ER and R&R

Yesterday morning we woke up after a TERRIBLE night (one in which you pray for it to be over so you can just be awake for real) where neither of us (Em or I, Eric was already out of the bedroom) got any rest at all really. She was still burning up; and, although her fever wasn't that high, she was not really drinking or eating (even blueberries!), whining constantly like a siren, and had a blank stare alternating with this look of torture directed at me, like "Mommy, DO something!" It was terrible and certainly not my normal ball of fire. So, after fighting her to get her meds down and then having her gag on my boob and vomit all over us, I decided to take her in to the ER (I had planned on taking her this morning to the doctor, but it couldn't wait). For once my mommy instinct was correct!

Turns out she has a bulging ear drum from otitis media (ear infection) and an upper respiratory infection on top of teething. Whee! Good times for all three of us, let me tell you. My poor poor baby girl! After filling her prescription and picking up more motrin and tylenol, with some pedialyte pops, we headed home. She was listless with a 102.3 fever. It was just awful seeing my baby like that. We got her meds in with minimal difficulty (too ill to fight) and then gave her a cool bath. We dressed her and I nursed her and she was out! The monkey was so miserable, she was in and out all afternoon, but at least she was nursing. I was able to get a couple bites of food in for dinner but she was so tired she was in bed by 6:30 pm.

The doctor reassured us we were doing everything all the right things that he would have recommended. He said she should start feeling better within 24-48 hrs once antibiotics got onboard. Keep up with the pain control around the clock during that time. My wonderful husband, knowing we were in for another horrible night (or 2) bought me a recliner so I could sleep and keep her up at an angle. Worked like a charm and her and I both slept much much better. We took 2 great naps today in the bed, too! Which were desperately needed by both, let me tell you. I was starting to run on empty. She was mostly herself today, and although she still feels crappy, it was so good to see the spark in her eyes, her cute little head turns, and dancing! We really missed the happy girl. Her "voice" is gone from the coughing though and she can't even whine right, sounds all gravelly and growly. Actually kind of cute!

After 3.5 days, I finally got a shower, which felt like heaven. I am taking a break from studying and will hit it hard again tomorrow. We never even went outside, in fact, we both were in pj's all day today. Just needed a day to recoup and reconnect, to rest and relax (as much as is possible with an almost-14 month old). Here's hoping for the upswing. Good lord, this weekend has been crazy. Talk about survival mode!

Update: My BFF had her baby - a boy - on Saturday due to wonky labwork. He is in the NICU, but doing better as of this afternoon. She is actually going to hold him for the first (!!!) time this evening. So, on top of dealing with my own issues, I have been going through an emotional upheaval with her, trying as best I can to support her from afar (and hating that my arms can't reach all the way to WI cause I just desperately wanted to hug her) and thinking of what I could do to help. Because I just feel I need to. I have shed more tears this weekend, it is not even funny. I am happy that I have been able to provide some good breastfeeding/pumping info making it all the more clear to me I am on the right path.

Well, I am going to veg for another 30 mins or so before I hit the hay. I am feeling great after getting some sleep today and showering. Plus, I am convinced that the MonaVie is helping. Throughout all of this, Eric has not even had a migraine. Hmmm... we will see.