Monday, April 20, 2009

Could you say a little prayer for us?


I don't normally ask people to pray for us (or at least since Ellie has come home), but I just have to confess that I feel like our family needs a few prayers sent up on our behalf.

Ellie has (yet another) double ear infections. We've been battling this (I suspect the same one) for quite a while now. Last week, in the middle of her antibiotics, she slept through the night twice. We felt like new people for two days. Now, she's up repeatedly through the night. Last night it was almost every hour. We are very, very tired. Not sleeping is really affecting both Kevin and I. There is only so much good coffee will do, ya' know? Ellie seems to make up for her sleep lost in the night time by taking some really good naps during the day, but I'm certain she is tired too. Josh? Well, he sleeps through anything; he's just got grumpy parents.

I'm going to call our pediatrician today. Ellie has been seeing the weekend doc at her ped's office because it seems she always gets these on the weekend. I need to talk about the possibility of tubes for her. Three infections in three months is two many, I think. I suspect she has the ability now to sleep through the night as we've seen, but her ears are keeping her from restful sleep.

I can't keep going at the pace I'm going with so little sleep. Driving to KY twice a week after no sleep is becoming a bit dangerous too as I'm so very sleepy and the drive is lengthy.

So, if you could spare a prayer or two over the next few days, we most certainly could use it and would really appreciate it.

14 comments:

Stahnke said...

Andrew to had several ear infections his first year, and he was always sick with some sort of a cold and fluid coming out of his nose. Then when we discovered that he couldn't hear well because of all the fluid in his ears. That is when we defintely needed to get the tubes. You may want to see a pediatric ENT because they are the most knowledgable about these issues and they do best on making the decision of the tubes. Since October when Andrew got him, he has been a new kid. Aside of an upper respitory infection in December, Andrew hasn't been sick at all with any kind of cold with the fluid coming out his nose, or any kind of ear infection. Plus he can hear now! It has made all the difference in the world. I'll send a prayer your way!

Mom to 2 Angels said...

Poor girl!(and mom and dad) I hope the doc can offer some help.

Jennifer G. said...

Sorry to hear about more ear infections. How many different antibiotics have been tried? Some are better for ear infections than others. Also, consider having her ears tested for MRSA infection, which can be resistant to most ABX. You may want to consider that before the tube route, as she seems young for that already. Good luck!

multimom said...

I will definitely keep you all in our prayers. I know when Bethany has her cranky nights, how very exhausted and worn out I feel the next day. I can't even imagine how you and Kevin are managing to function, and of course, the discomfort that poor Ellie must feel, too. Fingers crossed that you get some relief soon!

Ellen

Jeanne said...

When they have ear infections, lying down increases the pressure so she's probably very uncomfortable. My son had all kinds of infections for the first few months of daycare. As for sleep, our doctor gave us a bit of narcotic cough medicine for him and it worked like a charm!

I really sympathize with the lack of sleep. Can you have someone come in and help at night so at least one of you can rest?

Dee'Anna said...

She did not sleep good today either. I hope she gets to feeling better. I hate it when one of my babies are sick. She played good but did not want to eat or sleep. Maybe in the next couple of days she will feel better.

Lori said...

I second checking for MRSA (you'd be SO surprised at how many little ones are turning up positive these days!) and consulting a pediatric ENT. Unfortunately for every person in our family, ear infections, fluid, tubes, shunts, hearing loss...the works--runs rampant. I don't have a niece or nephew who has not needed consultation with the Ped ENT and didn't end up with some sort of shunt, tube or something...the good news is that once evaluated and treated, all recoveries have been wonderful. My little nephew had a pretty significant amount of hearing loss due to fluids, and his speech suffered for it. Once the tubes went in, voila--less than a year later he had completely caught up in hearing and speech.
Definitely sending prayers your way!

Kelli said...

Yikes- I hope the sandman visits your house soon. Aiden only has rough nights once every week or so. I can't imagine how exhuasted you must be. Definitely saying a prayer for you!

Julie said...

Prayers are there!
And BEG for the tubes if you have to. They are the SINGLE BEST THING we ever did for our son. BEG them I tell ya!! He got them at 10 months of age!!! Really I was so kicking myself after for not getting them sooner. He went through so much pain before them.

No one wants to put their kid under anesthesia, but they are out for such a short time. Then the doc just pops one tube in, flips the kid over and pop the other in. They will call your name before you even finish your cup of coffee--I SWEAR!!!

Mayme said...

I'm feeling your pain my friend and hope that things improve soon. Emma just got her tubes 3 weeks ago and I know that she is hearing much better. Now listening is another thing altogether!

Hope sleep finds it's way to your home soon. Also, have you given her any Tylenol or Motrin before putting her to bed?
Mayme

Hilary Marquis said...

I have one word for you, TUBES! Anara got them last winter and she has only had one ear infection since and it drained and she didn't even require an antibiotic. The surgery is a breeze, they will bring her back to you in 15min! We will pray for you guys. Hang in there. Those ear infections totally disrupt their sleep routine and you have to start over everytime...at least we did.

Jackie said...

I have no experience (knock on wood) with ear infections, but will certainly send good thoughts your way!!!

Margaret and Tom said...

Knock on wood, there have been no ear infections here either...except for the bilat ones she had when we took her to the Ped the second day we were home since she was so sick with the cough and cold. I can't say she has always been a good sleeper, and in fact we were up last night with her teeth (I think). I feel your pain with the sleep, prayers are on the way. Drive safely...and maybe try "abusing" a little caffiene :) to make it through this...(Love my coffee!) But seriously hang in there Maria, it will get better!

Anonymous said...

Consider you prayed for!