Monday Jacob developed a bad case of pink eye. It's something that happens to kids, Noah's got it a few times. Even Beth and I have gotten it (usually from Noah). The doctor prescribed an antibiotic eye drop, but it got worse. His eye and cheek began to puff up. So the doctor prescribed another antibiotic eye medicine. This seemed to help as the pink eye went away.

Unfortunately, he then developed a fever and a bad cough on Thursday night. On Friday, we took him to the doctor again, but his breathing had improved and his fever was gone. The doctor said it was probably a virus that would run its course. Saturday, he had an elevated temperature, but nothing alarming. He was playing just fine.

Saturday night, the boys were asleep when Jacob started to cough really bad. I picked him up and he felt hot so we took his temperature. 102.8. We gave him motrin, called the doctor, and called Beth's parents who came over. The doctor recommended putting Jacob into a lukewarm bath. I was hesitant to do so because when I put Noah in a lukewarm bath when he had a fever he wound up having a febrile seizure.

We put Jacob in the bath anyway and he had fun playing. Then he just stopped and his eyes glazed over. We got scared because we knew what this meant so we took him out of the tub and called 911. He started responding to Beth for a short while and then just stopped again. Stopped everything, including breathing. Then he started to turn grey. And he wasn't starting breathing again. This was scary new territory for us. During Noah's seizure, he stopped breathing, but started back up on his own. Beth's mother stepped in and gave him mouth to mouth. He started breathing again (thank GOD!) just as the emergency personnel arrived.

They took Jacob and Beth to the hospital. I followed with Beth's mother. Beth's father stayed behind with Noah. Thankfully, he slept through everything. He's too young to need to think about his brother stopped breathing.

From about 11pm to 2:30am we were in the emergency room seeing various nurses and doctors and getting few answers. At about 3am we went to the pediatrics department. At 4am, I took Beth's mother back to our house and got Noah ready to go to Beth's parents' home. Then I grabbed some supplies (snacks, toys, etc) and went back to the hospital. I spent the day there and actually got a short hour or so nap in with Jacob.

Last night I went back home and took Noah home also. Beth stayed with Jacob and apparently they had a rough night. His temp went up to 102 again, his breathing got labored, and his heart rate soared. As of now, they're keeping him in the hospital for "a few days" to make sure he recovers. He's on a general antibiotic, but we still don't know exactly what's wrong. I'll post updates when I can.

OMG, Jason.

Praying, praying...hope all is well.

best to you and Beth.

Hi Jason/Beth
So sorry to hear of alarming news regarding Jacob. I fervently hope he will be ok and recover well from whatever is troubling him.Give him a hug and I wish you all good times ahead

I hope he quickly recovers. Meanwhile, I trust the physicians are agressively seeking the cause and appropriate treatment.

All I can say Is get well soon.Our Prayers for his recovery

Scary indeed! I hope they can quickly narrow down the cause and treat it. Fortunately, young children are resilient and generally bounce back quickly.

Shelly

I hope that Jacob is soon back to normal and that you have him home.

Jason and Beth, my thoughts are with you and Jacob.

My thoughts are with you and your family. If you have a children's hospital nearby I would suggest working with them if (חלילה) there is a recurrence.

Ethan

"Study astronomy and physics if you desire to comprehend the relation between the world and G-d's management of it." - Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed

Astronomy in Eilat, Israel

Wow, that's terrifying. I sure hope the little guy gets better quick and nothing like that ever happens again.

Grogan

That's nightmarish. Here's hoping you'll all be waking up safe and sound soon.

Really scary.Take care.

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Quick update. Jacob has been fever free all day today so they think they were ready to discharge him. We decided to keep him there one more night, though, to watch for nighttime fevers (which is when he's really been having them). His breathing is a lot better though, and his demeanor is turning back into the Jacob we know and love. (Example, he's obsessed with grabbing his IV line, sticking it in his mouth to bite on, and then flashing us this mischievous smile that just screams "I've got something I shouldn't have!") With luck, tonight will go smoothly and Jacob (and Beth) can return home tomorrow.

Good news. Glad the little guy is better.

Les

Great news , Jason & Beth. Hoping that Jacob will soon be back to feeling well again .

Jane

Scary stuff indeed. Your second post is more upbeat Jason. We look forward to a positive post tomorrow saying you have him home again.

Wow, glad things are looking up Jason. That's so scary I almost jumped up to check that my kids were ok, seriously.

MSU

I thought that Noah seizing was the scariest thing I ever had to go through. But at least he started breathing again on his own. Jacob had to top his big brother and require mouth-to-mouth (and hospitalization). This now qualifies as the scariest moment I've ever had to live through and I hope it remains that way. I've already told Beth that I want to take an infant/child CPR class. Sure, Beth's mother was here and sure 911 would have talked me through it, but I'd rather have *some* knowledge of the process should I ever need to perform it again.

Glad to know that your son is fine now.The idea of learning CPR is really good.Check the hospital or Red cross for joining any course conducted by them.Saw in the internet that American Red cross society has one such course (for 5 hours).

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My wife and I have both been trained in CPR. What got me really concerned after reading your post is that my son started a really odd sounding cough last night and he crawled into bed and fell asleep tonight about 3 hours before his usual bed time. I did go check on him and he seems OK.

MSU

This morning, I had a little chat with Noah to explain where Jacob was and why. I omitted certain details, of course. He doesn't need to hear that his brother stopped breathing for a minute. "Got sick" and "went to the hospital" is good enough for a 4 year old.

Anyway, he wanted to make a get well card for his brother on Tux Paint. This is what he came up with:



Noah said he used the big stethoscopes for his "baby."

Also, Beth just called me and told me that they had to wake up Jacob to take his medicine. As he fell back to sleep, Beth told him that he needed to take the medicine so he could go back home and see Daddy and big brother Noah. He fell back asleep mumbling "No-wah... no-wah... no-wah."

Do we know what was wrong?

Visit the Basement

The best explanation we have right now is that it was some virus, an ear infection, and pink eye.

I just heard from Beth that Jacob is going to be released from the hospital. (They still have to do all of the paperwork so who knows how long that will take!)

Here are some photos Beth took of Jacob during his stay:


The arm brace kept his IV line safe from prying baby fingers.


Not too happy about his situation


Sheer exhaustion!


Snuggled under pirate ducky blanket.


Asleep in a chair this time.


Sound asleep.

Poor kid.


Cute kid!


Hospitals suck.


Glad to hear you're going home.

Visit the Basement

Here are some photos Beth took of Jacob during his stay:

----------------------------

Where are they?

LilJoe

They should be right there.

Right in the post. Six pics, cute little fellow but he sure looks sick. Hope he gets well soon Jason/Beth.

Dave101

The only goddamn thing you know about the law is how to break it.Chief Laflèche

I just came back from taking Beth and Jacob home. The little guy was having fun playing and only got upset when he saw the "mean nurse" come towards him. (She's actually very nice, but she's the one who did the Percussive Therapy and suctioned out his nose.) As we walked out of the hospital, Jacob decided to wave "bye bye" to everyone we passed. He was definitely back to the happy-go-lucky Jacob that we love. (Right down to falling asleep in the car on the way home.)

That's great news Jason and hopefully all is well.The pictures are adorable.

Happy to hear he's back home and better.
The pic of you and him snoozing in the chair is priceless.

I sure hope the little guy pulls through ok. My best wishes to you and your family in this difficult time.

what a relief!

sweet pix, too. thanks for keeping us up-to-date, and i hope you are all well rested by now.