Generally, our kids are very healthy. They are all in the 100th percentile in height and weight. They have all met or exceeded all of their developmental milestones. However, this winter has been tough for all of us.
Poor baby Cade has had several bouts with asthma and strep throat. It seems like he hasn't really been his happy self for a few months now due to one thing or another. In January he was hospitalized for asthma. At that time we were told to do steroid nebulizer treatments twice a day routinely for preventative maintenance and albuterol treatments as needed for flare-ups. He was doing okay, but not really back to 100%. The first week in February he was a little cranky and I could tell not feeling well, so I took him back to the pediatrician. This time the doctor referred us to a pediatric pulmonologist. We went to see Dr. Smith and loved him! Dr. Smith took the time to explain asthma in detail. He suggested that I try a steroid inhaler instead of nebulizer treatment twice a day. He said that the inhaler would provide better distribution of the medication to his lungs. He even showed me some techniques to get Cade to do it without it being a traumatic event every time. Dr. Smith also explained that in some kids you don't see marked improvement until the child has been on the steroid for 4 weeks. He told us that Cade has viral-induced asthma and will probably need the steroid inhaler twice daily during the times of year that viruses are abundant. Well, we have been doing just as we were told and it is AMAZING the improvement! Cade is breathing better than he ever has and we haven't had to use the albuterol for a flare-up in over 2 weeks! I am so happy that we finally got an answer! Now if those molars would come on through, Cade will be back to his happy, smiley self!
Carson has had a runny nose pretty much his whole life. The pediatrician has prescribed 4-5 different antihistamines, but nothing has ever really made a huge difference. This year with Carson being in kindergarten, it has been especially difficult. Kids can be mean. I decided it was time to see an allergist and get some answers. Our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Dilley and once again we had a GREAT experience. They did allergy testing on Carson and found that he really isn't allergic to much at all. Therefor, he doesn't even have allergic rhinitis (runny nose due to allergies). Well, this would explain why all the medicines didn't work - we weren't even treating the right thing! Dr. Dilley explained that Carson has vasomotor rhinitis, which is basically a problem with the blood flow in the nose and sinuses that causes a runny nose. He prescribed 2 nasal sprays and asked us to get an x-ray of his nose to make sure there is not another anatomical reason to be concerned. WOW! The sprays worked! Carson hasn't had a runny nose in over a week! Once again I am so incredibly happy to finally have an answer. I also took Carson to have his nose x-rayed. Although there is nothing anatomically wrong, the doctor did say that he had a sinus infection, so we are currently on antibiotics for 2 weeks. AND, today Carson is home with the stomach bug. Hopefully he is on the upward swing though and will be back to himself in no time...with no runny nose!!
Kennedi has been my healthy child. She doesn't have tubes in her ears like the boys. She did have a few ear infections as a baby, but nothing like the other two. In fact, Kennedi did not have to go to the doctor one time between her 2 year physical and her 3 year physical. However, when I took her to her 3 year physical the first week in February, the pediatrician heard a slight heart murmur. She referred us to a pediatric cardiologist named Dr. Phillips. For the third time in a few weeks, I was very pleased with the specialist that we saw. The Dr. did an ECHO and EKG. He determined that her heart was completely normal and no problems whatsoever. He said that her heart murmur was innocent and we did not need to make note of it at any time on medical records. She does not even have to follow up with Dr. Phillips ever again!
So, in the span of 3 weeks we have seen a pulmonologist, allergist, and cardiologist for 3 different kids. Overall I am extremely happy with the results! The kids seem to be feeling better every day! Now if we can just make it through the winter without any other major bugs I will be happy! Bring on the sunshine and wash away those bugs!
