Our BIG Scare

What a whirlwind of events we experienced over the last few days.

Thursday my Mom was watching the baby.  My milk supply dropped significantly in the days prior and I wasn't able to obtain much milk while pumping so we decided to introduce a bit of formula for the first time. I was very conflicted about this and quite disappointed that I did not have enough milk stored, but nevertheless, it had to be done.  That day, while I was at work my mom mentioned that the baby had some redness around his mouth and down the chin where the formula came into contact with his skin.  This faded, but reappeared with the second bottle.  Later that afternoon, I met Luis at the baby's pediatrician's office for  his 4 month check-up.  Shortly after arriving, I noticed that he had a diffuse rash all over- his chest, back, extremities.  It was bright red, like a sunburn; I figured it was due to the formula.  Baby Luis has very sensitive skin, so I was not surprised.  When we saw his pediatrician, he too, attributed the rash to the introduction of the formula; we deduced that he has a sensitivity to cow's milk and Dr. recommended only soy-based or Alimentum formulas from here forward.  Dr. Smith asked if it would be ok if we held off on his vaccinations for that day, because of the rash. Luis and I were in agreement; the rest of the visit went well, and we headed home.

We arrived home around 5:15pm.  Shortly after, I began to breastfeed the baby while Daddy was making dinner. After feeding for about 20 minutes, baby fussed a little so I tried burping then repositioning him, as I normally do.  When I offered him my breast again, he appeared to be asleep so I tried waking him.  He did not respond. I stood up, patted his back, called out his name, and still no response.  His eyes were closed and he was very lethargic. I thought that I felt him jerk on two separate occasions, and I was thinking to myself, please God, I hope he is not having a seizure.  Luis ran over and we took him to the kitchen, turned on the lights, and he splashed cold water on the baby's head.  Again, no response.  I kept checking to make sure that he was breathing.  Luis and I looked at each other and both knew that something was terribly wrong; I told him that we needed to leave to the hospital immediately.  We got in the car and headed to the Riverside Community Hospital emergency room. 

It seemed like forever until we arrived to the hospital.  I was just thinking, I hope we make it in time....we have to make it in time.   I kept patting and talking to him, trying to arouse him.  A few times, he opened his eyes halfway, but it was a struggle.  There was no crying, he was very very weak.  We arrived to the ER and were sent back immediately.  By that time, the baby was fully awake, but still not quite himself.  All vitals were within normal limits upon arrival. However, when they checked his blood sugar, it was 34. (A normal blood sugar ranges from 60 to 110.)  Immediately, an IV was started (painful for Daddy and I)- he received IV fluids, which brought the blood sugar level right up, but about an hour later, he had another episode while I was breastfeeding him. Fortunately, this second episode did not last long. Grandpa, Grandma, and nino Rafi arrived. Next, baby Luis underwent a CT of the brain, urinalysis, blood work, RSV and Influenza wash- each of which were negative/normal. It was decided that this situation warranted further tests and baby would need to be closely monitored, but the ER physician did not feel that RCH was the best place for him.  He recommended a facility that specializes in critical care for pediatrics, namely Loma Linda University Medical Center- we agreed to transfer him, however Loma Linda did not have a bed available.  Now, we had to decide if we would wait there in the ER until there was a bed available, or consider another hospital.  I did not feel comfortable with keeping my son in the ER; in the event that he crashed, I needed to have him at a facility geared towards pediatric care.  So we decided on CHOC.  They sent their transport team over right away; I went in the ambulance with the baby and Luis and my parents followed.

Comfy in his crib at CHOC

We arrived to CHOC at 2am on Friday and we settled into his room on the NICU floor.  The baby was happy, alert, playful.  His normal self.  Fortunately, he was managing very well with all of the people coming in and out of the room to examine him, etc.  He had to have heel stick after heel stick, as we needed to monitor his blood sugar level constantly.  By Friday afternoon, he was transferred to the PICU, as his situation was no longer as critical.  Next on the agenda was more blood work, another catheter and an EEG.  Each of these tests were again, negative/within normal limits.  What was most difficult for the baby, and of course, Luis and I, was the blood draws and multiple IV attempts.  At one point, we asked the nurses to stop with the IV attempts, as our sweet boy needed a break; he was exhausted.  By Saturday early AM, his voice was hoarse because of all of the crying. Our poor baby boy.  We received multiple visits from each team of specialists- Neurology, Endocrinology, Metabolics.  They were unable to provide answers as to what was the underlying etiology of this hypoglycemic episode; they would scratch their heads, run more tests, then return and scratch their head some more. 

Baby remained stable- he was feeding well, tolerating the new Alimentum formula, and his blood sugars remained within normal range. Daddy and I were relieved, however, we felt that he would do much better at home; I was concerned about him contracting a nosocomial illness in the hospital.  Each of the teams signed off for him to be discharged.  We left Saturday evening.

On Saturday, lounging with his new friend "CHOCO"

Baby Luis received exceptional care, but boy, were we happy to leave the hospital!  We were exhausted- physically and emotionally.  We will need to return in December to follow-up with the metabolic specialist and to review the lab results that in the meantime, take several weeks to process.  Grandma and Grandpa were such a tremendous support; first, it was comforting for Luis and I that they were there to lean on, but most importantly, baby had those familiar faces and voices there with him each day.

Baby Luis is thriving!  Thank goodness all is well.  More updates to come.