I spoke too soon. I jinxed it.
Friday was looking like a good day. WAS - is the key word here. The next thing I know, she is waking up from her nap at 4:00pm with full blown projectile vomiting. It was everywhere. I rushed in to the room to find my sweet baby shaking as she looked down at her self, covered in it.
After some coaxing I got her into the bathtub and afterwards, she continued puking. It wouldn't stop. I first called Dan and he agreed we call the doctor's office. The nurses' exact words were, "Take her straight to the ER." After our dehydration scare the day before, this lady wasn't messing around. And neither was I. Sobbing, I called Dan at work, our neighbor to take out the dog, my parents, and of course, Melissa. All the while, throwing random items of clothing and personal effects into a small overnight bag just in case.
We arrived at the local children's hospital after a car ride filled with more vomiting. Even after managing to get a few sips down of water, she couldn't keep it down.
The nurse took the basics - vomiting since Sunday night, no wet diapers that day, dehydration check at pediatrician's office the day before, and diarrhea.
After setting us up into the ER, we met with a kid-friendly PA, Wendy. She listened intently as I'm sure I rambled on and without hesitation ordered IVs for Riley. She would receive fluids for the dehydration and Zofran for the vomiting and nausea. She explained hat Riley had gotten involved into this horrible cycle - vomiting, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, dehydration - one that she could no longer get out of on her own without some intervention. Wendy also explained that she would draw some blood when they did the IVs.
A while later, and many distractions later, including Dan's sanitizing efforts with her, glove puppets, and lizard gymnastics, the ladies of the hour arrived.
(These photos were taken on my phone)
Dan took the position on the small hospital bed, placing her between his legs while the nurses examined her veins. They placed the IV in her right arm all the while Riley was yelling things such as, "Riley boo-boo, GO, All done, No Mommy..." Even after the IV was in, she was still pretty ticked off. Then, they rolled in THE CART. Thank God for THE CART. On it, was a TV and DVD player which we dutifully watched Dora while Riley sank into defeat.
Once the drugs and fluids were administered, they wanted Riley to eat and drink a little. After a Popsicle (they even asked what color she liked) and two ounces of water at a time (I asked how much is two ounces?? Like two sips?) we waited some more. Waiting, for the puking to start. But it didn't, thankfully.
We were discharged with a prescription for Zofran and instructions to return if the vomiting persisted despite three doses of Zofran. Around 10:00 pm we returned home. Riley was a new woman. She chatted it up on the way home and happily slept through the night.
We wait to see what each day brings but hope that each one gets better.
After all of this, I realized three very important things.
1. My daughter is strong. She is a stubborn, take no prisoners kind of girl. She knows what she wants and doesn't take no for an answer. And she is funny. As we were preparing to leave, Riley held out her bandaged hand out of her room towards the direction of the nurse who inserted the IV and yelled to her, "Riley all done. Riley go." You can't help but laugh.
2. My husband is a rock star. On the car ride to the hospital, I would intermittently start crying. Dan reminded me, "Jamie, this isn't cancer. It's just some IVs - we have to do this to make her feel better." Sometimes you just need to hear that. He held our baby, rocked her, and whispered in her ear. Holding her hand, their feet intertwined, I looked at them and couldn't help but feel lucky.
3. I have some awesome parents and friends. Mind you, this occurred on my Mom's birthday. She was ready to jump on a plane (to which my Dad and Dan told her to hold off). Because -- that's what's parents do - that's what I would do. I am also thankful for some forever friends. Friends (you know who you are), who listen to my sobbing and instruct me to pull it together or text me throughout the night to keep them informed. Friends - who leave kind messages on my Facebook or who simply say, "Keep me in the loop."
Thanks to everyone - we are forever grateful for your support, calls, and offers to jump on a plane.
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