Yuck!!!

It has been a ROUGH week!! Last week the boys started running low grade fevers.  I took them both in to see the pediatrician on call (Their Pedi was out of town) and Gunner was diagnosed with an ear infection and Cannon’s fever we just blamed on teething.  They seemed to be doing better on Saturday and then Gunner hit a BRICK wall Sunday! He woke up with a 103 fever and he wouldn’t eat or drink anything and sounded like a seal! We went straight in to meet the Pedi On Call at the hospital and she decided he had the Croup.
(Croup is a condition that causes an inflammation of the upper airways — the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea). It often leads to a barking cough or hoarseness, especially when a child cries. Most cases of croup are caused by viruses. Those involved are usually parainfluenza virus (which accounts for most cases), adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Croup is most common — and symptoms are most severe — in children 6 months to 3 years old, but can affect older kids, too.)
He was given a steroid shot (Decadron) and his antibiotic was changed to a stronger one for his ears. 
Monday was a GREAT day! I really thought we had this thing licked! Well, Tuesday proved to be different! Lauren, Cannon and Gunner all woke up with fevers.  Off to the doc we went, once again! Avery and Hannah Noelle stayed behind with a friend of mine and Laken helped me with the other three at the doctor.  All 3 had ear infections and she told us they probably had some sort of viral illness as well.  Just to keep an eye on them and let her know if anything changed.  Wednesday we woke up to four barking seals all four with fever! We medicated them with Tylenol and Motrin as needed and thought we were doing good until about 6 pm.  Lauren started acting really, really lethargic and wouldn’t eat, drink, smile, frown, cry, anything.  Her temp was 102.6 @ 5:30 and I had given her Tylenol then.  At 6:30 I took her temp again and pulled the thermometer out at 104 and it wasn’t even beeping yet.  Matt and I decided 104 was just too high to sit around and try to fix ourselves.  We loaded up Little Lauren and took her to the hospital.  She threw up almost immediately after we arrived.  We were given the BEST care ever! After an hour or so, a Rocephin shot, a breathing treatment, some Motrin and some serious Mommy loving, we headed home.  That night was NO FUN!!! I was up constantly check temps, checking on who was coughing, etc.  We had already scheduled Avery an appointment for 8 am the following morning because she hadn’t been seen yet.  I decided it would be best to take Avery and Lauren in that morning.  Dr. Gina walked in our room, Avery coughed, Lauren coughed and she said the magic words, Momma, their getting admitted to the hospital.  Their temps were just too high, they sounded like a bunch of barking seals and they were just PITIFUL! By 4pm, Cannon was on his way to the hospital to see Dr. Gina, as well.  She took one look at him and said, he’s staying with you, Momma! So there we were, Me, Matt, Cannon, Lauren and Avery! Of course we had tons of help from Andrea, Laken, Bruce, Bobby, Phillip, Alexa, Taris, Mrs. Brenda, Kristy and Stephen! The hospital staff was AWESOME!!!! Thanks so much girls!!! After some Motrin, IV fluids, IV antibiotics, IV steroids and lots and lots of breathing treatments they started showing improvement! By Friday night we were ready to go home!! They’re showing a lot of improvements, even more so now that they’re in their own beds, etc.  We’re still on lots of meds and still not back to 100%, but we’re getting there. 
Their actual diagnosis was Adenovirus that caused Febrile respiratory disease, which is an infection of the respiratory tract that includes a fever.  It is the most common result of adenoviral infection in children. The illness often appears flu-like and can include symptoms of pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx, or sore throat), rhinitis (inflammation of nasal membranes, or a congested, runny nose), cough, and swollen lymph nodes (glands). Sometimes the respiratory infection leads to acute otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. Adenovirus often affects the lower respiratory tract as well, causing bronchiolitis, croup, or viral pneumonia, which is less common but can cause serious illness in infants. Adenovirus can also produce a dry, harsh cough that can resemble whooping cough (pertussis).

On a good note, I took LOTS of pictures! Can I get outta here, PLEASE ~ Lauren Leave me alone, I’m Chillin ~ CannonI’m still gonna be bad, even behind bars! ~ Avery
This was my bed!  
And, of course, we brought the trusty Sound Machine!Can you imagine not knowing us and walking by the door and seeing this?  I can only imagine how many times, Geez, look at that room was said as people walked past! Cannon in his Big Boy Boxers!
How stinkin’ cute!! LaurenLaken and Avery  Can-ManA VERY tired daddy!  A Very tired Cannon! A steroid-wild-child, Avery! Lauren and Pae-Pae! And five minutes later! Laken trying to get Avery to sleep!Cannon chuggin his milk!  Look at the poor bruise on her arm!What? We’re going home? YAY!!!