When you have a mini heart attack...
It has been very nerve wracking in our home the past two days. Natalia woke up yesterday with a rash on her face and portions of her legs and arms. She had a scheduled doctors appointment to check her ear infection. "Thank goodness". Our doctor decided she was having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, amoxicillin that was prescribed. We were told to give her Benadryl and stop the amoxicillin. The rash would clear up in a few days and she would just not be able to take medications in that drug family. She was miserable yesterday. Clingy, itchy, and very irritable. We spent our day snuggling, sleeping and taking oatmeal baths. When daddy got home, the rash had spread a tad more. We continued our evening relaxing while trying to make Nat Nat as comfortable as possible. We were convinced Natalia was allergic to amoxicillin. I am allergic to penicillin and had the same breakout when I was a baby. I mean what else could it be? Natalia woke up this morning with bright red cheeks. The rash had completely engulfed her whole body. She was running a low grade fever, and breathing harder then normal. I was a wreck. Unsure what was going on. She didn't want to drink and barely touched her breakfast. After speaking with the nurse at our doctors office, we had an appointment scheduled with a new doctor as ours was out for the day. We arrived at the doctor and of course everyone was looking at us with pity, she looked horrible and wasn't her usual bubbly smiley self. One of the nurses commented "she looks so serious today" The first thing the doctor said to me was "she has fifths disease" He must have seen the color drain from my face because he quickly took his phone out and said, " it's not that uncommon and she will be just fine". He showed me pictures of other children with fifths disease and gave me references to read up on the illness. He reassured me it was a viral infection and she would be uncomfortable because of the rash, but would not have any long term problems. After reading about fifths disease, and getting over my mini heart attack, I am starting to realize she is going to be ok. Never in my life have I had a feeling of such utter helplessness. My baby girl's skin is hot. She is miserable, itchy and uncomfortable. She just doesn't feel well. It is very hard to watch as I can only provide love, Benadryl, oat meal baths and snuggles to get her through this horrible time. It never occurred to me she could be contagious to Carlos and I. It never crossed my mind to even care. If she wants kisses and snuggles she is going to get kisses and snuggles. It's amazing how you look at another person with a rash and think "don't touch me". However with your own child, "come here baby, mama will love on you" The amount of love I have for Natalia is overwhelming at times. I get scared because I hope I am doing all that I can for her, excited to see who she will become, and hopeful I am doing it all right. She has taught me so much in her short amount of time here. The most important is to listen to my mommy gut instinct. Sometimes I doubt myself, but most of the time I know I am doing everything the way I'm suppose to. But when I am in doubt. I call grandma and our favorite aunt. It is scary to think, we take our children to the doctor and with one little medicine it can cause a ripple effect and they can get worse, or better. We tend to think our doctors are God and can fix anything and everything. I will never diagnosis Natalia, because I didn't attend medical school. I will however continue to educate myself, ask questions and always listen to my gut instincts. My lil baby girl is at the age where she can tell me if something hurts, she shows emotions and knows when something isn't right. This is the hardest hurdle we have jumped and I just want her to feel better. She is our little angel and we love her to infinity and beyond. I'm sure our next few days will be slow and unproductive. The only thing that matters is this small miracle snuggled up beside me, getting rest and feeling better.