Bronchiolosis

Erin started having a cough on the evening after her MRI. Since she'd been cleared that morning by the anesthesiologist with just a normal stuffy nose, we initially thought it was due to the tube for or the effects of the anesthesia.

On Saturday, we thought she was getting better, so we got our Christmas photos taken and even took her to an early Christmas party. On Sunday, Kurt headed out of town to Louisiana for a few days. Unfortunately, that evening her coughing returned and by Monday evening, Erin was running a temperature of 101 F. So, the next day I took her back in to see Dr. Grier.

After five hours, a chest x-ray and lots of waiting in doctor's offices and running errands, I finally made it home with Erin and her diagnosis of bronchiolosis (most likely RSV), with a secondary ear infection. Dr. Grier said Erin probably got a "double whammy" by being at the tail end of her head cold when she was exposed to a child with RSV in her day care on Friday.

RSV, is a type of respiratory virus. It's like the flu in that there are so many different strains that you never develop an immunity. In adults, it apparently mimics a really bad head cold, however in babies, the symptoms include nasal congestion and coughing and last about 3 weeks. It is very serious in babies under two months, and in older babies if they become "air starved". So, I had to give Erin breathing treatments (albuterol through a nebulizer) twice daily. Luckily, after the first one or two, she didn't seem to mind them too much, unless she was hungry, and would nap during most of them.

Needless to say, Kurt's trip was cut short and I didn't do as much for Erin's first Christmas as I would've liked to. However, the most important thing was taking care of Erin; and she's on her way to feeling like herself again.

Update 1/19/09: Erin has been over her ear infection and bronchiolosis for several weeks now and had no unexpected complications or lasting effects.

MRI update

Erin's MRI results are back and they show no underlying cause for her torticollis. According to the nurse, her brain and spinal vertebra are normal. So, that is wonderful news.

However, there were two incidental findings on the MRI. Apparently Erin has 3% extra fluid around her brain/skull. (I'm assuming it's added protection for her big brain!) They assure us that it's normal, is in no way related to wearing the DOC band, and should resolve on it's own by the time she is two years old. In addition, Erin has an "insignificant" syrinx cyst from the base of her cervical spine to the top of her lumbar spine, that 99.9% of the time does not turn into anything. However, it's the standard procedure for the neurologist to make a referral any time there is an abnormal finding on MRI. So, Erin will be going to see a neurosurgeon in mid-January.

Supposedly, all of these tests and doctors' visits are to make us "feel better". Funny, but we felt just fine before, and still think our daughter is perfect just the way she is. :-)

UPDATE 1/15/09: We saw the neurosurgeon. He said that there is NOT a syrinx cyst on the MRI. He also said that Erin's brain is normal. Her skull basically had a growth spurt and grew faster than her brain could fill it. So her body made extra fluid to cushion her brain, but it should all level off by the time she is three. The doctor said some kids just have bigger heads, and Erin probably gets hers from her Daddy. He said "go home and enjoy your daughter." So, we never have to go back because, like we already knew, Erin is just fine. :-)

MRI

This morning at 8 a.m. Erin had MRIs of her brain and cervical spine to rule out a structural cause (such as a brain cyst or scoliosis) for her torticolis. In order to do the MRIs, Erin had to be placed under general anesthesia to make sure she would not move for the hour and forty-five minutes it took to complete the procedures. It was a little rough to wait knowing that something could go wrong while she was under. However, she apparently did very well, although waking up was pretty tough on her little system. She cried inconsolably for awhile, and I was glad Kurt didn't see her until she was out of PANDA and in the recovery room. When she finally woke up and saw him, she gave the biggest grin. She enjoyed listening to Christmas carols on our way out of the building, and then proceeded to fall asleep for the next five hours. Can't say I blame her as it was an early and rough morning for her. We probably won't get the results back until Monday, but we're just glad she made it through and is back to her happy, hungry self.

First Sleet

Erin got her first taste of winter weather Tuesday evening when we went out to a local Mexican restaurant and it started to sleet. No, it's not snow or ice, and it had melted by morning, but around here, that may be the closest it gets for several months.

6 months old

Erin had her six month visit with Dr. Grier. She is almost 29 inches long, weighs 19 pounds 1 ounce, and her head is 45 cm. She is now in the 95th percentile for everything and growing! She is getting her two front teeth (which is all she really wanted for Christmas!) She is now able to have solids other than cereal. So, we've been having a lot of fun in the high chair lately. We are starting her with vegetables and she really seems to like squash. She is however NOT a fan of shots!

Update 1/19/09: At six months, Erin also started to outgrow her reflux, which is on the early side of what we were told to expect. We were able to wean her off the Prevacid without any problems. She still has occasional wet hiccups, but no projectile vomiting, and she is able to lie flat on her back. She graduated to sleeping in her own crib in her own room on New Year's Eve (almost seven months). We sill have her sleep on a slight incline, but that's more for sinus drainage (she had RSV in mid-December) due to the rapid climate/temperature changes here in Austin.

Thanksgiving

Erin celebrated an early Thanksgiving with my parents the Saturday before, so that we could visit Kurt's family in Hammond for the actual holiday. We had a very nice time with my parents, who seemed to appreciate our first attempts at turkey, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

For Thanksgiving, we stayed with Kurt's older brother, Carl Jr., and his wife, Merri. They had over 40 relatives for dinner! I enjoyed meeting so many members of Merri's family, and Erin enjoyed being held by so many new people. It took her several hours to fall asleep after all the excitement.

Erin was glad she finally got to meet her great aunt Fay, and really enjoyed the time she got to spend with all of her relatives. She spent much of her time mesmerized by their glasses, jewelery, dogs, and cameras. She even had the chance to go to her second Renaissance Festival - this time with her cousin Christina, Aunt Merri, and Christina's friends, Sarah and Joey.

I'm glad Erin's first Thanksgiving was spent surrounded with lots of family, friends, and love. We truly are thankful for our daughter and for those people who have loved and supported her and us.