Tuesday, February 16, 2010

POST-HOSPITAL

Things have been pretty good since we've been back home.  Ben's sleep meds seem to be working a little better and he's finished his antibiotics.  The only discouraging part is that at the hospital his vent settings were 8 and 12.  The night he came home I had to up them to 8 and 14.  By the weekend he was up to 9 and 16, the highest he got when he was in the hospital.  I'm not sure why he is requiring such high vent settings.  I know he isn't sick.  I worry about his little left lung.  It's tired and weak.  We see the pulmonologist on Friday, so hopefully we'll have some answers.  In the meantime, I'm crossing my fingers that he doesn't catch this nasty headcold that I've got.  I always worry about RSV...which manifests as a cold.  I hear it's reared it's ugly head locally.  I'm not sure Ben's lung could handle that right now.  I noticed tonight that he continues to have a white coating on his tongue that I just can't clean.  It's taken me a few days to realize that DUH!  It's probably yeast.  (thrush)  Heavy duty antibiotics will do that to your system.  I'll call tomorrow for some medicine...I imagine that it's really uncomfortable.  Then there is the post-antibiotic diarrhea that is reaking havoc on a daily basis.  I'm not complaining.  With gloves I can conquer anything.  It's his poor little bum that makes me sad.  It's red and sore.  I can sympathize.  I know what that feels like from past stomach bugs.  SO...even though he is mostly over his sickness, he continues to battle with post-illness issues.  But we remedy those small battles with lots of hugs and smootches.  It's the perfect medicine for a perfect little boy.

9 comments:

shirlgirl said...

Poor Benji! Uncle D had thrush on his tongue in the hospital. I can't remember what they gave him--it was a swish and swallow medication, but I know that Ben can't have anything like that. You probably have to swab his tongue with the stuff. Hope he remains healthy and that you are feeling better. Looks like it is mask time for you and washing hand, scrubbing everything you touch to keep the germs at bay. Get better soon!

Junior said...

Oh Ben, thrush sure doesn't sound like fun.
Hope the pulmo appt. goes well and you can get some answers.
Big hugs

Lacey said...

I'm just glad your still home. Hopefully you can get these lung problems figured out soon!

Eleyna Julia said...

Hi Becks, I'm glad things are slowly moving in the right direction. Good job on detecting the thrush and handling all of those blowouts. You're a champ and I love ya!

The VW's said...

Sending BIG hugs and kisses to you both! Praying that you feel better soon and that Ben doesn't catch what you have! Get to breathing better Ben.....you are AWESOME! Love and Hugs!!!

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Ben, thrush and a red butt sure does sound uncomfortable! I know that Momma is taking great care of you and doing all she can to make you comfortable. ((hugs))

Becky, I hope that the doctor can call in some thrush meds quick. That usually goes away quickly at least, in my experience. I hope that Ben is able to lower his vent settings soon and your cold doesn't affect him!

You really have to try and make it to the convention. It was AWESOME last year!

April said...

Sweet Ben is so patient through all of his challenges- and you are such a special mom to help him through it all! Hope he continues to feel better, from top to "bottom" ;)

Tara Bennett said...

Hang in there, Benny Boy (and mama)! We love you and hope you can make it through the rest of the winter cold-free! We're babying a bum rash on Chloe right now as well. I'm sure it's nothing compared to Ben's (because I've seen what his bum can produce and it far exceeds what Chloe can do!) but we do have empathy nonetheless. {{HUGS}}

Jo Jo said...

Good call on the thrush! Didn't know that. So much better than the big things that take him away from home.