The Emergency Trip That We Always Hate Taking

Who would have thought that 2 days ago the possibility of our summer trip (tickets of which we purchased almost 6 months ago) not pushing through was looming over our head?

But the little girl was just so determined to get better, I guess she did pray hard for it (albeit silently). 

Monday night we had to rush her to the nearest hospital's ER because she was running a high fever for almost the entire day. She rarely experienced 39-ish fevers anymore so my panic button was ticked. I feared Dengue and I just wanted to clear that off my worries immediately. She initially hesitated because this particular hospital already traumatized her several times over but at that point, that was our best option and she eventually understood and conceded.

Her dad couldn't leave work early then so it was just the two of us who had to make that trip. She was crying at first, because she was so worried (her mom's daughter indeed) my recently extracted gums will bleed from carrying her. But I told her Ate Inday will carry her to the gate and then she will have to help me when we get to the hospital. Did I ever mention how lucky a mom I am? When it's just me and her, she rarely complained. Even if she is feeling at her worst, she never complains. I guess she loves me that much, she doesn't want to inconvenience me as well.

So we made it bravely to the ER. Funny, when the nurse took her temp it registered 37.1. Was it a case of ER-Phobia? I don't know. She might have been scared to her wits but she didn't show. She put up a brave face. When the nurses took samples for her blood and urine for the required lab tests she willfully let them. Cried a little after the needle pricked her tiny finger but only for a few seconds. The rest of our stay at the ER, while waiting for her dad to arrive, she just rested. I could sense she was having a hard time falling asleep though. It was as if she was listening to every conversation, dreading the news that she might need to be confined for a few days.

we were initially told it might be pneumonia and I just wanted to cry.

but after one session with the nebulizer, her lungs seemed to have cleared up.

thanks be to God. he is indeed good all the time!

In the middle of her rest, she bolted upright and announced "I'm going to be better tomorrow, Mommy! I'm going to tell the doctor I'm going to be better tomorrow! Kasi kailangan kong umuwi sa 21 eh. Gusto ko talaga makita si baby Duduy! (referring to her 2 month old cousin)."

After 3 hours we got the results back, the ER doctor did not find it worse enough to require her for admission but we were prescribed antibiotics because the indicators for a bacterial infection were above normal. Since the pharmacies nearby were close, I decided to wait out the antibiotics till the following day. I wanted to let her pedia see the results herself and have her prescribe the meds herself.

After our pedia consult, we were cleared for our vacation. We all heaved a sigh of relief. ER trips like that makes me miss my family more. Because both me and the hubby lives far from our respective immediate families, we have no one else to run to but ourselves in times of emergencies like this.

Stricken By Stomach Flu

The little miss is currently having a big bout with stomach flu. I was up at 1am yesterday monitoring her since she's been vomiting (she threw up 3x before breakfast). This morning she held on to my hand when I was bidding her goodbye. She requested that I spend a few more minutes holding her hand. She dozed off while I was lightly rubbing her back. I kissed her and immediately left after that because I knew if I was to stay longer I won't have the heart to leave her anymore. I am desperately trying to keep my focus so I won't give in to this desire to go home and personally tend to my sick little girl. I already took a day off from work yesterday to bring her to the Pedia so I really do not have that luxury to take another day off. 

Luckily our Pedia thought there's no need for any medications yet and instead told us to just keep hydrating BUT was instructed to immediately bring her to the ER if the vomiting persists. My little girl has already developed a fear of hospitals having been confined several times already before she turned two. Last year was a lot better and we were hoping we will be taking a long break from needle pricks, IV insertions and sleeping in hospital beds. Having understood already what her pedia said yesterday, she's been fighting her sickness real hard. She finally got some food in during lunch yesterday and took a few spoonfuls again for dinner last night. I was so happy she didn't throw up. This morning she was hungrier than usual. She took a bite of my peanut butter sandwich and ate almost half a cup of rice + egg for breakfast. But I guess the peanut butter didn't go well with her still sensitive tummy so she pooped immediately after breakfast. Then on my way to work, the nanny called to tell me she threw up a little bit when she woke up from her nap. Sigh.

She's been taking Glucolyte and is active but I'm really really hoping the vomiting and pooping will really stop. She's been through enough. And it breaks my heart hearing her say, "ayaw ko na. ayaw ko na" while desperately trying not to vomit.

Please pray she gets better. She's still thinking of making her dad a birthday card for his birthday this weekend.

Please be well already little girl. 

Nine!

Improvised cake and art direction c/o Daddy T

We welcomed her 9th month at the hospital. A bit sad but we're nevertheless very thankful we got a signal from her doctor to go home on the same day. We celebrated the day by cooking our favorite sopas (sakto for the rainy day) and had Maia blow her traditional monthly cake (hehe...we had to improvise). 

Current favorites - mashed squash with malunggay and The Greatest Gift of All

Aside from the 1am trip to the ER and our 4-day stay at the hospital, Maia's journey towards her 9th month was filled with so many milestones. 

She's probably itching to leave the hospital already. She never liked being confined for long.

She's now learned to climb up and down our sofa (still struggling to climb up our bed though), learned to balance herself and stand with out support for a few exciting seconds, has been eating more and more solids, and most importantly called Dah-deeee for the first time (albeit indiscriminately) at the height of a crying fit at the ER. Tibs ears were flapping with glee despite of the situation at hand. I was green with envy but couldn't stop myself from grinning.

Hospital bracelet managed to stay on her wrist for about 3 hours. Found it under the bed after that.

endless challenges

Yesterday baby Mommy is worried sick. Your fever hit 39 and she could not think how this could happen to you. After all, she was very careful of you. But Mommy has to stay strong for you. She prays hard that you overcome this challenge as you did when you were still in her womb.

She's just glad you never showed any signs of diminishing appetite. You still are ravenous when it comes to drinking your milk. and for that Mommy is very thankful.

Since yesterday afternoon, your fever has already slowed down. Now you're down to 36-37 and that is really wonderful. On our return trip to the doctor today, let us hope for the best news. We'll keep praying.