First trip to the ER

We had our first trip to the ER last night with Fin.

She hadn't been feeling well the last couple days.  Runny nose, wanting to be held all the time (and I mean ALL THE TIME), lethargic, not wanting to eat or drink.

We thought maybe it was just teething symptoms, but this morning at 2:45 she woke up screaming and burning hot.  We took her temp and it was 103.

Wait .. what?

Did that really just say 103?

Instantly I was thinking the worst.  As in, "Isn't there a risk of permanent brain damage if she's this young (not quite a year old) and her temp gets above a certain degree?"  I have no idea where I read this, or even if it was from a reputable source, but it's the first thing that popped in my mind.

We gave her Tylenol (the highest dose for her age and weight) and put cold rags all over her, which got her temp down to 101.6.  But we weren't taking any chances.  I loaded her up and dh got the car started.  I watched them drive away and for the next 2 hours laid in bed frantic and impatient.

As soon as they drove up, 3 nurses and a doctor were waiting for them.  After getting her weighed (21 lbs, 4 oz) and taking her temp again (101.8), it was time for a chest x-ray.  I won't go into detail but let's just say she wasn't pleased to have her legs, arms, and head strapped down to a board.

The diagnosis: Pneumonia.

Again, I say: Wait ... what?

Where'd she get that from?

And the kicker (as if that wasn't enough)... it's highly contagious.  Especially during the first 48 hours (which would have been yesterday and the day before), and especially to close siblings.  Well, it doesn't get much "closer" than twins, so for 5 hours this morning we cleaned every toy, bin, and stuffed animal.  We washed the sheets, burp cloths, dish rags, and clothes (both clean and dirty).  We wiped down every surface, table, floor, and piece of furniture.  And then we crossed all of our fingers, toes, and anything else we could cross that the rest of us (but mainly Bub) stay healthy.  And that Fin gets better sooner than later.

We also hope that having pneumonia once doesn't make her susceptible to getting it again anytime soon.  Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to me as a baby, so let's hope in this instance she is nothing like her Mommy!