Again???

Here we go again.

When I picked Bryson up from Erin on Tuesday she told me that he had been a little bit fussy and that he had taken three naps (he usually only takes two). We thought maybe he was just tired, but I noticed that he felt a little bit warm. By the time we got home he was more than warm, so I took his temperature. It was 101.7 degrees. I could tell he wasn't feeling well at all, and congestion was setting in.

Tuesday night was like many nights that we have experienced recently. Bryson was so congested, running a high fever, and would not sleep. He also screamed most of the night, and wasn't easily consoled.

Luckily my mom was able to come on Wednesday morning to keep him. I went into work early and got done early, and we headed to see the pediatrician. His temperature right before we went to see Dr. Meyer was 103.5 degrees and it was obvious to see that he felt horrible.

Dr. Meyer said his ears look cloudy and are filled with fluid, but are not infected - yet. She said this could easily turn into an infection at any moment, but without a crystal ball there was no way to tell if it would become an ear infection or not. Then she looked at his throat and found the problem. She said it looked terrible! She said babies usually don't get strep, but wanted to test him for it anyways. The rapid strep test came back negative and they sent it off to be cultured. We should have those results early next week.

In the meantime she said he has a viral throat infection. So, the waiting begins. Just as we have been doing since December 10th when he was diagnosed with his first ear infection. Dr. Meyer said if this would have been an ear infection her reccomendation would have been tubes. She said if he gets worse (at all) to bring him in immediately.

I'm concerned and wondering why he is getting sick so often (each time he has only been off antibiotics for a few days!). Dr. Meyer said that around six months is when the maternal antibodies received through the placenta "wear off", it is cold and flu season, and he is putting EVERYTHING in his mouth. Knowing that makes me feel better, I guess. But it is SO hard to watch your baby feel so horrible, and know there is nothing you can do about it.

I guess the good news is that we're not heading for tubes at the moment. We're now just praying that this infection will resolve and will not lead to ear infections.

On a side note------> I was rocking Bryson this morning as he was screaming at the top of his lungs. I had tried to give him a bottle because he will not eat. He took one swallow and began to wail. So, there I was rocking him and watching Good Morning America. They started talking about the recent earthquake in Haiti and showing pictures of the destruction and devastation. My heart hurts for the people there. I can't help but think about all of the moms who now can't provide for their children, who probably don't have a roof over their heads, and who don't know where their next meal will come from. Even amidst all of this sickness (which is really rotten) we are so blessed. We are lifting up prayers for the people of Haiti. We are praying that God will send help, healing, and a sense of peace to those in the midst of this horrible chaos.