What a scary few days! On Wednesday Gabriel woke up drenched in sweat, shaking, and incredibly lethargic. We basically could not get him to wake up for any length of time! Avery was jumping on our bed while he was laying on it and he would not wake up. I sat him up to put on his clothes and he toppled over like a sack of potatoes. He would break out in a cold sweat every 20 minutes or so. Needless to day we took him directly to his pediatrician where we discovered that his body temperature was around 94 degrees! We learned that low body temps are very alarming. His hands and feet were purple and his circulation was very poor. We were sent to the E.R. so that he could quickly get I.V.'s and blood drawn. The pediatrician informed us that these were potential signs for a blood infection and the ER would be able to determine if he needed to be admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit or the General Pediatrics floor at the hospital. She even suggested transporting him by ambulance, but we felt comfortable to drive him ourselves. The ER started him on warming fluids by IV and wrapped him in warm blankets to assist with his low body temperature. He was admitted to the General Pediatrics floor and gradually started to perk up. An endocrinologist met with us and told us that blood work showed that he had very high insulin levels which was more than likely caused by hypoglycemia. Basically his blood sugar dropped very low. This news was actually good news as we were so worried that he was in the midst of a blood infection which can cause kids to become very ill. They monitored his blood sugars throughout the night which were borderline low and drew more blood on Thursday morning. His blood work was much better on Thursday morning. His insulin levels evened out and the rest of the labs were all normal. We will now be followed by an endocrinologist and we have to check Gabriel's blood sugar every morning and after naps. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous as very low blood sugar can lead to seizures and even comas. We were required to meet with a dietitian prior to being to discharged from the hospital and learned how to better feed our little man. Basically, we just have to make sure that he eats 6 small meals a day balanced with carbs and protein or fat. It is important that he always gets a snack right before bed. If he cannot maintain is blood sugar over night we will have to wake him and feed him a snack at midnight. Hypoglycemia is very manageable with diet for which we are so thankful.
I was once again reminded that we are surrounded by amazing friends and family. Prayers, meals, and offers to help take care of Cael and Avery came to us in heaps. God is good! This hospitalization pushed Gabriel's days in the hospital to over 30 days total since birth! I love my children so very much and after such moments in life I realize that I need to slow down and enjoy each moment with each kid.
Little Gabriel is so loved...and we are blessed that he is healthy and happy!!! Praise God!
4 comments:
Oh Melissa, how scary!! I am so so happy that Gabe is ok. Please keep me updated and let me know if you guys need anything. I got teary reading this post aloud to Adam. Thank you for being such an amazing mommy and know that we are thinking about you and yours here in CA. Love you!
Melissa, my eyes are filled with tears reading about sweet Gabe's hospitalization. How frightening for your family. He has been through so much in his little life :(. Please call or text me if you need more meals or any help with transportation, etc. We aren't far away! Gabey is in my prayers OXOXO
Oh,my gosh, Melissa...I too sprang tears reading this. Your children are so precious and seeing Gabe curled up with his daddy, SICK! I'm so glad it is something manageable. That had to be so scary!
I've already told you this, but if there is ANYTHING I can do, let me know. I'm still working on that message board, but please come join us!!
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