Zoe in Hospital

Another Emergency Room Visit

So far 2012 is not turning out to be as hospital-free as we hoped it would be. Ailsa had a cold all last week. We tried to keep her away from Zoe but that is difficult and as anyone with children know, it is kind of inevitable that once one child is sick, the other is sure to follow. Zoe started with fever and cough on Thursday. By Saturday she was not drinking very much and I was concerned with her colour- her nailbeds were turning blue and it was hard to tell if it was from dehydration or low oxygen. Zoe's reflux was really bad and she was choking every time she coughed. But we wanted to give Zoe some more time so we did not take her in then. It is a difficult balance with Zoe. We don't want to rush to the hospital every time she is sick but we also want to do everything we can to help her feel better faster.

Sunday morning Zoe seemed a little better but by Sunday night it was obvious that Zoe needed to go to the hospital. As we were getting ready to leave the house, Zoe had a huge vomit and wet poop which made us say, "Yes, we definitely need to go in now because she is already dehydrated."

Seizure in the Car

It was difficult to tell if Zoe was in and out of a seizure or just out of it while we were getting ready to go. Gavin loaded Zoe into the car and right away she started having a full on seizure. Gavin rode in the backseat with her and gave her the emergency medication to stop the seizure. The seizure lasted 15 minutes but did stop before we got to the hospital. At the hospital, Zoe continued to have small seizures so they decided to give her a "loading dose" of a strong seizure medication. We were nervous last night when they gave her this because the last time they loaded Zoe with this medication she ended up with aspiration pneumonia on a breathing machine in the ICU. But everyone was aware of what happened before and they watched Zoe closely. They also limited what medications and liquids went into her mouth and gave her a medication to stop her reflux/vomit.

So Far, So Good

It has been 12 hours since Zoe got the loading dose and she has not seized. Her lungs also look good on xray. I called the nurse this morning and she said that Zoe had a rough night but is sleeping soundly now. Gavin is sleeping, Zoe is sleeping, Ailsa is sleeping...I should be sleeping. But I find it very difficult to sleep when Zoe is away from me.

A Conversation Between Sisters

On Saturday I witnessed a sweet conversation between my beautiful girls. We were all in our bed and Zoe was upset and signing, "Ailsa." I said, "Ailsa is right here Zoe, do you want to tell her something?"

Zoe: "hurt"

Me: "Ailsa, Zoe wants you to know that she is hurting right now."

Ailsa: points at her teeth

Me: "Zoe I think Ailsa is asking if your teeth hurt. She is getting two new teeth so she probably thinks your teeth hurt too."

Zoe: shakes her head "no" and again signs "hurts"

Me: "No Ailsa, it is not her teeth that hurt. I think Zoe is hurting all over from her fever."

Zoe: reaches out to grab Ailsa's hand

Ailsa: reaches out and gently pats Zoe's hand with one hand and her forehead with her other hand

Me: "Does that make you feel better Zoe? Do you want your sister to hold your hand?"

Zoe: continues to hold Ailsa's hand while signing "Ailsa"