Sickness Shenanigans.

This has been a very interesting week.

Lots of sickness.

Sickness at work. Sickness of the little man, my own sickness.

My patients at work were especially challenging this week. Loud, intrusive and non-redirectable, it made group settings challenging and tiring.

I got called Tuesday because Camden had thrown up at daycare. I went to pick him up, and he proceeded to vomit all over himself in my car. Ew. No fever. No other symptoms.

I called the doctor's office. They proceeded to tell me that the normal pediatrician was off, but they had someone covering and if I could be there in ten minutes then they could see me. Halfway across town I knew there was no way. I asked to be connected to the nurses' line and they weren't able to answer right away, so I left a message hoping they would call me back.

I proceeded to get the dog and then drive home. Almost in the driveway I gave them another call, by this point I have been seething over the fact that the doctor couldn't wait to see me despite the fact that it wasn't even 3:45, and their hours are until 5. I mean if you are going to have someone cover for you and your office hours are until 5, wouldn't you think that means that the person would cover until 5?   The nurse finally picked up and by this point my blood was boiling. She heard from a mad mama bear, and ended up cutting me off stating "the doctor is still here, come now and we will fit you in". Thankfully, cause I might have just switched pediatricians the next day if something hadn't been done. I was THAT mad.

The lady covering was a super nice lady. I brought my diaper clad toddler in, coming only in the skivvies was necessary as there was vomit on everything else. Shoes included! She checked him out and of course he was acting okay, but I was most concerned about his ears. He was acting the way he acted before tubes. Not eating, no fever, throwing up. Sounded like an ear infection.

She checked out his ears. She looked in the left and went, "Perfect". Right ear? "Oh no, I don't know what to tell you". I think I said something along the lines of, "oh you can't do that, you have to tell me! I need to know!". She looked again. She moved around and peered some more. Finally, after what seemed like five minutes - I felt this because I was definitely holding my breath) she explained that it looked like the tube was coming out. She stated it looked to be covered in ear wax, and it was red and inflamed.

She ended up writing an anti-nausea prescription of Zofran and told me not to give him milk and just wait and see. She thought most likely he had a virus. A virus that causes no fever was surprising but hey - I'm no doctor. I just like to think I am. ;)

We came home where the little one again refused to eat. C asked for milk, but I held out. He ended up eating a few goldfish and applesauce before he went to sleep.

The next morning we woke to find him sleeping soundly on a crusty pillow of dried vomit, next to an equally vomit-covered Mickey Mouse. Ugh, poor baby. That has to stink and to not cry while throwing up and go back to sleep? Whew. Again, the only other time he did that? Ear infection.

We cleaned him and the bed up, and I called my mom who thankfully cancelled all of her appointments that day so she could come stay with him, while Husby and I worked. Have I told you all how awesome my mom is? I mean seriously, THAT is unconditional love!

He didn't eat much all day, but I finally caved and gave him milk before bed. He kept it all down and has been okay since, still his cranky/fussy self. About halfway through the day yesterday I had my mom rummage up leftover antibiotic ear drops and give them to C. It really still seemed to be ears bothering him. I mean, red and inflamed, but you get no prescriptions? (there I go again, thinking I'm a doctor).

He's has just a few drops to help with any redness while that tube falls out. The silly kid apparently likes them now, because tonight before bed he pointed at them and said "drops" and then pointed to his ear. Who would have thought after all of the flailing around in the past? He did manage to make it through a whole day today of school, just with increased fussiness.

Anyway, he seems to be better but Mom is a little worn out. And my allergies are kicking my butt. Anyone else have the problem lately? I can't stop sneezing and my sinuses keep trying to block up. I work this weekend, that means I am off tomorrow. That is why I am up typing this on a Thursday night to post! Speaking of this, I'd better run. Tomorrow is my only day to sleep in for another week or so!

Just remember, too blessed to be stressed!

