Our Pre Hospital Visit...so to speak...

Well, Lil Is and I decided to check out the hospital early and see how we were going to like our digs. Tuesday morning I woke up and tried to cough him up. I spent all day in bed because everytime I coughed it hurt low in my abdomen. By that evening, it dawned on me that I was truly sick and I should probably take my temperature. Good thing I did, I was running 99.8 and feeling worse by every minute. I called Jeff and asked him if I should wait for it to hit 100 or go ahead and call the doctor then. He said call now, don't wait. Another good thing I did because his office was going to close in the next hour.

Jeff came home and packed me up in the car. We got there and by that time I was feeling like a truck had ran over me. Finally I said I needed to lay down. I just couldn't sit up anymore. About the same time, they called me back and I went in and crawled up on the table. The doctor came in and took one.... sound at me (as I was hacking away) and said you have to go in the hospital tonight. He checked me and baby was still all tucked away safe and sound.

Away we went to the hospital with me weeping because I didn't want to go. I just wanted to go crawl back in my own bed. I was burning up with fever and just wanted to get back in bed. The intake nurse was so sweet and gentle with me. She lead me to my room and let me choose which bed I wanted. This bed ended up being one of the only place that I visited while in the hospital. They put iv's in me immediately with the antibiotic that Dr. Erlbeck had ordered for me.

By the next morning, I was worse. The temperature was even higher. My body felt literally crushed and I couldn't hardly catch my breath with all the coughing. Dr. E came by and turned right around and while exiting said you have to see the internal medicine doctor immediately. Jeff got there just in time to escourt me down to the room. I was so ill he had to help me onto the examining table and back off. The doctor did an ultrasound on my lungs. He said they were clear (although I still wonder if he checked my bronchial tubes where I usually have my troubles) and did a quick strip test on me. He changed my iv meds from antibiotic to anti-virals.

That evening when I needed a new iv put in because I was having a reaction to the new medication they were giving me. The doctor came in fully dressed in protective gear and I thought to myself she must getting ready to deliver a baby. Then I noticed the nurses that came in to change my iv bags from medication to pain killers that they were dressed too. I still thought someone was having a baby. The next morning Jeff walks in with the same garb and told me that I was now quarantined. I never was allowed to leave my room after that. The door was kept closed at all times with the visiting nurse usually asking for help outside the room to pass her stuff. Everything that came into my room, stayed including medical equipment. All trash was put in a bag to be burned.

A couple of days later they told me that I had been diagnosed with Influenza Type A which was extremely contagious. I am at home now. I came home Saturday afternoon with orders of bedrest and explicit instructions to not be cooking or going up and down stairs or laundry, etc. Apparently, too much activity can cause problems with my heart since this virus can turn around and attack it. I still have a nasty cough laden with crispy crackly sounds. The doctor said it will take 2-3 weeks for the virus to run it's course.

To this day, I am not sure where I picked this bug up at. I know that I am more vulnerable to get sick since I am not able to take the flu shots due to my egg allergy. I know the probability that I picked up the virus that weekend before I got sick is of the greatest. So, narrowing it down I think when Jeff and I went shopping at the Graf PX is probably where I picked it up at.

I know there are probably points in this entry that are not written correctly. Please forgive me. My head is still a bit fuzzy. I do have the pics of the stroller and carseat to show you. I will have Jeff download the pictures later in the week so I can post them on here for you to see. There are some great photos. I did, however, want everyone to know that I am doing fine and so is the baby. I have a great story to tell of him and his war with the midwives. Take care all.

Stay well.
P