Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Periorbital Cellulitis and Adenovirus

*Prepare for your heart to be broken by these pictures!*
Layla has been struggling with eye infections. A few weeks ago they decided that she does need to get her tear ducts probed. Of course there are only 2 pediatric opthalmologists in the state of Montana, but luckily one of them is in Missoula. But he is super busy and can't see Layla until December so we've been trying to get by with antibiotic eye drops until then. Fast forward a couple weeks and Layla falls and hits her head on a dresser and gets a black eye. A week after that I notice that it is starting to swell around that eye. I kept wondering why it would be swelling a week later (I know, mother of the year right here for not realizing earlier what was going on!) and finally called the Dr. She said to bring Layla in because it might be another infection. Duh! Of course it was, why didn't I think of that!?! So the Dr put her on oral antibiotics and warned me that if it got any worse they would need to put her in the hospital to treat it more aggressively. The infection was spreading to the tissue around the eye (periorbital cellulitis) and can quickly make its way to the brain. Scary! So I brought Layla home and we tossed and turned all night on the couch trying to keep Layla comfortable. I gave it a few hours for the morning swelling to fade off, but it never did, and the redness was spreading. So back to the Dr we went. She agreed that it was worse and spreading quickly and admitted Layla to the hospital.
Here she was with warm packs on her little wrists to draw her veins out before getting her IV.

After the torture of IV placement and lab draws. Her veins are so little they just kept blowing so she ended up being poked in 3 different places!
So cute in her little gown, but so sick too!
The crib looked more like a prison cell!
After her first night she woke up and the redness had spread to her left eye. The Dr suspected there was something else going on as well, and he was exactly right with his guess. They did a swab and she tested positive for Adenovirus. It is the virus that causes pinkeye, fevers and respiratory issues, among other things. Josh called me that day and told me that Annabelle woke up with a high fever that morning too. Great! So it appears that Annabelle also has Adenovirus. It just has to run its course so we are trying to endure that.

Getting better!
Look at that frown on Layla's face.
No more IV!
After 3 days, getting ready to go home.
Because the virus is so contagions, poor Layla was in isolation the entire time. She couldn't leave her room and everybody had to gown up to take care of her. I left the room a couple times just to run down the hall for ice and snacks but never left the pediatric floor. Needless to say, we are so glad to be home where Layla can run around again! Layla's bacterial infection is under control with antibiotics so her eye looks much better now, but she still has the symptoms of the virus. However, Annabelle is actually more sick right now. She can hardly breathe and her eyes are all puffy. She constantly complains that she is too cold, even when her temperature is 105. We have a long week ahead of us while they recover but atleast we are getting a little better sleep at home. The girls mostly sit and watch TV while I run around frantically sanitizing things.

A sincere thanks to everyone for all the calls, texts, prayers and love! It is a great comfort to know that so many people care.

8 comments:

Trapper and Suzy said...

I'm so sorry that little Layla and even Annabelle have had to go through this. It sounds terrible! And this pictures ARE heartbreaking! We'll continue to pray for them.
Oh, and you're not a bad mother for not knowing earlier about her eye. If that was the case, we'd all be bad mothers. So, don't be too hard on yourself. : )

Shannon said...

I had no clue you were going through this! Layla looks so different! I'm glad to hear things are getting better!!

The Reese's said...

that does break my heart! hope everything gets better soon!

california smiths said...

That is heartbreaking! I can't imagine you having to deal with all that! Hope everyone recovers so you can rest! So sad!

Montana Brandts said...

Oh those poor little girls!! They are SO CUTE, it makes me want to cry to see them so miserable. I am so glad you are home now & that they are on they road to recovery, I am so sorry they have to go through this & you too. You are wonder woman!! I send you all my love, thoughts, prayers, & lots of hugs & kisses!! Get better soon, we love you girls!!

Danica said...

Oh poor girls. I hope they are feeling much better soon. Thank goodness for doctors, nurses, and good medicine. So sad, I'm sorry.

Jenny said...

Oh, boy! Those poor little girls. I know what it is like to be in isolation in the hospital, and to deal with IVs, and sick babies. Poor Mommy, too. I'm glad Josh is such a good dad to help out. We will be praying that the girls get better soon. Make sure you take a little break for yourself now and then. It may seem selfish, but it's not--if you break down then everyone suffers. Trust me on this. I've been there. Sending hugs and kisses and prayers from sunny Arizona!

Matt and Melissa said...

Those girls look so sad! You are such a good mama. I'm glad you are all home and on the mend. Good luck.