Sam's First ER visit

The past 2 weeks have been yucky in the Patterson household.  Brian was the first to get sick about 2 weeks ago.  Sam started coughing about 10 days ago and the other 2 shortly followed.  I'm crossing my fingers that I don't get sick.

These kids NEVER fall asleep mid-morning or on the couch.

  Poor Sammy had been coughing since last Wednesday and then woke up coughing so bad on Sunday we decided to take her to urgent care.  The nurse practitioner there diagnosed her with croup and double ear infections.  

She received a breathing treatment and steriods.  Her O2 was hovering around 95 so they were a little weary about sending her home.  

Looking cool on her way home from urgent care.

We decided to go ahead and get a pulse ox at home since they were a little worried at the urgent care.  Brian took all 3 kiddos to the doctor on Monday to get them checked out.  Mallory had an ear infection, Sam was told she didn't have ear infections, and Taylor just had the virus.  On Tuesday, we had been watching Sam's O2 levels which dropped down to high 80's and low 90's.  She was also lifeless and not talking or walking.  So we decided to take her to the ER.  We arrived there around noon and luckily didn't have to wait long at all.  

They monitored her O2 consistently and it did not improve with a brochodilator or nebulizer with a steroid.  They did suction on her which was horrible for her and us.  We waited outside while they did it and her screams reminded us of her infant screams.  I felt so bad for her.  They then did a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.  It was negative (thank goodness) but the x-ray techs sure got a kick out of her pajamas.

She actually burst blood vessels in her eyelids from coughing and screaming so much :(

Her O2 levels were still not stabilizing at a safe level so the doctors put her on oxygen and admitted us to the hospital for observation through the night.  The entire time we were in the ER, Sam wanted me to hold her.  She wasn't really talking or playing and just wanted to be held.  Brian went home to help put the other two to bed.  They were both sick too so I felt so bad that I couldn't be there with them.  

About 10 minutes before leaving the ER, Sam pulled out her oxygen and the nurse agreed to let her see if her levels stayed high.  Sam and I got to ride in a wheelchair up to the 5th floor of the hospital.  When we arrived, Sam was a completely different child.  She was hyper, energetic, talkative, and wanted to play. The oxygen obviously helped.  MeMe and GrandPops arrived and got to play, then Brian came back to the hospital.  Sam was the center of attention and she loved it.  

After everyone left we snuggled in bed and watched a movie.  Her oxygen stayed at a good level through the night and when the doctors rounded on Wednesday morning, they decided she could be discharged.  

Uncle Beau came to visit and brought Sammy an awesome Frozen balloon and coloring book.  The nurse came with discharge papers and Sam got excited.  She was shoving all of her stuff in the bag saying "We have to leave in 2 minutes!" then she grabbed all of her things (balloon, Cuddles, red dogs, and 2 bottles of water) and was ready to break out of there.  We were discharged at about 11 AM and she helped the nurse push the cart almost all of the way to the car.  

I'm glad she perked up and the oxygen helped.  It was so sad to see her feeling so sick.  Now, to get everyone else in the house feeling better (Oh and we bravely started potty training yesterday).