Scary Sick

From earlier in the week...

Alex woke up this morning with a 104.3 temp. This was less than 24 hours from her first fever of 103.2. We immediately gave her Motrin and within 45 minutes, it was down to 102.4. We called our doctor back because he wanted to see her if she still had a fever today. Her temp was back in a normal range by the time we got there. He checked her throat and swabbed it to check for strep. It came back negative. So they took blood. He came back a a few minutes later and said her counts were low, so they wanted to test again. The nurse came back and took blood again. My big girl didn't make a sound. She intently watched them prick her finger and squeeze it so they could fill the little vial. He came back and said the counts were still low. Normal white blood count is 9, she was at a 6. Her platelets and red blood count was down as well. He said it wasn't dangerously low, but it was low. He said he gets about 4-5 similar issues a year and 99.9% of the time, it's just a viral infection. He said since she was acting completely normal and the only symptom we have is a fever, he is pretty sure that's what it is. Unless she wakes up with a super high fever or starts acting abnormal, we will go back Thursday for another round of blood work to check her counts

Then he hit me...IF she starts acting different, her fever stays high or her blood work comes back with lower counts later in the week, then we will discuss what to do next. Next would be admitting her to Children's in Houston for further more in depth testing. He said with her counts barely low he isn't concerned with a more serious blood problem. (Then he went into more about the more serious blood problems and I don't even want to discuss.) I understand, he was just talking possibilities, but still. My heart dropped, a huge lump started in my throat and I just held my baby. I called Josh when we got in the car and tried to explain what the doctor told me without getting to emotional but I lost it and started crying as I was talking to him. I knew immediately he was worried about Alex and me. I finally calmed down because Alex was looking at me like I was crazy. Then Alex started asking for a hotdog. Yesterday, she ate about 10 bites of food all day so I was excited she was asking for something. We went straight to the store and picked up everything she was asking for...hotdogs, blueberries, strawberries and lemonade. We came home and she ate 2 huge strawberries, a handful of blueberries, a few pickle chips, a hotdog, a slice of ham then asked for another hotdog! My child's appetite is back!

Josh and I were both sick with worry about our baby. We barely got any sleep that night because we were just waiting for morning to come so we could take her temp. It was 98 the next morning and she was her usual bubbly self! We were sooooo excited!

Today...we went back to the doc for follow up blood work. He just wanted to error on the side of caution and check her numbers again. Her red and platelet counts were back within a normal range, but her white is still at a 6. He said this is completely normal and is no cause for concern. Since she has had a low grade fever the last few days it is taking a while for her white blood count to come back up. We go back in a week for a 4th test to see if they are increasing and we will continue to do som weekly until they are back in a normal range.

My angel baby was so strong and tough this week. She had blood taken 3 times (twice in 20 minutes) and never shed a tear. I tried distracting her with my phone or books and she was only interested in watching them take blood. Josh and I have so many friends that have been soo sweet calling or texting every day to check on Alex. I am so glad to be through with this. Josh and I have been so stressed and worried all week.