Human Metapneumo Virus

Day #5 in the PICU yielded a name to Jazmin's illness. Human Metapneumo (meh-ta-new-mo) virus. There's not a lot of research online that I can understand, but I'll explain what I do know. hMPV is like the RSV superbug. If you know what RSV is, you'll understand that what we have is a serious virus, and this explains why Jazmin has continued to get sicker instead of healthier. This disease was only discovered in 2001, and has serious repercussions for a child like Jaz who is already "compromised" with her trach and vent dependency. In the most serious cases reported online, the patients needed both oxygen and manual ventilation (ventilator). Jazmin has been 100% vent dependent for over a week, and has been on 4 liters of oxygen to maintain her O2 level. We like her O2 level to be between 93-100%. She has been dropping into the 70% range anytime she is removed from her vent for seconds to suction her, do any cares, etc. When she's healthy she is not on ANY O2. Some studies have shown that 100% of children over age 5 are immune.
So, what does all this mean? It means there is nothing we can do except try to keep her from getting sicker. She is on two very powerful antibiotics to prevent a secondary infection from settling in, IV fluids to maintain adequate hydration, and is receiving round the clock treatment by respiratory therapists, nurses, and her team of Pulmonologists. Jazmin is going to be in the hospital for a while.
If you want to visit, call me, I know she'd love it, but please if you have small kids DON'T come. The boys have already been exposed so they've been there 2x already. I have already been exposed and there is no risk to the baby, so I will continue my daily bedside vigil.
Thanks again to everyone who's been helping us out with the boys. It's very difficult having to chose which child/ren to spend my time with, but knowing the boys are with people who love and care about them has made it much easier to leave them.