Kaylynn obviously didn't get any better on Friday so we took her to Dr. Campbell on Saturday morning (for a previously scheduled well check). Dr. Campbell's concern wasn't so much her 2 year old milestones and immunizations, but rather her current condition. As I mentioned before, KK was having drainage from her ears (which is a good thing) but I'm not sure anyone can really imagine the amount of fluid coming out of her ears and the variety of colors the fluid was. I "soaked up" the fluid about a dozen times on Thursday and Ty did the same on Friday. It would dry up overnight and so I had to clean them out in the morning because her ears were essentially sealed shut. Then there was her nose. Her poor little nose...and face at that. It is so chapped that when I try to wipe the dried snot off her face, her face starts to bleed. So I just have to let that be which is hard because I hate snot. Like HATE. I've been using massive amounts of vaseline. Of course her cough has turned into a wheeze and she still has a slight fever. All signs point to RSV which is basically a respiratory infection. The treatment goes as follows:
- Xoponex ("rescue" breathing treatment) - every 4 hours until she stops coughing, and then 3 times a day for an entire week thereafter.
- Pulmicort (maintenance breathing treatment) - once a day which is what we already do.
- Motrin - every 6 hours
- Ciprodex (antibiotic/steroid ear drop) - 3 drops in each ear twice a day until the bottle is gone (about a week)
- Zithromax (oral antibiotic) - Start on Monday if the drainage in the ears hasn't stopped.
I'm hoping by Monday she will start to regain some energy and her appetite. She really hasn't eaten anything since Wednesday. I try to feed her but she starts coughing and then throws it all up (I'm guessing because she is gagging on the phlegm). She did ask for a pretzel today so I drove to the mall to get her a soft pretzel.
Here is a picture from Thursday.
I've tried to make her comfy areas to lay on the couch or on the floor with blankets and pillows but she prefers laying on the wood floors. She will get up, take a few steps and then collapse. It's pretty much the saddest thing ever. As I'm typing this right now, she's laying in the hallway taking a nap. She asked for a blanket and pillow and then took them in the hallway, laid down and fell asleep. "Bedtime" is in 45 minutes but I don't have the heart to wake her up to try to feed her, bathe her or put her in her crib.
The one thing that keeps her calm is a Dora. We've been watching Dora nonstop for the past 4 days. Needless to say, I'm BEYOND Dora'd out! We let her bring her iPod to the doctor's office so that she wouldn't scream. She even insists on wearing the Dora bracelet that Aunty Val got for her. This thing hasn't left her wrist since Wednesday. She's wearing it in both pictures below.
Dr. Campbell said that Kaylynn will probably peak today or tomorrow and should be on the mend. It can last 5-8 days she said. As long as she is fever free for 24 hours, she is not contagious, so I'm hoping we will be good to go for Monday.
On a different note, here are the stats they took for her 2 year appointment:
23 pounds (3%...yes THREE PERCENT)
32 1/4 inches (25%)
Dr. Campbell was a little concerned about her weight (she lost 7 ounces since Wednesday) and wasn't sure if it was because she was sick or not, so she requested we come back in next week to weigh her again and to make sure her wheezing is getting better.
As far as her speech, or lack thereof, Dr. C said that she wants to wait until Kaylynn is 27 months before she worries. She anticipates that KK will pick it up and be talking sentences in the next 3 months. It was nice hearing some positive feedback because lately all we've been hearing is negative stuff about her lack of speech.
Our plans with Aunt Kali had to be placed on hold, and so did her 2 year pictures. Instead, I've begun operation disinfect on our household. By the end of the weekend you won't be able to spot a germ anywhere in my house. If nothing else, KK at least forced me to do some spring cleaning!
I'll keep everyone updated, but I'm sure she'll be just fine. She always ends up being fine, she just enjoys being dramatic and has since she was inside of me!
All of this is building KK's immune system for the future. Hopeflly she won't get sick when older. Thats's what I tell myself about Gemma.
ReplyDeleteWith the speech thing you have to keep in mind that KK has been sick alot. She can't be practicing her talking when she feels lousy. It will come soon. So what it she doesn't have sentences, she can still commmunicate to you what she wants.
Feel better Kaylynn!!!
Poor thing! I hope she feels better soon. Remember that if she hasn't been hearing things correctly (with ear problems), she won't be saying things correctly or developing speech the way you'd expect/want. Plus she was premature, so always keep that in mind too. Try Aquaphor for her chapped face. Kat introduced me to that and it does wonders. Sidenote: I can't believe Fletcher weighs more than her! No wonder he's done a number on my left wrist...all that dead weight!
ReplyDeleteoh no! poor kk! i've been hearing a lot about this RSV going around from a lot of my friends who have little ones. it does sound really shitty. good job, auntie val for helping kk feel a little better! seing your little one sick is the worst, but i can relate to kk wanting to lay on the floor when i feel that bad. so glad she's feeling better!
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