Update 12/27

On both Christmas afternoon and the day after Christmas, I called Madison's Pedi, explaining that she seemed to be feeling worse. Her cough was sounding worse and we thought she developed another ear infection in the second ear. Each time, we were told to continue on her same medication and if not better by Monday, to come in.

We reluctantly needed to leave her (although in great hands!) yesterday as we headed to the hopsital (ugh, hospital) to get our NST. Hunter passed with flying colors and the heart strip looked good.

We didn't sleep at all last night, as we listened to Madison cough constantly. We got her up at 3 am to get in the steaming shower with Mark. She slept in our bed a bit, then went back to her crib. We got her up again first thing in the morning for Mark to take her to a nearby Urgent Care. He, too, woke up very sick.

After a few tests and chest xray, we found out Madison has pneumonia. We are treating it with new antibiotics and breathing treatments with a nebulizer several times a day. Since it's not too severe, if we can keep it under control with these methods, we can avoid a hospital stay.

Mark is headed toward strep throat, so he's on meds, too. He said it was one of the hardest days for him today as he had to see Madison in so much pain and crying out for him. When they took her blood, they had to get a male staff member to lay on her to hold her down. And, when they took her xray, she was put in a plastic straight jacket looking device. She just cried and cried. It's so hard seeing her cry at home each time we have to give her a breathing treatment (which she hates) or give her ear drops (which sting). It's most difficult seeing her body shake as she coughs so hard and then gasps for air. I just hate it and it tears our hearts out.

She's coughing a lot tonight, but I hope by tomorrow she'll improve.