vascular compressions: turn of events pt 2

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Otis and I arrive at the ER around 1am. It’s now Tuesday, March 19th. The waiting room is incredibly quiet and they get us back right away. Otis is really just not having it at this point. He’s so uncomfortable and doesn’t even want to sit still in my arms. They get him hooked up to the monitor to check his oxygen level and take a swab to test for flu, Covid, and RSV. Otis wants nothing more than to leave as soon as we’re in the room. Reaching for the door as he cries. They bring him some motrin and after a bit of time he gives up the fight. I can now take a breathe and soak in my surroundings.


I rub his back, listen to him breathe, and watch the monitor. His oxygen level is in the upper 80s and takes moments to dip to 85. The desat notification flashes on the screen. But we’re here, we’ve done this before and I know he’s going to be okay. I wondered if the past trauma would trigger me coming here. It didn’t and that’s a relief. The therapy I’ve been doing has worked and I actually feel calm. I now know how this goes and that’s comforting for me.

Close to 3am they come in and start giving him oxygen so he doesn't have to work so hard. His tests were all negative. It's just a nasty respiratory virus. They have a bed for him upstairs and he's being admitted. 3:40am they wheel us on the bed to the 5th floor. If you've read my previous posts you know that every time I internally say "Weeeee!!" when wheeled somewhere.


The doctor and nurse meet us in the room straight away to get him hooked up and look him over. He was sleeping peacefully for about an hour and a half which he desperately needed. They are able to get an oxygen cannula on him, which is shocking to me. I thought for sure he'd rip it out immediately. He was pretty feisty in the ER earlier with getting the pulse oximeter on his toe ;)  At this point it's just a waiting game. Letting his body get the support he needs and knock the virus out. 

The doctor, nurse, and I got a good chuckle out of this. He's precious.

I wonder if you get a new forehead wrinkle for every challenge you get through.

My mom arrives at the hospital just after 5am. Otis is a bit restless again, but mom cuddles him and tells me to go home and sleep. So I do. I don't have the energy to fight and know my already struggling body needs more rest.

No one says it yet, but the thought crosses all our minds.. "Ben, Violet, and I are supposed to leave for Oklahoma City in less than 24 hours."

The house is still sleeping when I get there. I sneak into bed, tell Ben that Otis will be okay, and drift off to sleep. The house wakes up and readies for the day. Instead of school, the big kids go to the hospital to visit Otis first. This eases their worries as I think the vision may have been worse. 



The daytime pediatrician is patient and kind. Otis decided he was done with the oxygen once he woke up. His numbers are staying in the low 90s, so we let him keep it off. This is a good sign and the doctor isn't concerned about pneumonia. We do our best to get him to eat and drink fluids as they monitor every diaper. Needing hydration is a step we want to avoid. 

Syringe-feeding applesauce to get him to eat.

Napping Champs

His love of books is strong

The first good smile we got out of him!





The day goes by in a blur. The big kids are back after school and get Otis to perk up a bit and play. Moving around is the best thing for him to help clear out his little lungs. By later afternoon his fever is still high and his oxygen touching the line. An x-ray is ordered just to be sure.

Portable x-ray... how genius

His sweet little face. Thankfully it was super quick!

There is no pneumonia, it's bronchialitis.

Theodore goes to Mavs basketball with a friend. Mom offers to stay and encourages us to sleep. "You need to be well-rested for your trip." As Violet and I leave, Otis is sleeping on Ben's chest. His oxygen dips to 88 and so does my heart. If he goes back on oxygen he will need to stay another day.

I'm home, but in a daze. Violet is excitedly packing her bag. I'm sitting and staring into space unable to think of what needs to go in mine. I mindlessly wander my house collecting half of it to go with me. Ben comes home and we embrace. Another hard day in the books.

We get the message Otis's oxygen is stable again and he's doing well. Relief washes over me. The original plan was to departure at 3am for Oklahoma City. The new plan is to leave around 8.




We sleep soundly, get everything in the car, and head to the hospital. I bring mom a chai latte and some food. It feels an insufficient payment, but it's fuel for the day. Otis is curled on the bed sleeping peacefully. I rub his back and steal a hug from him. Just for a moment until he sees Ben. Ben is his new favorite.



We all embrace, some tears are shed, Theodore is dropped off at school, and we are on our way to OKC.




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