Happy Holidays,

Sorry this is a bit late but I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Here is a picture of Santa and Liam!

We had a crazy week leading up to Christmas including a trip to the ER with Liam which led to a few days of observation. Because of his immune system, with any type of fever we need to get him to an ER immediately. Last Friday, he was taking super long naps which is very rare and that night, he felt warm. Sure enough, it was 100.8, just over the 100.4 borderline. I called CHOP and was told get to St Peters and they would call ahead as should I. Alex drove while I made a ton of calls down there and explained about Liam's history but nontheless, at 6:30pm when we arrived, I had to go through it all again. We were put into the pediatrics ER in our own room and his temp was 102.4, just 20 minutes after I had taken it. We were admitted at 3am and moved to a room, but until then, we had all blood and urine samples, IV started for antibiotics and chest xrays. Of course every other kid there had RSV and were triaged in the hallway! A heart mom's worst nightmare.

Funny moment had to be walking Liam through the adult ER to the xray area past the man handcuffed to his bed being watched by two policemen. My guess was a DUI because I could smell the alcohol.

Around 4am, I went back and got a shower, packed a bag and took a 2 hour nap while Alex stayed with Liam in his room. We were put in isolation so any nurse or doctor who came in had to wear masks, gloves, etc and throw those out each and every time. Saturday morning was his worst moment, I got there about 10 minutes after he woke up and he was burning hot, 104.3, despite the Tylenol. His fever continually went up since we had arrived but this was the highest. He was so upset, hated life, snots out the wazoo and just crying- not our Liam.

Thankfully this last dose of Tylenol finally did it- this was his last fever and bad moments. Other than being unable to really sleep well during the day, we played, he drank bottles but wouldn't eat for us and just wanted to cuddle. All the blood work began to come back with nothing positive for what could be causing the fever. He had five rounds of IV antibiotics and by Sunday afternoon, we asked if we could leave. We were more concerned about staying in the hospital and exposing him at this point.

We were at the pediatrician the next morning for our Synagis shot anyway so Liam had an exam and the attending doctor at St Peters and our pediatrician had the same answer- viral head cold, will take him a few days at home to get rid of it. Its been over a week and he is still trying to kick the congestion- but I have also been sick for two weeks trying to get rid of it and so has Alex. Hopefully we will all get healthy and stop infecting one another asap.

In the meantime, Liam had an amazing Christmas. On Christmas Eve, Alex, Liam and I went to a children's mass and then out to dinner early. We were on the couch in pjs with a bottle of milk and hot chocolate for us big kids to watch the Grinch by 7:30pm and read our Christmas books. Santa went crazy this year as half the living room was full of toys for the little guy but he certainly has earned it. We are doing our best to not open toys until we move, which should be in about two weeks.

Christmas afternoon was the big family gathering and Liam loved seeing everyone, especially all of his cousins and watching them play. It was just a wonderful day, something we missed last year since we stayed home to keep him healthy.

At the end of the day, we are very lucky with his health- since being discharged in March, we have had only two ER visits and only one fever. He has done really well and is a fighter. The new year will only lead to greater things for Liam, who is now a whopping 23+ lbs. I cant believe he was 5 lbs only 13 months ago...the kid likes his food! I hope you and your families had an amazing holiday and if you're on the East Coast, enjoy the snow!!