Sometimes things get worse before they get better...

And that was definitely the case around here. I wrote my last post too soon. The illnesses that started on Sunday around here are not over, but I think we're turning the corner on them (I know I've said that before and I hope I don't eat my words here).

Jake continued to get worse and Wednesday ended with a trip to the ER. We thought he was dehydrated from throwing up, not eating/drinking/having diarrhea. When Miles woke up from his nap on Wednesday I went in to get him, thinking I would let Jake continue to sleep since he seemed so tired still. I opened the door and could immediately tell that someone had thrown up. Once I realized it wasn't Miles I went to Jake's crib. He was lying in there, awake, with his face in his own throw up and he showed no interest in getting up. I called Peter and he came home right away and agreed that something was going on. Their doctor's office was closed and told us to take him to the ER. They quickly ordered a bag of fluids (with no blood work, etc.) and proceeded to try for a couple of hours to find a vein. After three unsuccessful pokes with a needle, they sent him to the Dell Children's Hospital ER. Once there they first tried to hydrate with pedialyte using a medicine syringe, which he finally took. So...seven hours later he was home and in bed around midnight.

The next day was more of the same, and we called the doctor's office again but were reminded that a virus can last for up to ten days...just to avoid dehydration. We struggled to get fluids in him all day. Meanwhile, Miles seemed to be getting worse as well. He was completely restless and unhappy, not sleeping, crying so much...it was heartbreaking. Both boys had also developed a nasty cough. My mom came in town to help us out for the day/night and that was literally a life-saver. I don't know how we would have made it.

We called the nurse line that night and made an appointment for first thing in the morning at their pediatrician's office. It was another fitful night in our house and we headed in that next morning (Friday). Dr. Hudson walked in and could immediately tell that something was going on that seemed serious. We clearly said that at this point it seemed like more than a stomach virus. He ordered blood work, throat swabs, and chest xrays. Miles white blood cell count was dangerously high and Jakes was also elevated. Both boys tested positive for strep (so did I) and he thinks that was working its way into their lungs as well. After looking at the xrays he was able to quickly tell us that they also have pneumonia. Somehow the pneumonia in the lungs causes the stomach to have a bunch of air and that was making them continue to throw up. I know for sure that we also had a stomach bug because my mom left on Friday afternoon to make it home for a shower she was hosting on Saturday and she woke up with it on Saturday morning. You're welcome, Mom. Thank you for coming to help us. I feel so badly about that.

Anyways, the boys got a heavy duty antibiotic shot and are also taking one orally now. They went in this morning because Dr. Hudson wanted to check their blood again, but after seeing them he was convinced enough without blood work that they were improving. He told us that he woke at 2 am thinking about them. Tonight they finally ate a little dinner and played around a little bit. It seems to be a roller coaster but I do think they are on the mend. That is a long explanation, but I just can't believe the week we have had. These poor babies were just so sick and so unable to tell us what was hurting them. It was the hardest thing. I guess what I've learned from it is to trust my gut. We knew there was something else going on and there was. It just didn't seem like it could just be a stomach virus. We had to continue to take them in because they didn't even cover their bases at the ER. Luckily we found it and were able to start treating it quickly. Prayers that they continue to improve.