Late Night Excitement

There are lots of good things about the winter season that I like such as; the holidays, endless cups of hot chocolate, and curling up in a blanket on the couch with a good book. Those three things make me very happy! Unfortunately though, there is a negative side to the season in my eyes that I could for-go. I am not a fan of the sun going down so early and the feeling of dry, chapped skin, no matter how much lotion I apply. But more than anything, I am not a fan of the runny noses & cold germs that make their way into our household this time of year.

Just a little over a week ago Andrew fell victim to the common cold. His cold really only manifested itself by way of a runny nose and cough, nothing too unpleasant. So it was a surprise to me that on the night of the Civil War game I came home from work to hear that Andrew needed to be monitored. Spencer explained to me that Andrew was laboring to breathe. Unfortunately, we have had some experience with croup in our household so I was fully aware of what "laboring to breathe" meant. I checked on Andrew immediately, who was sleeping, and after just a short glance at him I knew I had to take him to the hospital. I arrived in the emergency room around 11:30 p.m. and was out the door just a little after 2:00 p.m. After giving Andrew some breathing treatments and taking x-rays of his chest the doctor determined that he had Bronchiolitis, a viral infection in the lungs. I guess it's like a form of Bronchitis, only in kids. No antibiotics were needed, but they did send me home with an inhaler. I was grateful for the quick attention we were given in the emergency room. Note to self - if you want fast service in a medical facility, tell them you are laboring to breath. Works like a charm.

So it's now 2:30 in the morning as I pull out of the hospital parking garage when my low fuel light comes on. Not good! So I decide that my best bet of finding an open gas station at this hour would be on 185th. As I pass all the exits along the way I notice that not a single gas station is open. Almost in a panic I call Spencer and ask him if I have enough gas to make it home. He said No, and was against the idea of me even trying. Visions of Andrew and I sleeping in my car flash into my mind. Fortunately, we did not have to sleep in the car! A Shell station was open not too far off the highway and I profusely thanked the gal who filled my tank for being open so late. My luck even got better because next door to the gas station was a McDonald's so I treated myself to a strawberry milkshake. Actually I really needed it to sip on so I could stay awake for the remainder of the trip home. It was a long night but I finally made it home safe and sound feeling grateful to have a healthy little boy sleeping comfortably in his bed!