ER

Caution: Long post meant for my own record!

Blake woke up with a 102 degree fever on Friday morning. She had no other major symptoms, so we just started Tylenol, and took it easy. I called the pediatrician's office later that day just to check and see if I was doing everything I needed to. After her fever climbing to 105 the next morning, and then easing off and climbing again Saturday afternoon, I called back to the doctor. I was reassured as to what other symptoms to look for, and to keep pushing the fluids, taking cool baths, and alternating Motrin and Tylenol. We were doing all that, and were told that unless other symptoms arose, the fever was just Blake's body fighting off an infection. (I know, but still not any less scary!) By 9:00 Saturday night, I checked her temp again and the thermometer just read HI. The manual stated that meant any temp over 107.6! We jumped in the car and went to the ER.

Blake was started on an IV, had chest X-rays, urine and blood samples taken, and received a Tylenol suppository. Poor girl! Her temp was 105.8. The doctor said in a baby this age a high temp means one of 4 things: strep throat, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or a viral infection. All tests were clear, so that meant it is a viral infection... meaning we have to let the fever run its course and continue what we were doing treatment-wise.
Bonus, with our hospital in construction right now, they turn off the AC on Saturday nights! So already hot pregnant lady, holding a miserable very hot baby, in a hot room... I was sweating like a pig. Luckily we had a great nurse, great doctor, and great support from one of my mom's friends who knows the ER and everything in it from her job... we were taken care of very well, including a fan in our room that was a lifesaver! The IV and suppository brought Blake back to herself, and we both cheered up. Thank God that Tim is such a calm, cool personality because I was emotional!

We got home at 1:00 AM, and Blake's temp has not been back over 99 since then. We're due to go to her regular pediatrician either tomorrow or Tuesday to check on her and see what the culture results say. We're staying in and taking it easy today.

Next Day: Blake's temp climbed back to 103 degrees the next day. I stayed home from work on Monday. By Tuesday, the fever was back to a normal temperature. Thank goodness!