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Our baby boy, who still hasn't reached his due date, is in the hospital with RSV. Beverly took him in yesterday afternoon. It's a good thing too -- he's gotten worse. They have been suctioning out a lot of fluid out of his lungs.
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I am so sorry. He will be in my prayers, as will your entire family. I know all too well what you are going through (although Aerin had viral pneumonia, not RSV). If you need anything or just want to talk to someone who has gone through what you are going through, call anytime day or night. beverly has my numbers.
I know it's terrifying, but he will pull through. Aerin did and Xerxes has a lot more in the plus column than she did - he's much bigger and he doesn't have any lung scarring. Plus, he's getting lots of good immunities from beverly's breast milk. They'll give him all the respiratory support he needs and he'll lick this bug.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Both of my daughters had RSV. I'm sorry. I'm glad that he's getting the help he needs to get better now though! Hang in there!
Posts: 697 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I hope everything turns out well. ((mph)) ((beverly)) and ((xerxes)). Let us know how he's doing.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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I am home from the hospital, for now. I don't like being away from X, but I have things here I need to be doing, and kids who need to see that they still have a Mom.
X has an IV, blood-gas monitors, and a CPAP machine. He may remain like this for days. If he gets worse, they will put him on a ventillator. I am not able to hold him and he is not able to handle digesting my milk ATM. Too much energy involved in the digestion process. (Though I'm not sure I'm comfortable with their analysis of the situation--for now I defer to their judgement.)
He is so frail and weak and tired. Breathing is such hard work for him in spite of the breathing treatments and suction. You can see it in the way his chest and abdomen move when he breathes. You can see it in the way his heartrate is too high and his breathing too fast.
Thank you for your care, concern and prayers. I am confident he will pull through this, but in the meantime, we are all just hanging on.
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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beverly, it's standard for them to stop feedings in cases like X's. Aerin didn't eat until they took her off the vent. When they need that level of respiratory support, digestion is too much for their little bodies. You can see it in their stats if they get fed too soon - they drop dramatically. I'm guessing they'll probably start with small amounts through a feeding tube when he's more stable.
I'm glad to hear that he's not intubated, but don't be upset if he does end up needing to be. He'll probably go along as he is for about a week and then, one day, decide to get better. That's how it happened with Aerin and the nurses told me that that's pretty much how it goes with all of them.
Again, please don't hesitate to call me if there's anything you want to ask about or if you just want to talk.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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mph and beverly, your family, and especially Baby Xerxes, are in my thoughts. I hope things get better as soon as possible. I wish I could say more, but I have had no experience in something like this. All I can give you is my hope.
Posts: 822 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Mrs. M is exactly right, beverly. It was the same with Nathan -- I couldn't feed him, either -- it was just too much for his 3 week old body to handle.
When they started minimal feedings through a nose tube, they used my breastmilk, though. I'd like to offer my ears, if you need them, too. Drop me an e-mail, I'll send you the number.
*hugs and prayers for all of the family*
Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I'm so sorry. I still remember when Daniel was admitted to the hospital for pneunomia at three weeks old. Worse feeling of my life was walking into that hospital room and seeing my precious baby lying there with an IV in his tiny hand.
However, it sounds like Xerxes is getting good care and I have no doubt he'll be home soon with you guys. Best wishes and prayers headed your way.
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I wish Xerxes a quick recovery and I hope that he and your family find strength during this time. My thoughts are with you.
Posts: 1947 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Wonderful news! It's a very good sign that they're feeding him again. I am so happy and relieved - I've been checking this thread all day.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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My earlier post was premature. He's taken a downturn again, can no longer be fed, and has been drugged and put on a respirator.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Yeah, I hoped it wouldn't come to this. But it is needed. He seemed to be doing so well in all the numbers, but occasionally his heartrate would drop without warning or his breathing pattern would deteriorate in a frightening way. It was clear that he just didn't have the energy to "survive" without extra help and quick. We recognize that without the wonders of modern medicine, he wouldn't be alive at all right now.
So the ventillator is what he needs. Thanks, Mrs. M and Shan. I have no experience with this, and the nurses have been telling me the same thing. I appreciate the offers to talk about it. I may not have the time and emotional energy to take you up on it at this time (I am spread pretty thin), but it is appreciated. :sad smile:
I will at the very least make updates to this thread when I can.
Posts: 7050 | Registered: Feb 2004
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It's really bizarre to realize that were it not for modern medicine, my boy would be dead. That's never happened before.
Posts: 16551 | Registered: Feb 2003
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I truly hope and pray that your son will be all right, mph and beverly.
In my family, I was the sick one struggling to breathe, so you can be sure my thoughts are with you and little Xerxes.
Posts: 1114 | Registered: Mar 2004
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We prayed for you in church today. Except that Bob forget that Bev's name isn't really Bev, so he asked for prayers for "our friends Beverly and Porter and their baby." I'm pretty sure God can figure it out, though. Posts: 9866 | Registered: Apr 2002
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*still praying and holding bev, mph, baby and sibs close in thought*
I made a tape of my voice reading and singing and of some of the gentle music we listened to (when I was pregnant with Nathan) to play for him during those times I could not be right there. The nurses would flip the tape over for me.
More importantly, I'm sorry the little guy is not doing better. We'll keep praying. And I'll get the names right.
Posts: 22497 | Registered: Sep 2000
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Best wishes to all of you, but especially Xerxes.
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