Yesterday I took Carmen to her pediatrician because her normally heavy, noisy breathing seemed more labored than usual. Dr. Pedreira took one look at Carmen and called 911. Carmen was taken to the hospital by ambulance and Lauren and I followed. Carmen has RSV and will be in the hospital in the pediatric ICU for at least a few days. She is getting high-flow nasal canula at 10 liters to open up her lungs. Yesterday she was working hard to breathe. Today she is still having periods of rapid breathing but seems more comfortable now.
I feel horrible because this really snuck up on us. I had no idea Carmen was so sick. I waltzed into Dr. Pedreira’s office all ready to tell him that I wanted Carmen to see an ENT for her increasing stridor (loud breathing). We met children with Tay Sachs this past weekend and none had Carmen’s noisy breathing. I guess her “normal”, noisy breathing had turned distressed but I didn’t catch it. The doctors think Carmen was exposed to RSV this past weekend while in Florida. I am hoping none of the other children at the Tay Sachs conference get sick too.
Thank you to Sarah for coming to the ER to take Lauren for the day! She had a blast! And thank you to Shar and LaToya for visiting us and for lunch. Thanks to Karen for dinner last night and today. And finally, thanks to Monica for coming to visit today! You are so much fun to talk to!
I had a whole lot to say about the Tay Sachs conference but will have to wait until I get home.
Please keep Carmen in your prayers. It really hit me yesterday that I am not ready to let her go.
