This one was by far the scariest point of the experience. We are sitting in the doctor's office, with the PA and nurse in emergency mode trying to get oxygen readings, check vitals, listening to her chest, calling the pediatric residents at the hospital, etc. , all while Hallie is screaming and screaming. They finally got to the point where they said that they didn't want to put her body under the stress it was going through, because they were worried it may be too much, so they gave up on getting the readings they needed. It is extremely scary to hear a doctor tell you, "its a good thing you brought her in, cause if not she may have just given up if she didn't get help." I understand they were trying to say "good work," but it really just made things real, and made the severity of it sink in, and made me extremely scared.
We were direct admitted to the Pediatric floor at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. Here we are waiting for our admittance papers to show up. About this time the nutritionist/dietitian had received her medical history, and had seen her allergies. It was quite humorous when she called me to ask what on earth she could feed this child, because I wonder that pretty much every day. I was kind of hoping that she could tell me. :) Also, this green fleece blanket was a lifesaver, we were in a rush leaving our house and forgot to grab Hallie's blanket, so it was a great stand-in until Eric could go home and get hers. It is amazing the power of a blanket.
This is the most Hallie saw of the outside world. Because all of the testing was not completed, they had her in isolation. So she could not leave the room. They even brought the x-ray machine into the room, so she didn't have to leave, to do a chest x-ray. She was going a little stir crazy by the end, and they had a oxygen monitor on her foot, so she couldn't even get out of the crib to play.
They had the oxygen tent ready to go if needs be. Luckily she didn't need oxygen at any point. The breathing treatments were enough to keep her in the green zone.
I am constantly amazed by the power of modern medicine, and the doctors and nurses who provide it. We were so blessed to have a medical staff who took such great care of us. I will forever remember the respiratory therapist who was on duty throughout the night. What an angel she was! She came in at 9 pm, 1 am, and 5 am, and each time she came in, she was just so caring and loving toward Hallie. She would hold her, snuggle her, and talk to her as she did the breathing treatments, and just made her so comfortable. She was the only one that Hallie was not afraid of. At 1 am Hallie was still awake, unable to settle down being in a new place and not feeling well, so she came in and gave Hallie her treatment, and brought her a popsicle and a snack to see if that would help her settle in for the night, which it did. I heard her come in for the 5 am treatment (Hallie had only been asleep for about 3 hours), I was laying in bed, a little worried Hallie would wake up, which she did, and not be able to fall back asleep again, unsure how I would last through more sleeplessness. But I watched the therapist with Hallie as she finished up. She laid Hallie back down, gave her her blanket, and rubbed her back until she fell back asleep. She didn't know I was watching, but it truly meant so much to me, just to know that even though I was exhausted, and felt like there was nothing else that I could give or do, that someone who could help, who had never met us previously, was so willing to serve us. Not only in a medical sense, but in a way that touched me forever. I am sure that she thought nothing of it, that it was just another night at work for her, but I will always remember those small gestures, because they truly meant the world to me. They recharged my batteries so that I could face the challenges before us. I hope that I can remember that as I have opportunities to serve, because so often it is those little things that truly mean the most.
Since being in the hospital we have been back to the doctor a couple times, for a check-up after the hospital stay and Hallie's one year well-baby visit. But its bad when the receptionists, nurses, and doctors greet all of you by name when you come in the door. That tells me we have been there far too often! :)
Anyway she is fine now, and is completely off of any breathing treatments or medication. Dr. Savage just thinks it was croup. Which basically means a virus caused her throat to swell, making hard to breathe. But Hallie is doing well and hopefully we do not see this issue again, ever.
Her ladybug birthday cake, made with allergen-free cake mix
Thank you everyone for enjoying Hallie's birthday, and first year with us. And thanks for all that you do and mean to us. We know we don't tell you enough, but we really do appreciate and love you all. We really couldn't ask for better family and friends.