4 week check up and RSV

1/13/09

Adeline had her 4 week check up yesterday, and since she is still congested it was great timing, so she could be seen for both at one time. Owen was also still running a low grade fever, coughing, and having lots of drainage from his nose, so I had him seen at the same time as well. After hearing Owen's symptoms, and taking a look at him, the doctor wanted to test him for RSV. She said it is going around like crazy, and if he was positive we should try to keep him away from Adeline. Well, of course, his test came back POSITIVE. This is the first real illness he has had since birth. I am almost positive we got the RSV while we were in Terre Haute for Christmas. I started getting sick the day we got back, Adeline got sick a couple days after me, and Owen about a week later. Then George started feeling bad not long after. George and I were not tested for RSV, but I am sure that is what we have as well. It is just not going away like the common cold, but instead lingering on and on. The doctor said that Owen could be sick for a total of three weeks, but she thinks that he may be over the worst part. She said his lungs sounded okay, and he didn't need any breathing treatments. She was mostly concerned about Adeline getting RSV at such a young age. Many newborns have to be hospitalized if they get RSV, and some end up on ventilators. She tested Adeline for RSV, and her test was negative. She said that since Adeline started with the congestion not long after I did, maybe she had only a very mild case due to me breastfeeding her so often, and that the virus was already out of her system causing her to test negative. Another scenario is that she has not had RSV yet, in which case we should be worried. I sure hope it is the first scenario. I have been sucking her nose out frequently with the bulb, running the cool mist humidifier, elevating the head of her bassinet, breastfeeding, breastfeeding, and breastfeeding some more. The doctor said if Adeline is able to stay out of their office and hospital after being exposed to so many people with RSV at only 3-4 weeks old, that my breast milk must have some super power! I am doing my best to keep Owen away from her, but it is hard during the day when it is just me and the two kids. At night it is easier when George takes one and I take the other. I am using alcohol gel and Lysol wipes like crazy, eating tons of vitamin C, and drinking lots of water in hopes that it will all help. I guess we will see....

As far as Adeline's 1 month check up, everything looked pretty good. She weighed in at 11pounds 3.2ounces, which is the 90th percentile. I know, she is a chunky monkey, but at least she is now on the chart. She is 22.25 inches long, which is the 75th percentile, and her head is 14.75 inches, which isthe 50th percentile. Her heart sounded great, and her lungs had some course crackles, but no wheezes. She is meeting all her milestones. I asked the doctor about her sleeping so much, and she assured me that she is completely normal. Owen, that stinker, really altered my vision of normal. She does have a mild case of thrush, so the doctor put her on some Nystatin liquid three times a day. The doctor put a little more silver nitrate on her belly button since it was still draining slightly. Hopefully this will be the end of the umbilical cord drama. I called my midwife, and she wanted me to take a dose of Diflucan to treat me for yeast as well so that Adeline and I would not be passing it back and forth. Owen got weighed at the appointment, and he was 28 pounds. My little boy is getting so big!