that there's going to be a long road ahead of us.
Thanks SO much, everyone, for all your well wishes. I read each and every one of those twice. It really makes my day to hear from you guys!

My doctor says that it was bronchiolitis. He also says that Connor has to be on a preventative steroid until cold/flu season is over in April. So...this means more nebulizers if he gets sick and the steroid is given in nebulizer form too. He's going to be spoiled with all this TV watching and eating! (It's the only way I can get him to sit still and not push the nebulizer away.)
We have 13 sessions of meds a DAY between Connor and our dog. (She has seizures and chews on her paws.) We had to make a medication list just to keep it all straight.

The doctor said that he has a virus that is a "cousin" of RSV and that I have to be careful not to put him with other kids that have colds, etc.
SO...I'm going going to be ultra scared if a child even sneezes next to Connor.

I just joined a gym and now I don't even want to bring him to the nursery center for fear he might pick up a cold and it might make him sick again. I'm very thankful I'm a SAHM though.

Overall, we're tired. We have *awesome* neighbors who are bringing us food and snacks, so we are SO very thankful.

I have good cries and bad cries...I'm just thankful my boy is ok.
Thanks again everyone...your words mean a lot!!

By Kate on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 02:55 pm:

So glad he's doing okay, Heidi. My DD spent two days in the ER and it was gut wrenching. I understand your good and bad cries. I agree with your decision to avoid the nursery at the gym. You have many years ahead of you to work out and Connor comes first. Take care, all of you.

By Cat on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:00 pm:

{{{{{Heidi and Connor}}}}} I'm so glad you guys are home and he's going to be okay. It's so scary when our little ones (and not so little!) are sick and hurting. Hm, wonder if Connor would wear a surgical mask??? lol Jk, of course. More hugs and welcome home.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:05 pm:

{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}
I am so glad that you are all home. Rylee had to use the same steroid that Connor has to. Hers was through the nebulizer as well. I hope he gets back to be being himself again soon.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:07 pm:

That is what we used for Rylee Cat. I don't understand why he wou;dn't be able to. Rylee's ped. gave it to us.

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 03:31 pm:

Do you think he would wear one? He already has a hard time keeping a hat on. Maybe boys are different?

By Debbie on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 05:00 pm:

I am so glad you are both home. {{{hugs}}} I hope Connor is back to his old self soon. My youngest ds had lots of medical issues last year and it is so stressful! I completely agree with keeping him out of the gym nursery. I am sure it is just full of germs. I know you really enjoyed going, maybe you can figure out how to go when dh is home, so he can watch Connor.

Take care of yourself.

By Rayanne on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 05:03 pm:

I just layed her against me sitting up while she watched TV, and we put it around her head and she did ok. She did try to tske it off a couple of times, but once she got used to it, she was fine.

By Truestori on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 05:05 pm:

Heidi,

I am so glad to hear that Connor could come home. I hope he gets better soon so you can take a breath and relax. Sending many well wishes to your and your family. Take care

By Andi on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 06:15 pm:

Heidi,

So glad he is home and feeling better. I agree you are very lucky to be a SAHM, especially in this situation.

Take care of yourself.

By Colette on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 06:52 pm:

Good luck Heidi. When my dd had it, and she had it for her first 3 winters, my ped. who was an childhood asthma specialist, told me you don't have to strap the nebulizer to their head. It's easier if you just hold the mask in front of them, or under their face so the steam blows up and they breathe it in. I had many rocking chair nights with her, made tents out of a sheet, her carseat and the crib, and all I can really give for advice is to have you dh bring home takeout and a bottle of wine until this passes. I'd keep him out of the gym daycare if I were you.

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 - 08:38 pm:

Hang in there Heidi! Glad to hear you've got him home. Just take one day at a time! I understand your concern over leaving him in he nursery at the gym though. Do you have any babysitters you can use when you want to go to the gym??

By Eve on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 06:50 am:

((Heidi)) Hang in there. You are doing a great job! I'm glad he's home now. Ditto, please take care of yourself too. Vent here anytime!

By Feona on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 07:18 am:

That is really hard not to bring him around other kids. I know people who pulled their kids out of nursery school because the child was constantly ill. I get depressed if I am home too much. The four walls.... See if you can think of stuff to do with him where there aren't alot of kids.

I am so glad he is better though.

By Kolbysmom on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 09:02 am:

Kolby had premature lungs when we was born. So, he got a lot of respiratory infections for the first 2 years. I would say, probably every 8 weeks for the first year he was on the steriods that you mentioned. He did grow out of it, though.

It's so tough. Especially when you think it's something that could be prevented.

As difficult as it is, to try to give the medicine...for Kolby is it a wonder drug. I could tell a big difference within a few hours.

I hope he stays well, for the sake of your well-being. It takes a toll on you when kids are sick. Remember to eat well and try to stay rested. You don't want to be in the hospital next!

