Is it Kawasaki? This is the question on the doctors' minds (and ours) currently. To answer it, XX has endured 1 nose swap, 2 'urine inducements' (massaging the bladder to wee wee after a milk feed for urine samples) and 3 needles pokes into his hands to draw blood samples (one of which was suffered in vain when blood didn't come out). They also put in an intravenous cannulation to infuse fluids and medication, in case he needed it. Till now, the the team of doctors are still monitoring his condition and have yet to decide on the outcome, though XX's symtoms seem to suggest that he does have Kawasaki.
To know more about the disease, which commonly affects young children, especially asians, click on this link: http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/medical/heart/kawasaki.html or simply type "Kawasaki disease" in Google.
It all started on Thursday when XX developed a fever. On Friday, the GP diagnosed that it's probably a viral infection and asked us to wait to see if the fever subsides. If it doesn't go away by 5 days, she mentioned we should see the doctor again where blood tests may be needed. By Monday - Day 5, XX still has the fever. This was accompanied by lots of rashes on his torso, fingers and feet. His lips also turned cherry red and he had watery and blood-shot eyes (apparently tell-tale signs of Kawasaki).
XX was also extrememtly irritable, fretting and fussing the whole day. Nothing could please him, he had to be carried around most of the time and his cheery smiles disappeared - totally not his usual self.
His appetite was affected. He will refuse milk, water, even his favourite Ribena, pushing them away or turning his face. We made home-cooked barley and water chestnut/sugarcane drink but he doesn't take more than a few sips. If we tried to push it, he gets angry. His reduced water intake was a concern, so much so that doctors wanted to put him on a drip but unfortunately, during his crying fits and outbursts of tantrums, he had tugged at the cannulas too much and it came out last night, spilling fresh blood onto his pillow and bed (more blood loss!). Fortunately though, he escaped enduring the 4th needle poke in a day as he started drinking some milk, so the nurses agreed to postpone re-inserting the intravenous cannulation to see if he continues to feed better.
So here I am, still in the same clothes for 24 hours, after spending a night curled up together with XX on his hospital crib. Thankfully, Hubby stayed with me and KK was left in the care of Grandmum.
Seeing XX suffer the blood tests was the most trying part. XX is now traumatised at the sight of doctors and nurses. Originally a fussy baby by nature (he doesn't like people to touch his nose, wipe his mouth even), having these strangers restrain him, poking needles into his hand and poking cotton swaps into his nose is too much for him to bear. He brawled his heart (and mine as well) out whenever they tried to come near and collect any samples from him.
XX is now taking a nap, almost 3 hours already. It's been a while since he's slept so long. For the past few days, his naps lasted totalled less than 2 hours everyday. Though his night sleep was better, I couldn't say the same for ours. Our sleep was often punctuated with fussing over him - checking temperature with thermometer, putting wet towel on forehead, covering blanket, removing blanket, tucking in his shirt to prevent him from scratching his waist, offering milk, water, medication or changing diapers (he can poop in his sleep!).
Today, the fever seemed to have subsided. I just pray that XX will quickly recover, Kawasaki or no Kawasaki and I will get to see him laughing again. Maybe then I can catch up on my beauty sleep.
