Hayden Hospitalized

Last weekend Hayden woke up whining and crying around 11:00 pm one evening. And again around 1:30, 2:30 and 4:00 am. It was then that we noticed that she had labored breathing (short, fast breathes), was drawing in her rib cage muscles to breathe, had a fast heart rate and was wheezing. Just a few hours later, she and I were in the pediatrician's office where she was receiving breathing treatments.

She was soon admitted to the hospital after the doctor determined that her symptoms only temporarily improved after each treatment. Hayden's sweet Daddy had just flown out-of-town and was at his destination just a few short hours before he was on the next flight home.

The first day in the hospital was a rough one with treatments every 1-2 hours but that evening was worse. Hayden was exhausted with all of the lack of sleep and when she was at her breaking point she started crying, "I want Madison... and Payson." She finally fell asleep at 10:20 pm only to have her oxygen level drop less than 15 minutes later. Next thing she new, she had a stranger sticking little prongs up her nose and tape to her face. It was a nasal cannula, of course. She would proceed to pull it out and resist wearing it for the next few hours. The nurses were trying to fix it around 1:00 am when Hayden ripped everything off and threw it, along with every pillow, lovey and blanket, off the bed and onto the floor. She was screaming hysterically and would not let anyone, not even me, get close to her. Once she calmed down, I was able to convince her to wear the cannula, but only after her baby doll received one first. We both slept much more peacefully for the rest of the night despite the recurring breathing treatments.

Hayden did such a great job in the hospital despite not feeling well. It helped that she couldn't wonder very far with her tubes and wires.

However, Hayden was still very much herself and still at least as energetic as an average toddler. Just as I was thinking about how subdued she was during our stay, the nurses commented on how energetic she was. Little did they know how active she is when she feels well!

Besides the entertainment Hayden received by the doctors and nurses and all of their gadgets (she told the admittance lady wearing a yellow hospital mask that she looked like a duck), I kept Hayden occupied by periodically giving her new little toys, painting her toenails and ordering her lots of good food.

Hayden was released the next day and we continued the breathing treatments and antibiotics for another six days. She grew to love her Dinosaur and looked forward to turning on the machine herself. She was so cooperative - even during the overnight treatments - and was just a really great patient overall. In her first hour home, Hayden told Madison, "Miss you." And Madison replied, "Miss you too" as she leaned over to kiss Hayden's arm.

There was inconclusive test results as to what caused Hayden's asthmatic episode, but it was likely a bacterial infection or allergies. We will be keeping an eye out for this kind of reaction in the future and will be praying that she does not develop asthma.

Thanks to all of our friends and family who kept Hayden in their thoughts and prayers this week!