Sunday, May 24, 2009
Olivia and Cole - 5 months old!
Well we're 2 days into being a completely healthy family! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it stays this way!!! Mom and Olivia have clean bills of health after having been through so much. Olivia is a brand new baby. She's smiling and laughing all of the time! Thank goodness!! Yesterday, she ate cereal for the first time! She and Cole LOVE LOVE their Barley cereal. They are quite the characters, those two, and they are constantly looking at each other!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Crazy diseases and illnesses LEAVE MY FAMILY for good!!
So every time I call our pediatrician's office or take Olivia in, I swear they must think I'm half crazy or at least have munchhousers syndrome or something. I even mentioned this to Dr. Antone this week and felt pretty good about his response!! He confirmed it.....I'm one of the parents that brings my kids in when they are ACTUALLY sick. PHEW, what a relief that was to hear considering I'm calling the office and the on-call doctor ALL OF THE TIME! Poor Dr. Antone talked to me at 6 p.m. on Sunday while driving home from his sister's house and at 3 a.m. Monday morning while trying to get some sleep in between feeding his new baby. Then, guess what, the poor guy had to see Olivia and I just 6 hours later at his office, all for a good reason.
Our baby girl has been going through a lot lately. Let me give you a time line:
March 2nd - saw the Gastro dr for the 1st time
March 6th - had an Upper GI
March 12th - seen at the peds and by a surgeon for a lump the size of a prune on her neck.
March 16th - hospitalized for 4 days for the lump and a WBC count of 31. That lump turned out to be Staph Aureus. She had to be on IV antibiotics, then 2 1/2 weeks of oral antibiotics and she saw the Infectious Disease doctor in early April. Olivia was healthy for about a week until...
Spring Break - mid April - saw the ped for her 4 month check up, went to the opthamologist as recommended by the Infectious Disease dr, and saw the neurologist for cognitive and motor delays. Immediately upon getting her shots, Olivia developed a fever and cold/respiratory symptoms which
we were told was a virus.
3rd week in April - had an EEG to rule out infantile seizures, still had cold symptoms and a low grade fever.
The next few weeks and into May - Olivia had a developmental assessment done by EarlyOn and she had an MRI and blood work done (ordered by the neurologist). Throughout all of this, she continued to run fever and it would get up to 102 degrees at night. We saw the dr's (both our ped, in the ER and the after-hour clinic dr's) at least 6 times and eventually Olivia had 2 chest X-rays, received 2 antibiotic shots, and was diagnosed with pneumonia which needed a round of Amoxicillan. Our peds office was still convinced it was all viral since she had clear congestion, a hoarse voice, etc.
May 13th - Olivia woke up from a nap with a 105 degree fever. WOW...can you say...THAT FREAKED ME OUT. I took her into the after-hours clinic and she was diagnosed with an ear infection and was given an antibiotic shot and a RX for Omnicef. We saw the ped the next day who also gave her drops for conjunctivitis. The fever continued, never really going under 101 degrees. Eventually not even Tylenol was breaking it which brings me to Sunday night.
May 17th - On Sunday, Olivia was somewhat lethargic, not eating well, running fever in the evening, and her stomach was extremely bloated. Like I said above, I called Dr. Antone twice and eventually ended up giving her Motrin at 3 a.m. - a one time dose since it's not really recommended in kids under 6 months. We went to the office in the morning and Olivia had a 103.8 degree fever and a WBC of 29. Dr. Antone sent us to Beaumont for a blood culture, CBC and a urine culture. The CBC came back at 24. Dr. Antone then gave Olivia another shot of antibiotics and a RX for Bactrim for a suspected bladder infection and home we went. Later that night, she continued to run fever and it wasn't breaking. She was admitted to Beaumont where she stayed for 2 days on the peds floor.
Well, low and behold, our ped was right. Olivia had a viral infection - well 2 actually and she also had C-diff (an infection of the colon) which you get from antibiotic use. Poor thing had been sick for over a month....2 months if you count the Staph infection. The only treatment required now is daily use of PROBIOTICS and lots of rest!
Olivia's doing pretty well now that she's home!! Hopefully our bout of weird illnesses is over. According to Dr. Antone, she should be almost completely better within a week. I think she's gonna beat his prediction!! LOL!
We still have lots of upcoming appointments (ENT, geneticist, gastro dr, neurologist,and ped for 6 month check up), but we'll take them a day at a time. For now, we have 2 weeks of appointment free living and I am looking forward to that more than anything!!
Oh, I just wanted to add one more thing!!! Even through all of these crazy illnesses, our baby girl has gained almost 2 lbs in 2 months. She was 10 lbs 13 oz last Monday at the peds! GOOOOO Olivia!
