A feeling so helpless (Our first trip to the ER)

(This took place on March 21, 2011)

I have recently learned what it feels like to be totally helpless.

On Monday morning Kyle woke up screaming(usually he wakes up happy) and had a fever(it was around 102.5). I tried giving him his morning bottle, but he couldn't keep it down :(. I gave him some water down power aid and he drank up that up and kinda calmed down (this was after taking a lukewarm shower to clean ourselves up). I felt so terrible leaving for work, but I knew that Vincent would be taking care of him (even though he himself is sick). During a break / lunch at work I called Vincent to see how both were doing. Kyle still had his fever, wasn't eating or drinking much and had thrown up 2 more times. I called the doctor's office and they had the on call doctor call Vincent back. Basically, they said at this point the main concern was dehydration because of lack of fluids. And that if continued in this way (without urinating) that we should take him to the hospital. So I came home early from work. He looks so miserable that it just tore my heart in two. I tried giving him infant Tylenol to bring down his temp (that had gone up) and more fluids. He fought me on the fluids so much that I was forcing him to drink. Around 5:30ish in the morning Kyle's fever had peaked around 103.7-104, along with that, the not taking fluids and no real wet diaper except one I decided that it was time to go to the hospital. He was such a little trooper at the hospital, but it was harder on me then I thought. They gave him infant Motrin for his fever and zofran for his nausea. They also decided to hook him up to an iv for fluids, as well as take a blood sample and urine sample (via cath). Watching them do all this to my son was so painful and it made me feel so usless. All I could do was lay there next him as he cried and drifted in and out of sleep. Finally, after about 4 1/2 -5 hrs Kyle was able to drink a whole bottle of apple juice and his fever came down. His blood work and urine all came back good, so they released us. Yes, he was dehydrated and the most likely culprit is a viral infection of some kind, and there isn't much you can do it was still a horrible experience. He is still not 100% better with a runny nose and a cough and a slight fever, but this morning he does seem to be in better spirits. I now know what it feels like to not be able to do anything to help my son, but just hold his hand really (well him in his case). I have already made a deal with Kyle...NO MORE TRIPS TO THE ER! I know that this is something that every parent goes through, and it won't be the last time either. I am just glad for the support I had from my family, and even work who let me leave 2 hrs early and change my days off so I could be with my son.