Adam's 1st trip to the ER

So... we just got back from the ER (as in Emergency Room) with Adam. Doctor thinks he'll be just fine, it's just a nasty virus. In case you were wondering (and I doubt you were) here is a timeline of the events of the last 24 hours (I'm really writing this more so I can remember, so I totally understand if nobody is interested in reading the oh-so-lovely details):

2 AM -- Heard Adam moving around and kinda moaning in his sleep. Went in and he wanted to be held and sang to (which is unusual since he usually just wants to go right back to sleep... or have chocolate milk). Felt that he was unusually warm and took his temp. He had a low grade fever and I gave him some infant tylenol (which he HATES) and he went back to sleep. Oh, if memory serves correct (it was 2AM!), Adam said "ear hurts". Hmm.

7 AM -- Adam woke up and felt warm. He had a fever (again) with no other symptoms. Gave him children's motrin (I think it was motrin & not tylenol). Once the motrin hit, he was acting relatively fine. I decided to take him to CVS's Minute Clinic in case it was an ear infection (the clinic is 2 minutes away and my insurance covers it -- it's only a $10 co-pay). His fever had totally broken by the time we got there. His ears looked a little red but the Nurse Practitioner thought it was just a virus. She said to bring him back in if his fever goes up to 102 or if it seems like he's feeling worse.

Well, by the time we left the clinic he was feeling 100% -- very happy and playful. Not much of an appetite but he did drink some milk. He continued to do well until 1pm when his fever returned (around 101, I think -- can't remember though). Steven gave him some tylenol and he fell asleep around 1:30.

3 PM -- Adam woke up crying after only 90 minutes of sleeping (when he usually sleeps for 3 hours at home). He felt REALLY WARM. Which was strange b/c he had only taken tylenol about 2 hours before. His fever went up & up... he tugged on his ears... we took him back to the Minute Clinic, as advised. His fever was 102.8(!!!) at this point. We forced-fed him Motrin and it took a LOOOONG time for his fever to break -- about 2 hours time (even though it did go down a little bit 30 minutes after the dose). Once his fever broke (or almost broke -- it was 99.5), he was HAPPY... especially since Grandma was here. Oh, should also mention that the NP said at the clinic if his fever rises rapidly after 4 hours of the motrin, I should call his pediatrition (sp.?) on call.

So, Adam was happy and playful from 4 till about 8 pm when his fever returned!!! It started at about 101.5... called the NP "on call" at the ped.'s office and was told to give him tylenol, which we did at 8:30 (his temp. was 102.5 at this point). Was told the tylenol should "kick" in after 20-30 minutes.

9 PM (35 minutes after the Tylenol was given) -- Temp was 102.6 (did not break AT ALL)! Left message for the nurse to call around 9:20 -- at this time it had been 50 minutes since he had taken the Tylenol (and almost 6 hours since the Motrin) and his temperature was 103.1! Also saw a small rash in his inner thigh at this time.

9:30 PM -- Nurse called back. Said to take him in to the ER since the tylenol did not break his fever and he had a rash.

9:35 -- Steven, Mom, Adam and I head to the ER. Adam eats raisins on the way and feels somewhat cooler by the time we arrive.

10 PM -- Arrive at the ER. Adam heads straight to the "kid's area" and plays with the fire truck. Also announces that the stuffed Clifford the Red Dog was "happy". Very good signs.

10:15 PM -- Nurse weighs him (26 lbs. with clothes and full diaper -- so probably 25 lbs. which shows a little weight gain. Yay!). Nurse takes his vitals. Pulse is a little high (130) but she said it's due to the fever. Oxygen rate is perfect. Takes his temp... 100.8!!! What a relief!!! She gives him Motrin, though (wow, was that a scene... I think it took 4 of us holding him down to take it).

10:45 PM -- Doctor checks LL out. Fever totally broken by now (or at least it feels that way -- his forehead is nice & cool). He's very irritable, though (very tired). Long story short... Doctor said one of his ears looks a little irritated... but thinks it's just a virus. Rash looks like a skin infection (and not, G-d forbid, meningitis). Rules out the oh-so-lovely swine flu since he hasn't been coughing. Overall, thinks he's okay... just a virus... should be better in a few days. Alternate motrin and tylenol for the fever. Sent us home (which is good as Adam is screaming "Go home. Go to the car"). Adam is happy on the way out when he sees another Clifford the dog with a little stuffed bear next to him (and a cast on Clifford's foot). Holds the bear and screams when I take it... nurse says he can keep it (never a dull moment, I tell ya). Adam falls asleep within 4 minutes of getting into the car. Has been asleep ever since. Will check him again in an hour (every hour, I'm sure).

Soooo.... that was our day. How was yours? Ah, the joys of daycare. Will report back tomorrow with an update. Let's hope it's short & sweet and that LL is doing much better.

Hope everyone is having an enjoyable & HEALTHY weekend. xoxo.

P.S. Dana, if you're reading this, we are so sorry that we had to miss Mighty Max's birthday party today! Please give Max lots of germ-free kisses from us! Also, Sue, we're sorry that we have to miss your graduation party tomorrow. Congrats from all of us!

*** Footnote... Technically, this wasn't Adam's first time in the ER since he had to go with me when Steven had kidney stones last summer. However, this was his first (and, G-d willing, last) time as a patient there.