The Flu & other hospital adventures

Braylen started coughing the day after Kincaid had his surgery & I didn't think much of it even though he's my one who never gets sick.  I figured he had some junk running down his throat like most residents of Vegas do at this time of year.  So, on the recommendation of the pediatrician at his well check up, we got some cough medicine & went home.  By the time we got home he had a temp of 104.  He curled up in his new (orange) sleeping bag & watched movies all day.  By the time he woke up on Friday morning, he was cool again but still coughing.  Friday night, Kincaid started coughing & was warm.  I was up checking on him every 2 hours & rotating Tylenol & Motrin for his 104+ fever that wasn't coming down even with the meds.  Finally, at 5:30 am, I had enough of the unrelenting fever, so I packed up the boys & we headed to the ER...our 3rd visit in 4 weeks.  His temp was 104.5 & they drew blood cultures, did a nasal wash for influenza & started an IV, along with more Tylenol & Motrin.  Cheryl came & picked up the big boys (a lifesaver)!  His nasal wash came back positive for Influenza A & after some IV fluids, we were discharged with a script for Tamiflu, a follow up appt on Monday afternoon & a temp of 101.  By the time we got home with his meds, I was feeling pretty bad as well.  Fever, cough, body aches, chills....Kincaid & I snuggled & slept most of the day while Mike & Cheryl kept Braylen & Tucker busy all day at the Roos & More Zoo, church & homemade pizza.  By Sunday, I was sure it was the flu for me as well, so I got some Tamiflu called in as well.  Monday, I woke up after not a great night & received a phone call at 7:30 from the base clinic.  I figured they were calling to remind me of our appt that afternoon or to change or cancel the appt.  I was extremely surprised & very scared when they told me that Kincaid's blood cultures from Saturday had grown bacteria.  They instructed us to go to the ER immediately...do not wait for the afternoon appt.  Basically, they told me that he was very sick & would get sicker if I didn't get him to the hospital immediately.  Shaking, I called Cheryl & arranged for Braylen & Tucker to go to her house.  She also arranged for Wanda to meet me at the ER.  They drew more blood cultures, started an IV & started him on IV antibiotics.  They admitted him while they waited for the preliminiary (24 hours) new blood cultures.  To make a long story a little shorter, we were discharged the next morning after the dr discovered that even though the computer documented that they had drawn his 1st set of blood cultures from 2 sites, I only remember them drawing it once.  The 1st set of cultures grew 2 bacterias but they were normal bacteria found on your skin...it was just contaminated blood cultures.  We spent 24 hours in the hospital on IV antibiotics & although I was annoyed that they not only drew the cultures incorrectly the first time but documented it incorrectly, I was extremely glad they took the precautions they took.  Tucker was the only one who escaped  & I am very thankful he did :)