Ears, Part 734560

Okay, not really. But it sure seems like that is how many times I have blogged about Camden's poor ears recently.

We went to the ENT last week. With me helping by holding Lil C down and the ENT's med student pinning his head, the ENT used this skinny little sucker tool (yes, that's the technical name) to suck a bunch of the green goo out of his ear. He mentioned that he did have a middle ear infection and he believed it to be a result of having a non-functional tube for those few weeks. He said that the goo did build up in his eustachian tube and became infected, and thus started to drain out of his ear once I dislodged the clot. This means the poor kid had been walking around for a good week with an ear infection, because that's how long it was draining/gooing. At least having the tubes meant that he wasn't really bothered by it. He was a little uncomfortable at times, but no where NEAR how bad it was before tubes. Sleeping was not bothered, so that's a HUGE deal.

I figured the ENT would put us on an antibiotic. Much to my surprise, this was not the case. Instead he gave me a recipe for a vinegar/water/Domeboro solution to boil on the stove and use that to irrigate the ear for five days, twice a day and to use ear drops 3x a day for a week.

Camden has been amazing when letting me put mineral oil in or drops. But squirting three syringes full of a vinegar solution (read: painful burning solution)?? Didn't go over so well. He would CRY and CRY after we were done. No amount of book reading, Mommy cuddling, blankie snuggling, or paci loving would get him to stop crying for a good ten minutes. The very definition of losing ones shit.

Thankfully, our five days of horrid irrigation is over and we are just in the drop part. Unfortunately, our toe still being infected caused us to be put on oral antibiotics anyway. I suppose his ear is destined to heal no matter what. His toe though? Still looking funky. Not sure what is going to happen with that. We will see after our ten days is up.

AND ALSO? My Mom-tuition was right. Camden officially broke his third tooth through on October 6th. If I remember right, his first two were at ten months old, so it was about time. It appears to be the top, front right tooth. I can't tell if the other one will be following behind it soon or not, we shall see!

This also means he has not cut a tooth without having ear issues or being sick of some sort. I have no idea how he will cut teeth when he feels well! I will say, I had no idea he cut his tooth until BAM! there it was. Knock on wood, I hope that's a good thing.

le Sigh.

This week, I felt like church was directed right towards me. We are doing a series called Passing the Test. It was discussing the trials that God gives you and how they are important to make us stronger. Many times it was mentioned that if you aren't being tested, then something isn't right.

The verses that really hit home:
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:2-5

My goodness, the pieces to the puzzle suddenly fit together. Husband and I were given these issues with Camden's health and well being to develop our perseverance. And despite all of the issues related to these medical problems we should be joyful that God chooses us to take this test, to help us grow our wisdom and to learn from this. I am ready to catch our break, but I do view it in a completely different light. We are definitely blessed to be tested!

Here's to healing!

Myringotomy: Update

I mentioned in Camden's 13 month letter that we went back to the ENT for our two week post op and his right tube was covered in a clot and was non functional. We were told to put three drops of mineral oil in it nightly for three weeks, massage it in and hope for the best. The doctor said "this works eighty percent of the time. The other times we have to go back in and fix it with surgery".

Yikes. Surgery again? Not a fan myself, neither is the bank account.

I've been faithfully putting in the drops and have been praying over him, along with family members, that this clot would resolve.

He had his fall Thursday at daycare and he fell on the right side of his head. I can't say if that may have helped or not, but this is what has been going on all weekend.

{Thursday night}

{Friday after running errands}

Now, it looks gross and it really is pretty oozy. Of course it didn't start hardcore oozing until 5:15 on Thursday evening so I called Friday as soon as the ENT office opened. When I finally got a call back I heard what I was hoping to hear, "That means you are doing good Mom! Keep putting in the oil and call us back Monday with an update. It's a good sign if it's oozing".

