Emergency!

Honestly, I never thought I'd be taking my ten month old son to the hosptial because of breathing problems! Yes, I suppose I am of the "it won't happen to me" generation. But, at the same time...should I expect things like this to happen? Nevertheless, my gen x optimistic paradigm was shattered Wednesday afternoon when I had to take Zion to the hospital. Though I outwardly remained calm, my heart was racing as my husband pulled the car into the parking lot and we walked through the emergency room doors. I stiffled a panic attack when the attendant said, "stay right here. We want to get you back right away" and then called back to the nurses, "we have a ten month old baby whos'e oxygen is at 82%."

As they got tylenol, pedialyte, and oxygen in him and his breathing went back to normal, I was able to relax a bit more. My baby was going to be okay. Despite having to be admitted into the hospital, my heart rate remained normal as I knew my son was being taken care of. After several tests, the prognosis was good. He had a virus affecting his lungs and breathing- not serious and something that would clear up on its own. We only had to wait until his oxygen levels returned to normal. Two days later we were sent home with oxygen for when he is sleeping. He's now doing much better and should be back to normal now. Unfortunately, he did develop an ear infection the last day in the hospital. So, we do have antibiotics. Although I still don't expect to endure another ordeal such as this, I have a new appreciation for what can happen and I am extremely thankful for modern medicine and the United States.