a heavy duty one to start on until all her results are in. And we have a follow up appointment tomorrow with our doctor to discuss where to go from here if things don't get better within the next 72 hours.

Needless to say she still coughed All. Night. Long.

My poor monkey....

So today, it's lazy pajama day. Some homemade kettle corn, movies and lounging around relaxing. 

I have a blah coughing baby, a sleeping Daddy on the couch and by golly this Momma is TIRED!