(I don't think I have used the word ooze this often in my life)

Anyhow, this was the news we were hoping for! So I will continue with the drops and call back on Monday. Maybe this means it is resolving, I won't know for sure until someone looks in there. But I do know that Camden definitely feels the oozing as he keeps sticking his finger in his ear. Gross. But, oozing. Yay!! Praise the Lord!

I am just so thankful for an almighty God who can heal the sick!

Myringotomy.

Well many of you know that Friday was a big day in our household. It was T-Day! In an attempt to relieve little man of his chronic otitis media we went ahead with the myringotomy procedure.

Camden was a little rockstar through the whole procedure. When we woke him up and put him in his carseat that morning he was a little confused. Normally he gets some milk, a change of clothes, and his hair and teeth brushed. We skipped all that in lieu of letting him sleep later.

We headed to the building where the procedure was done. We checked in and were given a little teddy bear. It wasn't long before we were taken back to the pre-op room. This is where Camden had a blast. He was pulling cords, running around and pushing wheelchairs. They offered us a wagon to put him in and pull him around but at this point we didn't think he'd stay put. He was more than happy to explore with his own two feet! Then we put him in his ADORABLE little hospital gown. SO cute.

{Oh please stop with the adorableness of Toms and a hospital gown. Isn't that precious?}

{messing with the wheels on the wheelchairs}

{walking the halls with Mommy}

At this point we had lots of nurses and anesthesiologists checking in on us. Our nurse of the day was SO sweet and told us that she had already prayed for all of her patients for the day. Melted. My. Heart. How awesome is that? It wasn't long before they came in with some Versed and we had a little drunk midget on our hands. Literally. He was feeling SO good. Laughing and pointing at things, and constantly wanting to do little backbends and emitting sweet little giggles when he would go over backwards while we were holding him. Husband and I were laughing as he was being so ridiculously cute. We hardly got to enjoy his "happy meds" before the nurses came in with a warm blanket and wrapped him up and carried him off to surgery. He didn't have a care in the world that he was leaving us, he was having a grand time! As they were taking him away they kept warning us that "this happy drunk baby probably won't be here when you come back. Some kids have a bad reaction".

{doing backbends and giggling with Dad}

I think we sat in the waiting room for a whole 15 minutes before they paged us to go see him. Met with the doctor first who said that his left ear was worse than his right and that the fluid was "very thick and needed to come out". He also said "it was good that you did this, he should be hearing better as well". He then took us back to see our little boy in post-op. He was being rocked and hadn't yet opened his eyes. I got to hold and rock him and he was having a bottle of glucose water at the time. Homeboy was THIRSTY as he sucked it down. Next thing I know his eyes pop open with frustration because he was out of water. They got him another and he was perfectly content again. Then we had the same issue. We ran out of water again. So they got him some juice, but he doesn't really drink juice so he didn't care for it. So we gave him his paci and all was well. I knew he wanted milk but they kept telling us to wait until we were home and to make sure he's okay before giving him some.

{In post-op drinking some glucose water. He still wasn't sure what was going on}

Now that he was awake and vitals were stable we went to the recovery area where they monitored us for 20 more minutes. I was overjoyed to get some Camden cuddles. He sat patiently and was quiet with his paci, no fuss at all! He passed all further inspections and held down his water so they sent us on our way!

{In Recovery, where we reunited with our blankie. Thank goodness for blankie and paci, they are your favorites!}

Once home I gave him his milk and he sucked it down, only burping up a small amount on me. Afterwards we ate some late breakfast and then he took a 3 hour nap that I had to wake him up from. He spent the rest of the day in a great mood, acting like nothing had happened.

{After the car ride home}

The next day we got a letter from his nurse in the mail. How cute is that?

{Seriously. LOVE. THEM.}

Since this surgery he has been nothing but pleasant. He is acting fine and like nothing happened. The best part? The very best part is seeing him play and move around without clutching his ears or the side of his head. Nothing confirms a Mommy's intuition better than seeing a happy baby. Now lets keep our fingers crossed for health!!

