HIGHS and lows

Well, we have had a very up an down month.
It started with waking up on the morning of January 23rd (Addison's birthday) to a baby who was choking and having difficulty breathing. SCARY!! We rushed Addison to the local ER where she was diagnosed with having the croup. The doctor gave our little one a dose of steroids to help open up her breathing passageways. We left the hospital with Addison in better spirits and mommy feeling a little better. But, we were also given the warning that the upcoming nights would be a little rough. And indeed they were!
For the next couple weeks we were woken up several times a night to our baby coughing, choking and having difficulty breathing. There is nothing worse than the totally helpless feeling we had during these nights. The only thing we could do was to take her into the steamy bathroom and hope that would help relieve her congested passage ways.
After two weeks, with little improvement, Addison was finally diagnosed with RSV (a respiratory virus) and again we were told that there was nothing we could do. It would have to just run its course. But, if in another week it was no better, we were to go back.
The week that followed was one of the most difficult that we have ever had to experience with her. Addison became very lethargic. For a week she didn't play, wouldn't walk around and only wanted to cuddle and suck her thumb. We went a week without hearing our little girl laugh. She wasn't our usual joyful little girl. Our hearts were breaking.
So, back to the doctor. Our paediatrician informed us that, on top of everything else, Addison now also had an ear infection. How much more could this little one have thrown at her!?!? So, he prescribed her an antibiotic to help with the infection and a puffer to help with the cough and breathing.
We got her home, gave her the meds and put her to bed. After a two hour sleep she woke up a totally different baby! She was ready to play and we felt elated to hear her laugh. The miracle of modern medicine.
Hopefully we never have to go through anything like this again! Although I am sure this is not the last illness...