Frustration, need to vent

[jandksmommy]

So... I my 23 weeker is now 14 months old. She came off daytime oxygen support at 8 months but still needs it at night. Since my return to work (and the kids starting daycare) in October, they have had one illness after another! This latest bug has been so harsh, my LO is not only having to wear her oxygen 24/7, but I have had to turn it up from her regular .05 to .3 or higher just to keep her stat over 90%. The high airflow has dried out her nose and now it bleeds when she has a bad coughing spell. Her doctor says the massive mucus production from this 'bug' has irritated all her airways and caused inflammation and constriction making it hard for her to get air into her lungs. Antibiotics, rescue inhaler, steroid inhaler, mucus reduction med, ear drops to help the pain caused from having ears full of mucus... and she still isn't breathing any better. She screams and fights whenever it's time for her inhaler or when I need to suction the mucus from her nose. I know... it's all part of being a preemie's mom but I just needed to vent... I would do ANYTHING if only I could heal her lungs so she could breath normally.

 

[sunnylove]

So sorry to hear. Has she gotten tested for RSV? Could it be less to do with her lungs and more to do with getting a bad illness, like RSV?

 

[jandksmommy]

Thankfully it was not RSV. Just a nasty bug that wet right through the house. All 5 of us got it but with her CLD, it hit her the hardest.

She is on the mend now (after weeks of needing her oxygen) and is slowly getting back to her smiling giggling self. I dread the next one but I know she will have many more setbacks before her lungs can handle a cold.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Aww what a horrible time you and LO have been having. Glad to hear she's on the mend

 

[DonnaBallona]

I know how you feel, although I know it's no consolation my son has issues with his lungs too and we are constantly in the hospital needing nebulisers and oxygen.

I hope she continues to get better. stay safe XX

 

[jandksmommy]

She is getting better. Most days she is going without her oxygen now but whatever this is, it is not going away. We are still giving her the steroid inhaler twice a day and the Ventolin about 4 times a day to keep her airways from constricting. Unfortunately, she is producing so much mucus still that even with suctioning her nose a few times a day, she is still coughing and choking on it which is causing her to vomit. She has lost 1/2 lb in the last 3 weeks so I have been trying to find ways to make her food more protein and fat rich. It's a good thing she loves cheese .

 

[kirstybumx3]

not sure what to say.. didn't want to 'read and run' as they say..
huge hugs x