Our baby girl has been going through a lot lately. Let me give you a time line:
March 2nd - saw the Gastro dr for the 1st time
March 6th - had an Upper GI
March 12th - seen at the peds and by a surgeon for a lump the size of a prune on her neck.
March 16th - hospitalized for 4 days for the lump and a WBC count of 31. That lump turned out to be Staph Aureus. She had to be on IV antibiotics, then 2 1/2 weeks of oral antibiotics and she saw the Infectious Disease doctor in early April. Olivia was healthy for about a week until...
Spring Break - mid April - saw the ped for her 4 month check up, went to the opthamologist as recommended by the Infectious Disease dr, and saw the neurologist for cognitive and motor delays. Immediately upon getting her shots, Olivia developed a fever and cold/respiratory symptoms which
we were told was a virus.
3rd week in April - had an EEG to rule out infantile seizures, still had cold symptoms and a low grade fever.
The next few weeks and into May - Olivia had a developmental assessment done by EarlyOn and she had an MRI and blood work done (ordered by the neurologist). Throughout all of this, she continued to run fever and it would get up to 102 degrees at night. We saw the dr's (both our ped, in the ER and the after-hour clinic dr's) at least 6 times and eventually Olivia had 2 chest X-rays, received 2 antibiotic shots, and was diagnosed with pneumonia which needed a round of Amoxicillan. Our peds office was still convinced it was all viral since she had clear congestion, a hoarse voice, etc.
May 13th - Olivia woke up from a nap with a 105 degree fever. WOW...can you say...THAT FREAKED ME OUT. I took her into the after-hours clinic and she was diagnosed with an ear infection and was given an antibiotic shot and a RX for Omnicef. We saw the ped the next day who also gave her drops for conjunctivitis. The fever continued, never really going under 101 degrees. Eventually not even Tylenol was breaking it which brings me to Sunday night.
May 17th - On Sunday, Olivia was somewhat lethargic, not eating well, running fever in the evening, and her stomach was extremely bloated. Like I said above, I called Dr. Antone twice and eventually ended up giving her Motrin at 3 a.m. - a one time dose since it's not really recommended in kids under 6 months. We went to the office in the morning and Olivia had a 103.8 degree fever and a WBC of 29. Dr. Antone sent us to Beaumont for a blood culture, CBC and a urine culture. The CBC came back at 24. Dr. Antone then gave Olivia another shot of antibiotics and a RX for Bactrim for a suspected bladder infection and home we went. Later that night, she continued to run fever and it wasn't breaking. She was admitted to Beaumont where she stayed for 2 days on the peds floor.
Well, low and behold, our ped was right. Olivia had a viral infection - well 2 actually and she also had C-diff (an infection of the colon) which you get from antibiotic use. Poor thing had been sick for over a month....2 months if you count the Staph infection. The only treatment required now is daily use of PROBIOTICS and lots of rest!
Olivia's doing pretty well now that she's home!! Hopefully our bout of weird illnesses is over. According to Dr. Antone, she should be almost completely better within a week. I think she's gonna beat his prediction!! LOL!
We still have lots of upcoming appointments (ENT, geneticist, gastro dr, neurologist,and ped for 6 month check up), but we'll take them a day at a time. For now, we have 2 weeks of appointment free living and I am looking forward to that more than anything!!
Oh, I just wanted to add one more thing!!! Even through all of these crazy illnesses, our baby girl has gained almost 2 lbs in 2 months. She was 10 lbs 13 oz last Monday at the peds! GOOOOO Olivia!
Monday, May 18, 2009
5 months old!!
Olivia and Cole are 5 months old already!!! Olivia has gained weight and is catching up to Cole finally. Today she weighed 10 lbs 13 oz. YIPPEE!!! Now if we could get just get her healthy. These high fevers are SCARY!!!
The babies are doing great! We have started Cole on cereal. He's doing OK for a beginner! LOL! Both babies are rolling over - back to front and smiling, laughing and cooing. They are keeping us busy!!!
Luukas is now playing T-ball and soccer. He's loving both and especially the attention he gets from us when he has a game/practice. He's getting ready to graduate from Pre-K and move on to the "real thing!"
Here is a pic of Olivia and Cole at 5 months old...
The babies are doing great! We have started Cole on cereal. He's doing OK for a beginner! LOL! Both babies are rolling over - back to front and smiling, laughing and cooing. They are keeping us busy!!!
Luukas is now playing T-ball and soccer. He's loving both and especially the attention he gets from us when he has a game/practice. He's getting ready to graduate from Pre-K and move on to the "real thing!"
