Midnight Run

Well, I can officially cross off "Midnight Run to the ER" on my Parenting Initiation List. Next is using the phrase, "I'll turn this car around....", and the ever-popular, "It's not YOU I don't trust, it's everyone ELSE." Then They'll hand me my mom jeans and mini van and I'll graduate at the top of the class.

Yesterday at approximately 6:45 pm, Wyatt threw up. Not spit up, no, this was large amounts of liquid, and with force. The first time it happened I thought maybe it was a fluke. A BIG fluke, but I was trying to be optimistic.

An hour and 7 subsequent pukes later, I was convinced. The kid was sick.

It was terrible to have to watch him, he didn't cry though, which made it worse for me for some reason. His silence was frightening, and I was home alone, Caleb wasn't answering his phone. I called the advice nurse and sat on hold for 15 very long minutes, while trying to hold him and clean up puke at the same time. After finally talking to someone, we scheduled an appointment for this morning, and was given symptoms to look out for. He slept and threw up on and off until 12:30 when we called again. It'd been almost 8 hours since he'd peed, which was the most worrisome. I again sat on hold and once again ran through his symptoms. The nurse said she'd go speak with a doctor and let me know if we needed to bring him in or not.

I waited.

And waited.

And then I looked down at the phone and realized it had died, without even a single warning beep.

After playing the game AGAIN, they told us to bring him in. They weren't sure what was wrong, he hadn't had any diarrhea and didn't have a fever, but was most definitely dehydrated. His lips were dry, the skin on his hands thin and papery. I laid on the bed with him, softly rubbing them as he slept. It didn't feel like my baby's hands.

We were at the hospital for about three hours, and as expected, spent most of that time waiting. While Wyatt was being checked in the nurse had me undress him so that she could get a few of his vitals. As I took off his diaper she once again asked when his last wet one was, and if I was sure this one was dry. I told her it was, I'd just checked it, and then not three seconds later Wyatt peed all over the table and myself.

Of course.

I don't know if I've ever been so glad to see that golden arc. SOMETHING got through! And because of it, they didn't give him an IV, something we were very grateful for. They did give him an anti-nausea pill which he did not enjoy. It had a strong minty scent, and I can only imagine what that must taste like, to go from nothing but breast milk and the occasional dose of Mylicon, to mint. I fed him after that and we waited to see how he would react to it. The doctors and nurses were quite taken with Wyatt, and had me lay in bed with him and turn off the lights.

I can't tell you how difficult it was for us to not fall asleep, which is exactly what Wyatt did. We left with a prescription for a few more pills and an appointment this morning to follow up with his pediatrician.

We got home around 4:30 and were in bed by 5. It was a loooooooong night. He seems to be feeling better today, he hasn't thrown up, but in turn has started in with what my family lovingly dubs, The Squirts. I am oddly grateful for that, since we now know it's some type of virus. I sat there last night wracking my brain as to what it could be, worrying that maybe something had happened when I was cleaning the old home yesterday, maybe I'd had some cleaner on my hands when I put in his binky, or maybe the car paint fumes...

I am so glad the worst is over. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, it was so frustrating to not be able to do anything to help. To not even be able to ask him what's wrong. It's all just a guessing game when they're so small.

I'm grateful it wasn't anything too serious, and I am very much looking forward to having my chubby fingered baby back.

Comments

[Jessie]

Sad....I am glad he is ok. The ER is not a fun place to be, and the next day after is not fun either. Hope he feels better soon.

[Kjersti]

I'm so sorry! It's so frustrating to know your baby is sick but not really know how to help. I'm glad he's doing better!

[Jessica]

Poor little man (not to mention poor little mom!). I am glad to hear he's doing better, and I hope you get some good sleep tonight.

[Sarah]

I'm so sorry! The worst thing in the world is having your kids sick and it's even worse when they are so young! Which is probably why I am always so crazy about going anywhere while my kids are infants...everyone thinks I'm nuts and I probably am! Hope you are all feeling better soon!

[Liv]

So happy to hear that in the end, everything turned out ok.

Enjoy the squirts!

[Lindsay Chang]

I am glad that it wasn't anything serious. I am so sorry that you guys had to go through that! I hope he gets better soon. Jack and I will keep him in our prayers.

[Abby]

Oh my goodness, that would have been mightily scary! Brian just told me about it late last night and I was like "DUDE. You have had ALL DAY to tell me about this and you're telling me NOW?!"

Boys.

Anyway, I hope that last night was better for you, and that you all got some rest. Sounds like Wy was pretty chill with the whole thing, but still, it would be scary. Keep us updated!

[Stacy Stevens]

I'm so sorry. I'm glad that everything is ok now.

[emily]

mom just yold me this last night!! anyways, so glad he is okay!!!! i luv u wy-man!

[Erin]

No fun whatsoever. My husband and I have always had a reasonably good time at the ER for us, we treat it like an unplanned date night with free medical supplies involved... but when baby is involved...whole different story. For shiz. I'm glad everything's looking up, I'm sure he'll be back to better very soon.

[Jenny]

Just call Chris next time...that's what everybody else in the family does. He doesn't mind...he likes his ego stroked every once in a while. I'm glad Wyatt is okay.