Levi

As some of you know, we've been in the pediatric ICU with Levi since Monday night. He most likely has RSV or a very similar respiratory virus. He's doing much better right now and will be OK--now we're just waiting out the virus while they help him breathe and monitor all his vital signs. It sounds like we might be here for about a week.

On Monday, I noticed Levi was very pale. He also became lethargic and too sleepy to eat (very unlike him) for a number of hours. By the time I took him to his pediatrician at 7:00 p.m., his color was terrible--ashen, grey--and he was limp. The doctor checked him for a minute and decided we should call 911 and get him to the ER. Levi had had several episodes of apnea (stopping breathing) for 20-30 seconds just while the doctor observed him. I rode in the ambulance with Levi to Mission Hospital. The doctors at the hospital ran lots of tests, and they put Levi on a CPAP machine (thankfully they didn't have to intubate him) to help him breathe. The tests ruled out bacterial infection, and most all other signs point to RSV (though the initial test for RSV came back negative). The doctors say there are basically no long-term effects from having this virus, and Levi should make a full recovery.

Just this morning, the doctors took Levi off the CPAP and put him on a canula (just those little clear tubes you sometimes see people with that go into their nose). This is a good sign, because it means he's doing the breathing much more on his own now. He also spent about an hour awake and alert. The doctor said we may move him to Pediatrics tomorrow, too, and perhaps be able to go home earlier than anticipated (we were thinking early next week, but perhaps it'll be this weekend), since Levi is doing so well this morning and his bloodwork from today looks real good.

We have lots of help from family and friends for taking care of Nate and Lucy. It is such a blessing to have so many dear friends who want to do anything we need.

I'll post more later!