What a week! When we got home Sunday night, Meredith was not feeling that great. We thought maybe her allergies were bothering her because her face was broken out a little.
We had no idea that things were about to get worse. When I woke her up on Monday morning, this is what I found...
Horrified, I called the Pediatrician and took her in as soon as they opened. We usually see Dr. Butler, but she was on vacation. So, we saw her partner Dr. Emezie. She took some cultures from her face, and told me to apply warm soaks to her face. She also gave me a 4 prescriptions to have filled. An antibiotic, a steroid, Atarax for itching, and Zofran for nausea. When we got home, I gave her some Motrin for her fever and Atarax to try and stop the itching. I asked her to eat something so I could give her the antibiotic. She ate about two bites and then proceeded to throw everything up, including the medications. After checking her temperature and finding that it was 103 I called the Pediatrician. They asked me to bring her back in. When we arrived they told me the only way to get her fever down at this point was to put an IV in and give her IV fluids and antibiotics.
She was so miserable, and I felt so helpless. Grandaddy came by and sat with us for a few minutes. By the time we left, we had been there for about 5 hours. We headed home, and Granmommy stayed with her on Tuesday so that I could work. On Wednesday morning, we went back to see Dr. Emezie. She had Meredith lay down so she could soak her skin.
She did very well, and Dr. Emezie informed me that the test results had not come back yet. She told me they would call when they had the results. Unfortunately, after we returned home Meredith was sick again and her fever went back up. She still didn't want to eat or drink and she wanted to just lay around. I called Dr. Emezie to let her know what was going on, and the nurse asked me to bring her back in. It was 5pm when we got there. Dr. Emezie decided it would be best to admit her to the hospital so she could get IV fluids and antibiotics continuously. She was admitted by 6pm. Unfortunately, it took them 12 sticks to get an IV in. They did get one in after about the 6th try, but after about 30 minutes she was crying and complaining of it hurting so bad. I noticed her arm swellling. When the nurse came in and took the tape off she said it was infiltrated. That basically means that the IV was not in a vein and it was just letting the fluids and antibiotics out into her arm. It was the size of a baseball by the time they took it out. This picture is about two hours after they took it out. The swelling had gone down quite a bit.
After that they proceeded to stick her 6 more times before finally getting the IV in. They also took blood and another culture. She was such a brave little girl, and I was amazed at how well she did. She was finally able to go to sleep around midnight after they got the IV in.
The next day Dr. Emezie informed me that she had a staph infection. She said that they didn't know exactly what strain it was yet and that it would take another day to get those results back. She also said the blood culture had not come back and that would tell us if the staph infection was in her blood. By the end of the day, I was informed that she also had a strep infection in the sores on her face as well. I had never heard of such a thing.
We had quite a few visitors, and she got lots of surprises. She had balloons, flowers, coloring books, crayons and much more. She was so excited about the balloons and goodies. Everytime someone working at the hospital came in and made a comment about all of her balloons and goodies she would tell them, "These things are from all my friends and family...they are sending me their love." She also told several nurses, "My church is praying for me." She was so good, but she really wanted to go home.
This picture was taken on Thursday. Improvement from Monday. On Friday afternoon, Dr. Emezie came in and informed us that the infection had not gotten into her blood stream. We were so thankful. Meredith had finally started eating more, and Dr. Emezie asked her to drink some juice while she was in the room. Then she asked her if she wanted to go home. Meredith of course said yes, and then promised Dr. Emezie that she would eat and drink at home, and that she would let me take care of her face and skin. We only have about 4 different ointments to put on her face and eczema lotion for moisturizing. It's a chore, and Meredith does not enjoy it. Dr. Emezie let us go home at about 3pm yesterday afternoon. I think we were both thrilled to be back at our house, and I know we both rested a lot better last night.
That awful chair in this picture...that's what I slept in for two nights. Not fun! Why in the world, they can't come up with something better for exhausted and worried parents...I have no idea.
Meredith is doing so much better today, and I am so thankful. We will see Dr. Emezie on Monday morning. She will check her out and let me know when Meredith can return to daycare. She sure does miss her friends.
This has been one scary, scary adventure for us. I am so thankful for my wonderful family who was there to help me, especially when Creig was out of town. I am also thankful for our church family and our friends who have prayed for us and offered their help and support. And, Meredith says thank you to everyone who sent her balloons, flowers, stuffed animals, and special surprises. She loves them all, and is still playing with her balloons.
God is so good!
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