By Kernkate on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 09:54 am:

{{{Heidi}}} Glad to hear Connor is doing better. Its so hard when they are sick. I dealth with the nebulizer treatment when Brett was small he has asthma and its not easy.
Keep us posted how he is doing. Try and get some well needed and deserved rest.

By Mrsheidi on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 10:41 am:

Thanks everyone!
It's so hard because I was looking forward to going to the gym. I even signed a contract that included childcare. It's the only place I really go to relax and take care of myself.
I'm just depressed...my house is a wreck and I'm just not motivated to do anything but take care of the little guy. You can tell he's getting restless and wants to play with other kids. *HE* enjoyed it SO much!

By Nicki on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 02:37 pm:

Heidi, I'm glad you are both home, and I will continue to keep you both in my prayers. I really hope you can figure out a way to still go to the gym. It seems more than ever you need time to take care of yourself. And it is good to get out of the house, even for awhile. Is there any one who could watch him just while you attend the gym?
Sending a big hug. Hope you're both getting some rest. Bless your heart, you must feel depleted!
Nicki

By Conni on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 - 02:58 pm:

Oh Heidi I can so relate to your last post!! When Blake was younger I would drop him off at the gym daycare and try to go work out. It never failed after 2 weeks of ME getting to attend a class he would be so sick from the DAYCARE at the gym!!! arghhhh I would have to stay home and miss out of course- because thats called being a GOOD MOMMY!!! So just remember that you are doing a *great job* and you can always do a video at home or go to the gym at 5am or after your dh gets home. ;)

Forget the house, it's not going anywhere. It'll be there to clean another day.

Many prayers and (((hugs))) coming your way!

By Nicki on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 12:42 pm:

Hi Heidi. I was just wondering how you are doing today. I hope are getting caught up on some sleep.
Take care.
Sending a hug your way!

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 04:09 pm:

Thanks, Nicki...he's doing better (breathing wise) but he's still not eating as much as I'd like him to. He has a mean diaper rash (he's never had one before) so he's a little grumpy. I'm going into the doc tomorrow morning to see if he can prescribe something else bc I think the antibiotics are giving him this rash. Poor guy doesn't know what the heck is going on...he misses playing with his buddy down the street too!
This too shall pass though...he's been a trooper.
Thanks again for checking up on us! It's going to be a long road...

By Kernkate on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 10:28 am:

Glad to hear he is doing better

By Nicki on Friday, November 11, 2005 - 01:23 pm:

I hope the doctor is able to prescribe another medication. Poor little guy. Glad his breathing is better.

I imagine you both miss your trip to the park! When Lara was born (a bit early) we spent the first two weeks in the hospital because of jaundice. It was fall, and the nurses warned us about RSV. The thought of her becoming so sick and returning to the hospital was horrible. Yet when we returned home I had the worst panic attack! The thought of staying indoors all winter and not seeing other people was a bit frightening, too. It all worked out, and Lara and I spent many a day at our local Barnes and Nobles during the week! It was pretty empty and she enjoyed looking at the books and I enjoyed a cup of coffee and being out for awhile. Of course, Lara was younger than Connor, and didn't know the fun she was missing with other children. I feel for both of you!

Hope you have a good day. I'll keep you both in my thoughts.
Nicki

By Reds9298 on Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 09:01 pm:

I'm sorry I haven't checked this post in a few days! I'll be thinking of you both.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 01:54 pm:

Heidi, are you sure the diaper rash isn't yeast? Try some monistat or lotrimin cream on it. That must be miserable for the little guy! If it's yeast from the antibiotics, A) wash, wash, wash hands, so you don't spread it around, and B) can you try acidopholus supplements, or Lactinex granules? I know it's safe for babies and small children, and it will help replace the *good* bacteria that all the antibiotics destroy.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 05:58 pm:

My kids' diaper rash was usually a yeast thing. Nystatin cream always helped. When they were in daipers yet, I almost always had some around the house.

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, November 13, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

Thanks, ladies! I paid $25 for my doctor to tell me what you (Karen and Dawn) just told me!

URGH! I knew I should have asked here first! I was just hoping he would change his antibiotics. Oh well. He at least checked his breathing and answered further questions I had about Connor's future breathing issues, if he were to have any again.

THANKS so much!!

By Dawnk777 on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 12:27 am:

So, did he give you something for the yeast. It was usually if they had been on antibiotics for something, but not always. It was amazing to me how fast the Nystatin would clear things up. I hated seeing their butts looking so sore.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 11:01 am:

He just recommended Lotrimin. I haven't heard of Nystatin?

By Dawnk777 on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 11:08 am:

Lotrimin should work fine, too! Nystatin is just another anti-fungal cream.

By Jelygu on Monday, November 14, 2005 - 10:40 pm:

Heidi, I am so glad Connor is getting better. I haven't been around much lately, and I missed all this. I am so sorry that he was sick, and I'm sure you are exhausted. I will keep you both in my thoughts. Hope he continues to get well!