In the Hospital: Asthma Exacerbation

On Friday, Ellie was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory issues as she had low oxygen saturations. We were hoping we could go home today (Sunday) but unfortunately we get to stay another night. However, we do think that she will be well enough to go home tomorrow. 

ER Friday Night

Last Tuesday night, she was having trouble maintaining appropriate oxygenation levels (typically want O2 sats above 88%) while sleeping even with her albuterol inhaler. I had talk to the on-call doctor and she prescribed steroids.  I feel like I should a listen to my mama guy because I really felt like we should’ve gone to the ER but the doctor told us we did not need to even know her oxygenation levels for 85%. 

She was much better the next day and we had a follow-up with the doctor. She was diagnosed with a  viral respiratory infection via nasal swab and her x-ray showed mucous plugging in her right lower lung, but thankfully no pneumonia. 

Saturday Night

She started to do a lot better but Friday night we could keep her above 80 to 85% and she was breathing fast while asleep. When we got to the ER, she was 81% while awake. We did 2 hours of continuous albuterol and then switch to every 3 hours. Needless to say she was admitted and has been on oxygen since then. 

This morning: Still on Oxygen.  This position is the best for her lungs and seems to be the most comfortable for her.

Her chest x-ray from yesterday showed no pneumonia and she has small little collapsed areas (alveoli) at base of both lungs. She is mainly presenting with an asthma exacerbation related to the RSV and adenovirus. 

We had expected to come home today but she failed when we tried to lower her oxygen last night. We are hoping that she will feel well enough to move around today and hopefully continue to cough up those mucous plugs.