The day after Christmas, December 26, 2024, Liam was admitted into the PICU at Mott. Liam had been sick for weeks leading up to this day. Mom was taking Liam to the pediatrician 1-2x a week asking them to listen to his lungs, their response on repeat was this is an upper respiratory infection and this season it is taking longer to get over it. 

The day after Christmas, Liam sounded different and his work of breathing was much heavier. Dad put our pulse ox on him and Liam was stating in the 60-70% oxygen range. When we arrived at the hospital, they did a chest x-ray and viral panel. Liam tested positive for Influenza Type 4 and he had developed Bronchiolitis (his bronchioles in the lungs were inflamed and had thick mucus buildup) and Liam was having a very hard time breathing. 

ENT came and scoped Liam and also determined he had a large adenoid blockage and inflammation. ENT said Liam would likely need an adenoidectomy and he would need a sleep study prior to the procedure. There are long lead times for a sleep study and to schedule the procedure at Mott. Pulmonology also saw Liam after being in the hospital for four days and said to simply monitor him at home on the pulse ox and supplement oxygen as needed. 

We went home after five days at the PICU on oxygen support awaiting a sleep study to be scheduled.