RSV for Robbie

Fortunately, I haven't had to write a hospital update in a while. We're pretty sure he got sick with both a stomach bug and RSV over the holidays. These last 10 days have involved vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, round the clock breathing treatments, difficulty breathing and eventually a trip to the ER. After his 4 am breathing treatment on Friday morning, Robbie couldn't stop coughing and was gasping for breath. We were sent home with a Pulse Oximeter after his June/July hospital stay so we checked his O2 levels, which were dropping quickly (he wasn't getting enough oxygen in his blood). The drive to the ER was a scary one. After being on oxygen for more than 24 hours, a chest xray and several suctions, Robbie was diagnosed with bronchiolitis. Late Saturday morning, the Doctor started weening him off the oxygen and finally cleared him to go home. All in all, he was at Children's for a day and a half.

I didn't even know what RSV was until after Robbie was born. It's a virus that infects the lungs and you can get it multiple times. Because it's a virus, all you can do is treat the symptoms. For a baby who was born prematurely and with an abnormal airway, like Robbie, it can be very serious. This is the second time that Robbie tested positive for RSV in the last few months. I've been told that the first time is usually the worst, not the case for Robbie. The first time was in October and it was just a cough and running nose. I was really impressed with how well he handled it. This time, however...wow. Scary. Robbie gets monthly Synagis injections of antibodies to help him fight the virus, if he were to get it. We're so thankful that our insurance approved these shots. I can't imagine what this time might have been like without them. So, here we are 3 months into the RSV season. Only 3 more months to go. Come on summer, we're really looking forward to seeing you this year!

Robbie's still recovering, the symptoms can linger for weeks but he is doing so much better! Hope this kiddo begins to feel better soon!