Erin got sick that night, and thus began our excitement. We noticed her heart beating quickly like what had happened in March, so Bob monitored her for awhile at home while I took Anna to her friend Gerald's pool party. Erin kept it up, so we called the cardiologist on call and they suggested that we take her in to either the Apex ED or to Wake Med Children's ED in Raleigh. The Children's ED had a shorter wait time, and we figured it would be better to go there, even though it's further away, since they have more pediatric staff. So, Bob took her over there and Anna and I met them there shortly after. After Bob got Erin checked in, they noticed the rapid heart rate still going on (Erin was stable during all of this) around 200-220, so a big group of doctors and nurses rushed her back to a room, got her hooked up to the monitor, IV, and gave her some adenosine IV. The first dose, 0.1mg/kg, didn't stop the SVT, but the second dose of 0.2mg/kg did. Then she was ok for an hour or so, but then they tried to give her a beta blocker med orally and she threw it up, which put her back into SVT. Repeat the crash cart/rapid response/adenosine drill, and they resolved it. That happened around 6:00pm, and bought us a night in the PICU. Had she only had the first episode, we would have been able to go home that evening, but since it happened again, they wanted to keep her and monitor her. They put her in the PICU in case it happened again and the adenosine push didn't work and they needed to start her on a drip. So, Bob and Anna went home for the night and Erin got moved up to the deluxe room. She had gotten some IV Zofran which helped her feel better. I think we were by far the easiest patient that night based on my being nosy. It was also really empty in the PICU and on the peds floor. She slept well and did not have any more episodes, but was still not feeling much better due to the virus. So, Monday morning, we waited around for her to cooperate with eating and drinking, and we finally got the green light to go home around 4pm with an order for daily atenolol until we saw the cardiologist (who we did not see in the hospital; the ED and ICU doctors spoke to them on the phone).
So, we went home, only to have Erin miss the next 3 days of school due to being wiped out from the sickness, plus the beta blocker was slowing her down. We saw the pediatrician on Tuesday morning, just to get them all caught up on the events of the weekend, and he gave me some more info on the beta blocker. Wednesday was more of the same - she tried a piano lesson and did ok, but threw up in the car on the way home - maybe just from being dizzy, because the virus had run its course, and Thursday I called the cardiologist complaining about her not being able to sit or stand due to the atenolol. They suggested splitting the dose and giving her half in the morning and half at night, and that's worked much better (either that, or her body adjusted to it). So, whew! We were all happy for her to go back to school that Friday and I was able to enjoy a moms lunch at Lucky 32. As if Erin hadn't been tortured enough that week, I thought it would be a great idea to get the kids flu shots that Friday afternoon. Hey, at least we're done now!
That weekend, Erin had gymnastics (a mere hospital stay won't keep her away from that!) and Bob was busy lots of the weekend with the ministry fair at church, which went well. Sunday was our first Little Flowers meeting of the year, and it is going to be a great year! We have 6 girls returning from last year, plus 3 new ones. I think they all had a fun time! Thankfully, the following week was much more calm. Bob had a trip to Vegas and Atlanta, and we ladies held down the fort. Neighbor friend Caitlin and her mom came over for dinner on Wednesday since their dad was out of town that week too. Friday, Anna was invited to a sleepover at a friend's house, but I got The Call at 9pm to come get her. She doesn't know that family very well, so I wasn't surprised. I think she had fun before that point. Saturday was more gymnastics and Bob worked a music festival in Apex. We girls had a great time at neighbor friend Ella's gymnastics party!
The girls were off on Monday the 19th for a teacher inservice, so it worked out great to make a trek to Chapel Hill to see the cardiologist. The electrocardiologist was unexpectedly out of town, so we saw a general pediatric cardiologist. She recommended sticking with the atenolol for now and having Erin wear a portable Holter monitor for 24 hours to make sure that the medicine is controlling her heart rate properly. We are still waiting to hear the results of that. Before the appointment, we had a fun playdate at Anna's school friend Natalie's house and then got washed away in the heavy rain when we left!
The rest of the week was the usual busy schedule with Sawyer, school, piano, ballet, volunteering at school, working out, and I have rejoined the moms Bible study now that Sawyer has preschool on Friday mornings, which I am enjoying. I also got to go eat lunch with the girls on Wednesday and go to neighborhood Bunco that week. Bob and I went out for a yummy dinner on Saturday the 24th to Gonza Tacos and Tequila and had an awesome view of the NC State Belltower! We also had a great time visiting friends Amy, Erik, Bellamy, Dalton, and the two kids they are fostering on Sunday. In between those things, "we" (Bob) built and painted a dollhouse/bookshelf that has become quite a hit around here.
The last week of the month was more of the same, and now Sawyer is tracked out for almost 3 weeks. I have big plans to get ready for the yard sale this Saturday, plant flowers, and maybe even paint the guest room and bathroom (that never happens). We had a great month, but are hoping the medical excitement is over for awhile!
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