Toddler in hospital. Need a handhold.

[sobsanta]

DD is 2 and has been ill for about four days with what we presumed to be a heavy cold. She hasn't slept much and today took a turn for the worse where we had to call an ambulance due to her breathing being laboured while sleeping and sucking in under the ribs with every breath. Paramedics think some kind of upper respiratory infection as her chest appears clear. Epiglottitis was mentioned or possibly severe tonsillitis but they didn't want to check her mouth at home in case it panicked her.

DH went to the hospital with her as he's calm and collected and only one parent is allowed due to coronavirus restrictions. She's a daddy's girl anyway so she'll feel safe with him but I'm kicking myself that I can't be with them both. Haven't heard anything yet and they've been gone about an hour.

Am terrified and need distraction as I know there's nothing I can do and she's with the best people.

Message from MNHQ: Please note, very sad update further down the thread

Hand hold here. How scary for you all; my 2 year old currently napping upstairs so can imagine how you must feel

What time did they leave? I assume your DH will update you as soon as he can

Maybe a viral induced wheeze or bronchiolitis also at this time of year. I’m sure as long as one of you is with her she’ll be ok as can have cuddles but it’s hard being at home and not with them I know. Our hospital isn’t keen on parents swapping but perhaps you can tonight or tomorrow if they’ll let you or if she’s well enough to come home.
It’s a horrible thing my son has been in hospital lots with his asthma - gets a cold and that can trigger an attack.

She’s in the best place, I’m a mum and a nurse so know how horrible it is when your child is poorly, you feel helpless. It’s not your fault you can’t be with them, you’ve done what you can to get her help and she’s with daddy, hopefully he can update you as much a possible and I hope she’s on the mend really soon

(((HUG)))

My Godson used to get this a lot when he was little. Nearly always had tonsillitis. So hopefully that's 'all' it is.

They wouldn't remove his tonsils despite him frequently being ill & in pain with it, but now he's a teenager he doesn't seem to get it more than once a year now.

Let us know when you hear anything 🌷

I've been trying to be productive. I've cleaned so the house is clean for them both when they're home, I've got extra clothes and activities like iPads etc on charge and ready to go in a bag in case there's an overnight stay on the cards, and I've text him via text and a WhatsApp as I'm not sure what signal is like to ask how they're both doing that trying not to ring or hound too much as I know DH will update as soon as he's able to.

I'm hoping it's something simple that with a course or antibiotics will be gone. I'm terrified 😢

DS was in a few months ago with similar, they weren't sure exactly what it was so treated for the worst case scenario to make sure all bases were covered. He thankfully went from being extremely poorly to up and about within 24 hours following fluids and antibiotics. Your DH should be able to keep in contact with you via phone, and although it's very scary you have us to talk to if needed. They see this often, and are amazing, as cliche as it is they are in the best place and will be monitored receive treatment. Do you have anything to try and distract yourself with?

He did also have to have nebuliser and oxygen, and was sent home with an inhaler, but was back to his normal self within a few days.

Its absolutely horrid when they get an illness like this, and it's horrid when you're not the one at hospital too. Big hugs and handholds here. dS(3) had to go in the other week because he knocked a front tooth out, DH took him, I was pieces the whole time even though I knew it was nothing serious! She'll be fine, I'm sure, but be kind to yourself while you're waiting x

Handhold OP 😔

I'm in the house so I have the tv, internet, phone, iPad, books, laptop - pretty much all my usual distractions to hand but I can't seem to focus on anything as my mind is everywhere so I'm keeping busy doing the housework, on MN, and keeping up with the US election developments.

I know she's with the best people. Should anything happen they have a team of doctors and equipment and a very calm and cool DH who will make her feel safe and loved while I, as much as I love her, am unable to do that as I'm constantly faffing.

I've started worrying now because she looks grubby. Under her nose is all red and swollen due to wiping a runny nose constantly, she's in clean clothes but has that sick baby smell and worst of all, she's got nits. The shampoo has just come to treat her and I combed the worst out yesterday but realised as she was leaving the house that the front of her head by her fringe is not fully combed out. Honestly, so embarrassing and not the point at all because her health is the concern but everything is just in overdrive right now.

Sorry you are going through this.
Remember three things:
A) she is really in the best place with people who have the knowledge to treat her
B) children are ridiculously resilient and bounce back astoundingly quickly. My 2 yo son was playing in the ward play room 30 minutes after coming round from general anaesthetic for abdominal surgery.
C) her father is with her, the joint best person in the world to be with her so she is not alone.

Try to be calm so you can understand what is happening and what aftercare she may need, if she does. The best thing you can do is be calm and clear your head, it will be fine.

Another hand hold here. Hope you hear from your DH soon and it's something very simple to treat. Is there anything else you can do in the meantime? Pop to the shops for her fave snack for when she's home?

She's in the right place OP hope you get an update soon to put your mind at ease

Sending hugs. Spent 11 nights with DT2 in paeds HDU when he was a small baby with what they thought initially was bronchiolitis but was actually whooping cough. I saw an awful lot of kids come through HDU those nearly 2 weeks from tiny babies to toddlers, pretty much all with bronchiolitis. They were all fine, and all in and out much more quickly than us. Hopefully it’s something they can treat rather than just offering supportive measures as that’s so frustrating - I’m sure she’ll be absolutely fine with the right care. Hang in there x

Phone signal is really bad in our hospital, but I hope you hear something soon. It takes so long having different tests and then getting results.

Big hugs from here.
My DD has been in hospital a couple of times with her breathing. They gave her a nebuliser and lots of salbutamol and she was absolutely bouncing off the walls. So that is something to look out for- a toddler literally on steroids! She used to get ill rather quickly, but also get well quickly too. Hope the same for your DD.
ps The nurses won't care about nits

Hope she's ok and your husband manages to contact you with news.

It doesn’t sound like she looks grubby, it sounds like she looks like a normal child so please don’t worry about that

Handhold OP

I hope you get some news soon! x

OP, sending you a big hug. I hope you get some good news/update soon.

Hope all is well. God they are such a worry.

Hand hold from me too. DD1 had this just before she turned 2, took her to the doctors and they put her straight onto a nebuliser and called an ambulance. Terrifying! However, they'd seen this many times before and she was diagnosed with viral wheeze. It was treated with steroids and inhalers and she was fine after an overnight stay.

We've had a few more hospital stays, but now she's 3.5 we're able to treat her at home. We've been to she'll grow out of it. Fingers crossed!
Hope your DD is ok. She's in the best place.

Any news? I hope it's all good x

Update: she's home, she has antibiotics and a really bad bout of tonsillitis. We're all exhausted and she's asleep on the sofa with us where we can keep an eye on her for now. Thank you guys!

That's such a relief. Poor LO but so glad she is home and safe.