Here is a pic of Olivia and Cole at 5 months old...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
What a few weeks it's been...
We've had a busy few weeks!! I'm not even sure how I've kept my head on straight between all of the doctor's appointments, Olivia and my pneumonia, and Mom's carotid artery surgery. Mom's artery was 80% blocked and she had surgery one week ago. She is doing GREAT!! She is staying with Josh and Laura for a few weeks so that she can receive all of the help she needs to recuperate. I am soooo thankful for their help and support for mom! Luckily hockey season is over and Josh's hours are more flexible. He was able to spend every day with Mom at the hospital and has just been a wonderful brother like always! Sarah also came into town for mom's surgery and returned again just TWO days later with J.J. and Ken to help mom and to attend Luukas' birthday party and the baby naming.
We had a fun-filled weekend with the party!! Our good friend's, the Passut's, drove into town from Virginia. It's been a year and a half since we've seen them, so the visit was great!! The mom's (our playgroup mom's along with my SIL and Jena and Sue's friend Kelly) enjoyed a night out on Friday night (just what I needed to downgrade my stress level) and the dad's went to the baseball game on Saturday night! Charlie and Luukas (friends since 6 months old) had a BLAST! Of course, there were the usual fights, but five seconds later they were best buds again!! It was also great to see our godson Jamie as he's gotten sooooo big since our visit to the Passut's when they lived in New Jersey. Jena, Sue, Taryn and I were tickled to have four of the five playgroup boy's together again!!
The party had its glitches, but overall everything seemed to go OK. It was pretty chilly out and we received word two hours before it started that the trains weren't going to run due to the park being muddy and flooded. George's quick thinking helped us come up with a back-up plan which included getting Darth Vador to come to the party. Luukas was very excited about this since he has really been into Star Wars lately. In the essence of not asking people to come to two events, we held the baby naming on the same day. The baby naming was very special. Our minister, Rev. Sandy Hess, led a beautiful ceremony which included my brother in law, Ken, leading the family in the Kiddush (using the cup that we used at our wedding and at Luukas' baby naming). George's grandmother and aunt also made the babies their special bonnets which came out beautifully!
Olivia Christine is named after George's sister, Shawn Christine. Her Hebrew name is Fraedal Raizel, meaning joy and rose. Her godparents are my sister and brother in law and the Passut's.
Cole Justice is named after George's brother, Chris. His Hebrew name is Binyamin David, meaning son of right hand and beloved. His godparents are my brother and sister in law and the Passut's.
Thanks to everyone who sent prayers Mom's way and also to everyone who attended Luukas' party and the baby naming! Luukas LOVED all of his presents! One of these days we'll get around to writing thank you cards!!
We had a fun-filled weekend with the party!! Our good friend's, the Passut's, drove into town from Virginia. It's been a year and a half since we've seen them, so the visit was great!! The mom's (our playgroup mom's along with my SIL and Jena and Sue's friend Kelly) enjoyed a night out on Friday night (just what I needed to downgrade my stress level) and the dad's went to the baseball game on Saturday night! Charlie and Luukas (friends since 6 months old) had a BLAST! Of course, there were the usual fights, but five seconds later they were best buds again!! It was also great to see our godson Jamie as he's gotten sooooo big since our visit to the Passut's when they lived in New Jersey. Jena, Sue, Taryn and I were tickled to have four of the five playgroup boy's together again!!
The party had its glitches, but overall everything seemed to go OK. It was pretty chilly out and we received word two hours before it started that the trains weren't going to run due to the park being muddy and flooded. George's quick thinking helped us come up with a back-up plan which included getting Darth Vador to come to the party. Luukas was very excited about this since he has really been into Star Wars lately. In the essence of not asking people to come to two events, we held the baby naming on the same day. The baby naming was very special. Our minister, Rev. Sandy Hess, led a beautiful ceremony which included my brother in law, Ken, leading the family in the Kiddush (using the cup that we used at our wedding and at Luukas' baby naming). George's grandmother and aunt also made the babies their special bonnets which came out beautifully!
Olivia Christine is named after George's sister, Shawn Christine. Her Hebrew name is Fraedal Raizel, meaning joy and rose. Her godparents are my sister and brother in law and the Passut's.
Cole Justice is named after George's brother, Chris. His Hebrew name is Binyamin David, meaning son of right hand and beloved. His godparents are my brother and sister in law and the Passut's.
Thanks to everyone who sent prayers Mom's way and also to everyone who attended Luukas' party and the baby naming! Luukas LOVED all of his presents! One of these days we'll get around to writing thank you cards!!
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