Last night my 15-month-old daughter Julia woke up around 9 P.M. crying and coughing like a rasping seal. She was hunched over in her crib fighting for breath. Our pediatrician, on the emergency phone line, instructed us to put Julia next to a hot shower. If her condition didn't improve, send her to the nearest emergency room.
Ten minutes later as her breathing worsened, my wife Carrie took Julia to Little Company of Mary while I stayed with Julia's twin sister Natalie.
Carrie called me this morning, around 5 A.M., to tell me Julia is fine but will need treatment for 48 hours because in part she may have asthma.
I never knew what croup was before. Now I do.
I never knew what vulnerability was until I became a parent and my child became very ill ... Im glad to hear she's feeling better.
Posted by: Ed S | May 20, 2011 at 06:51 AM
Jeff, does this illness also put Natalie at risk?
Posted by: Tom Welch | May 20, 2011 at 09:00 AM
Jeff - I remember having this when I was very young. I think I was put in an oxygen tent. I also had asthma as I child, but I outgrew it. Best of luck.
Posted by: Gary | May 20, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Good lord. So glad she'll be OK with treatment; it must have been a terrifying ordeal. My little brother had an accident a few years ago; we just found him lying on his face and bleeding, without a clue as to what happened. I thought he might be dying and it was the most awful feeling I experienced apart from the recent loss of my father. Anyway, best of luck to you all.
Posted by: Ulysses | May 20, 2011 at 10:57 AM
We are praying for sweet Julia. If I could drive I would be over to help- I am so sorry I can't. Talked to Carrie this morning and she sounder good and said the 2nd treatment seemed to work better. This to shall pass.
Posted by: Sara | May 20, 2011 at 11:03 AM
There is an old saying to the effect that to have a child is to give a hostage to fortune. Only parents know how true it is. Be glad we live in an age of medical miracles.
Posted by: Bill Bush | May 20, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Good luck to you and yours Jeff, soon you will learn the joys of the nebulizer.
Both my kids had several month stretches of 4 times daily inhaled drugs. They eventually grow out of it.
Posted by: TomWc | May 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM