What a week! We spent the entire week at Dell Children's Hospital in Austin. I must say we were very impressed with the staff and the facility but I pray that we never have to go back and neither do any of our friends!
On Monday after visiting our Pediatrician he decided that it was best to take Bruce to the hospital to be monitored over night. They tested her for Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) but we wouldn't recieve the test results until Thursday or Friday.
When we arrived at Dell Children's we were sent to a room and my baby was hooked up to a apnea machine, an oxygen and heart rate monitor, and was given an IV. To say I was scared would be an understatement. Having my baby hooked up to all the machines and not really understand what was going on was very hard!
Most of the machines were to monitor if he stopped breathing or lost oxygen while having his coughing fits.
On Tuesday we met with the team of Doctors and they informed us the worst case scenario. They also told us that we would probably be staying a couple nights. Bruce wasn't eating and that was a concern as well as the coughing.
Lost of prayers were said for Bruce and our family and for that I am so thankful! God was in complete control. By Thursday we were all irratable and sick of Bruce being messed with but we knew we were in the best place for him!
We were also blessed that both sets of parents were able to help us out with Savannah. She did so good with them and was potty trained in the middle of the crazy! She didn't understand what was going on but did a great job of holding it together.
Now here is where my public service announcement comes in as well as my plea! We were told by many doctors there are a number of places Bruce could have contracted Whooping Cough. In adults Whooping Cough can be seen as a cold that is just persistent but doesn't effect us to much. It is extremely dangerous in infants and the elderly.
Whooping Cough is something that can be prevented. I know that we may have taken Bruce out around people a little earlier than most people but we also did it with Savannah and she was fine. Three different doctors told me that the reason they are seeing a rise in Pertussis (whooping cough) is the lack of immunizations. I am big on not telling people what to do and how to raise their children. However, I am going to stand firm to the fact that children need to be vaccinated! Watch your child cough until he turns blue, gasping for air, and nurses running in to get him oxygen and you will think twice about not vaccinating. It is a serious matter and one that I don't take lightly!
He didn't get whooping cough because I had an epidural, was induced, or didn't breastfeed! He got sick and is getting better but please take into consideration what a vaccine can do for your child! Trust me it is the worst feeling in the world to be pushed aside while your 4 week old baby is fighting to breath through coughing fits!
Let me also say that Bruce and our entire family has been treated. We are no longer contagious but Bruce will have the cough for a while. We are going to take extra precaution with him and where we go. Please don't be offended if I tell you not to touch him or hold him. He will slowly get better and will start his first round of vaccines at 2 months.
Savannah was so happy to see Brother in the car seat and coming home!
Happy Big sister!
Whooping cough will not keep us down and we will beat it! God is in control and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and concerns!
To celebrate we had a movie night!
