Bronchiolitis Hospital Adventure

Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive January-June 2003: Bronchiolitis Hospital Adventure

Our poor almost-2-year-old son has - we think - bronchiolitis / RSV, which is a viral infection of the breathing passages. It's fairly common, not too bad in terms of seriousness, but does require hospitalization because of the frequent nebulizer treatments with Ventolin and sometimes O2.

On Wed. morning, after a massive crying/wheezing fit, DH took Jack to the Dr., who said to go to Children's Emergency just to be safe. I met them there around 1 p.m. for a very long night! DS was in Emerg for about 12 hours (with the nebulizer every 1/2 hr) and then they transferred us via ambulance to another Children's center.

Funniest thing about it (because not very much was funny) was the nebulizer mask. The kid's mask is done up to look like a dinosaur or a rhino or something. Unfortunately, most kids HATE the nebulizer, despite any attempts by manufacturers to make it more "fun". Besides, ds thought it looked like a chicken. He kept saying, "No chicken! No more chicken!! All done chicken!!" and wailing like a siren everytime he had to put it on.

Busy night at Children's Hospital. Overheard a nurse saying that all she'd done all morning was give babies Ventolin. Anyway, there were no beds, hence the transfer to another Children's Center, but ds DID enjoy the ambulance ride.

Anyway, two nights in the hospital with less-and-less use of The Chicken (which Children's Emergency staff thoughtfully packed and sent along with us) and ds finally came home today. Bit of a scare but more of a long drawn-out timespan because most of your time is spent waiting. And I forgot how uncomfortable hospital stays are. It definitely reminded me of labour & delivery, except without any joy.

DS is much better spirits, though that could be because Ventolin tends to make kids a little hyper. There were periods when Jack was chattering away and babbling every word in his vocabulary in no particular order while trying to climb the hospital curtains and/or my hair at the same time. Then he would get super-exhausted and practically fall asleep on his feet.

Tell you the truth, I never thought he was in mortal danger and had DH not taken ds to the Dr. I'm not sure if I would have thought to do so either. At any rate, ds is fine now, and was well looked after. I never got the sense that he was in imminent risk of expiring, so thankfully, our health system and various spiritual forces worked well for us.

So now we have two inhalers (Ventolin & Flovent), plus a mask and a "spacer". So, there's still "The Chicken" in concept if not reality at any rate. I have a feeling we've ruined 50% of possible dinner ideas for the rest of ds's life. He's gonna be a beef man.

By Melanie on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 09:27 pm:

Gosh, what an experience!! I am glad he is doing better. (((HUG)))

By Trina on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 10:21 pm:

{{{Laura and Jack}}} I have so BTDT! So glad to hear your little guy is OK now. WHEW! Very scary and nerve racking! My DS had a severe asthma attack this past October that landed him in the hospital for 3 days. We have two dinosaur masks, inhalers, spacers, turbo inhalers, etc.. Hmmm, what am I forgetting?! I've never heard of Ventolin. Is it like Albuterol or Orapred? Makes them hyper! AWWW!

By Sunny on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 10:32 pm:

(((hugs))) That does sound like an adventure. I'm glad to hear he is home and doing better.

By Karen55 on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 10:45 pm:

Laura, how awful to have to go through that! I had bronchiolitis exactly one year ago and I was sick for several weeks. I also have asthma. It's really a good thing your DH brought your son to the ER. When kids get that much bronchial congestion, you really don't have much choice, it *has* to be treated. I use Flovent also, and Serevent, and have albuterol as a rescue inhaler. I hope he gets over this soon. {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}} to all of you.

Trina, Ventolin is albuterol. Between Jen and I, we have the inhalers and also some Ventolin pills.

By Mechelle on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 12:38 pm:

(((((((((Hugs to you both)))))))))

Glad to hear he is better

By Barbie on Saturday, January 18, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

So sorry about your ds. Your dh did the right thing, anytime you have sweezing it can get serious in seconds. My ds had his first asthma at 4 months, he is 20 yrs old now still has the inhaler he uses every day, and the nebulizer for when his inhaler doesn't work. We spent the first 3 yrs in and out of the hospital with dx of bronchitis and pneumonia, finally got the right dx and treatment. I do hope this will be your ds only episode. God Bless

By Eve on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 11:57 am:

Wow, Laura! I'm so glad Jack is doing better now! Sounds like quite the adventure! How much longer will you have to use the inhalers? I hope for not much longer! ((HUG))

By Laurazee on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 08:52 pm:

He seems to be fine now. We have to use the inhalers for about 2 more weeks with decreasing frequency. Thanks for all your kind thoughts.

He just celebrated his birthday today! Two years old, and seems to be in fine form with all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins around today. It was a good day.

By Jenn on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 10:44 am:

I'm glad to hear that he is better.
Happy B-lated Birthday Jack!!!!!!

By Eve on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 11:42 am:

Happy Birthday Jack!! The Big 2!!
Glad you are feeling better!

By Colette on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 - 05:53 am:

BTDT with my youngest. My dr sent the nebulizer home with me too, as far as the mask goes, she told me if the child really hates the mask don't strap it to their face, just hold it in front of their mouth and nose, they are a little more comfy sitting on your lap watching a video or having a favorite story read to them than having to be at the hospital. It's a terrible, horrible thing to watch your child have trouble breathing. I hope he's better soon.