Thanks

Thank you for all the encouragement and your prayers! Although I had just complained about not getting more comments on here, I did not stage the ER trip just to get you guys to comment! =) All of us are doing much better now. Abby's fever broke Sunday evening and she continues to improve, although she is still congested and has a cough. Ben's lungs seem almost completely better and hopefully we'll get the okay at his doctor's appointment tomorrow. I'm doing fine now and am trying to learn about potassium and figure out why my potassium levels were so low so that this never happens again. And because potassium is so important to the body in ways I never knew, I want to share some of the information I've found with you too. =) Here's a quote from webmd.com:

Potassium is both an electrolyte and a mineral. It helps keep the water (the amount of fluid inside and outside the body's cells) and electrolyte balance of the body. Potassium is also important in how nerves and muscles work...Potassium levels can be affected by how the kidneys are working, the blood pH, the amount of potassium you eat, the hormone levels in your body, severe vomiting, and taking certain medicines...A potassium level that is too high or too low can be serious. Abnormal potassium levels may cause symptoms such as muscle cramps or weakness, nausea, diarrhea, frequent urination, dehydration, low blood pressure, confusion, irritability, paralysis, and changes in heart rhythm.

We also figured out through online research that the drug (Albuterol) which we had to give to Ben through the nebulizer is on the list for being dangerous for people with hypokalemia (low potassium). And I found out that potatoes (with the skin on) are the best food for the highest amount of potassium. So, for now, I am trying to be very conscious about increasing my dietary intake of potassium and I've also decided that it's time I find myself a primary care physician that can help me monitor the situation. Any recommendations in the Olympia area?