On Monday, my son came home from school visibly sick. That night, he was wheezing in his sleep. Using our doctor’s app, we made an appointment for 10am the following morning.
By morning, he was really struggling to breathe so I checked his oxygen levels using a pulse oximeter (our doctor says it’s the most important tool to have at home, even more so than a thermometer). I also FaceTimed my cousin who is an EMT and he immediately told me to call 911.
I did and when the operator asked how old my son was, I struggled to say nine years old. My cool composure completely broke as I tried not to sob.
The EMTs arrived within five minutes and put him on a gurney. When they said they were taking him to a hospital where our preferred doctor doesn’t work, I told them he had an appointment in 30 minutes with his pediatrician. They said he would probably get faster service there so it would be better.
His doctor immediately gave him a breathing treatment and a shot of prednisone, which opened up his airways. She sent him home and we’ve been giving him breathing treatments every four hours but it was still touch and go. If his blood oxygen dipped too low again, he’d have to go to the hospital in an ambulance.
On Wednesday, we took him back to the doctor for a follow-up appointment (photo above) and she said his lungs sounded much better. He just took his last prednisone pill so I’m praying he’ll be back to normal soon.
The most disturbing part is that all the tests (flu A, flu B, RSV and mycoplasma, which is walking pneumonia) came back negative so we still don’t know what he has.
I’ve been so stressed that I haven’t been able to work or think. Most of my time has been spent holding my boy in my arms while we watch movies to pass the time.
Update: Fortunately, Jack is doing much better and we took him to an asthma specialist who extended his Prednisone by 2-3 days and said it’s a virus and he should be back to normal soon. Fingers crossed.