(PS- Yes I cheated and took a camera and pictures. But I'm glad I did!)

Ears, Part II (Alternately titled: Hand, Mouth, Foot...What???)

Well, we went to the ENT. Little C was ADORABLE while he was there. He had napped well and just had a snack so he was a good little booger. He played in the play area then they called us back for a hearing test.

First thing they do is put this little rubber stopper in his ears and get a reading for the amount of pressure in the ear. This showed fluid behind the left ear, the right ear was okay at the time.

Next, he sat on my lap and they shut the door, and then played sounds out of speakers on either side of the chair. It sounded like a heartbeat when it played and if he looked the right direction he was rewarded with a monkey that would light up and play the drums. Ohhhh boy did he find this game FUUUUN! He thought that by waving he was setting them off. So he would stare intently at one and flail his arms around trying to set them off. He was babbling and GAH GAH GAH-ing and it was adorable. There were plenty of times when it would go off and he would completely miss it until she set the monkey off on the other side. So then he would snap his head around the other direction and continue waving to get it's attention. He didn't do so well with the quieter noises but he did really well turning to his name.

In the end, he had mild hearing loss. We met with the doctor who was very nice and explained the risks and benefits of tubes. In the end, we decided to go for it and we set up an appointment for Monday the 29th. I was pumped because Camden has still been waking up at night and crying out, so I knew something is still off, so sooner was okay with me.

Fast forward to today. I get a call telling me that my insurance wants pre certification so they had to push it to NEXT FRIDAY. (sad face). And I had already done a twenty minute pre-op with the other location for Monday! Boo.

In conclusion, a week we must wait.

*****

So I picked up Camden from daycare today and noticed that what I thought was a diaper rash had spread to his legs/arms and hands. EW! I called the pedi real quick to get a once over before the weekend, especially after I noticed what appeared to be little blisters on his fingers. OW!

Turns out it is Hand, Mouth, Foot Disease. What is that you ask? Me too, cause I didn't have the FAINTEST idea. It is a highly contagious viral infection. It is something that you cannot fix but also cannot prevent therefore he does not need to be isolated or kept home from daycare. There is nothing extra I can do either except Caladryl and monitor. Then he said "It is likely to get much worse before it gets better". Awwww, that is no fun!

This leads me to my next question....CAN WE PLEASE CATCH A FLIPPIN' BREAK?? Lol. Poor kid has had it rough lately!

Cheers to a better week next week!! :)

Ears.

Well it is no secret that we have been having ear issues at our house. We got our first ear infection in April and since then it has been a vicious cycle with varying antibiotics and poor sleep habits. I have done some research for different options on how to fix this problem. Chiropractor? ENT?

Hm. Chiropractor you may ask? Well, Mommy groups out there swear by having a chiropractor work on your baby and you won't even need tubes. The story is that the neck gets turned from being in the birth canal and this causes fluid build up in the ears.

Say what? Sounds interesting doesn't it? Well, I did some research and found opinions but not much real written literature regarding this. So, I turned to good old Facebook, and proceeded to message an acquaintance from high school that is now a chiropractor in town. He told me the benefits of his profession and went on to explain that he didn't know much about using chiropractic care on little ones to reduce ear infections. He gave me different scenarios and options. In the end, he actually spoke against it, which rather shocked me. He said that he didn't feel that he could recommend it as there hasn't been enough peer-reviewed empirical research regarding treatment and babies. WHOA. He also said he did not know of anyone in the area that works on little ones that he would recommend.

So, thus leads us to our ENT appointment. Today. I am sure hoping that this doctor will be able to give me some insight and we can get this straightened out. I do feel that tubes are the best option for us at this time, and I feel better knowing that I did research my options.

Now can someone please fix Camden, and quick? I am so tired of seeing him holding his ears, sticking his fingers in there and fussing, and even grabbing them while sleeping. Surely that means something is fixable, right?

More to come.