Sunday Night Update

The initial report based on the interpretation of the chest x-rays is that Brett a spot on his lungs that looks like a pneumonia.  He is being treated with two IV antibiotics now, and his mood is much improved . The great thing is that he is physically able to sit up and stand up, which really helps keep the infection from settling in further. 

His blood cultures are negative for bacteria growth as of now, so hopefully we'll know more about those results in the morning. He also had a nasal swab taken last night to run a viral panel. As usual, until the viral panel is proven to be negative, we are on contact precautions and droplet precautions. That means the yellow gowns and the masks all the time. Yuck. His oxygen was increased to a half liter per minute overnight because he was working hard to breathe while sleeping.

His cough has increased in frequency and intensity. Lots of raspy, wet coughs. But they tell me that is good - that he is coughing the congestion up and moving it around. He breathes a lot better in an upright position, so whenever he's not sleeping I have him sitting up or standing in his exersaucer.

The good news is that the hospital has lifted the restrictions on children under 12 visiting! So Brett's brothers will be able to come up and hang out in his room. Although I certainly understand the need for children to stay away in the wintertime - and agree with it for the sake of my own sick child - it was one of the most difficult issues we had during each hospitalization since October. Another tidbit of info - Brett and Gantt are 13 months old today! I am all prepared for the marathon hospital stay, and Rob is prepared for the marathon home-alone-with-the-kids marathon. Our babysitter will still be working most days, though, so that will help him out some.  

We have a trip planned for the weekend to celebrate Mark's birthday (May 19), and it looks like Brett and I may not be able to go. Unfortunately, this has become a way of life for us, and we've got sort of a system for it.  And of course we are thankful that Brett does have time he can spend at home. I know a lot of families whose children are suffering with illness and have to be in the hospital for a lot longer time than we do. I hope this will turn out to be our regular 7-10 day stay.