DownSyn Forum

[HAnd]

We are all sick over here with a bad head flu. My 2 year old came down with it first and is still struggling with it over 2 weeks later, then my husband and Kyle and finally me. Since Kyle is so little his airways couldn't handle it and our pediatrician advised us to go straight to the ER. We got to spend a lovely 8 hours there, with me in the first 2 days of this and trying to pretend I wasn't sick. I did not know that croup was an actual physical restriction of the airways, I always thought it was just a description of a type of cough... not an actual diagnosis. Go figure, being a Mom for 10 years to a little boy with athsma hasn't taught me everything yet . They were very cautios about giving him the heavy duty medication because of his heart but after hours of nothing else working and an okay from his cardiologist they finally did and his lungs finally popped back open and we finally were allowed to go home. I am hurting so bad today because I spent all day yesterday ignoring the fact that I was sick and yet I am still supposed to be taking care of a sick 2 and 9 month old.

I thought it was amusing at his doctors office when he voiced concern that Kyle had only gained 2 oz in the past 10 days and I said "Here you are concerned but I'm happy that he gained 2 oz because I was afraid he had actually lost weight again". He was just pointing out the reasons why we needed to go to the hospital... one of them being a very obvious sign that his body was working too hard, yet again.

This is our 2nd major illness. He had RSV in Febuary but we were (barely) able to manage that at home thanks to my previous knowledge with my older sons asthma and support from our doctor. His weight gain also dropped off significantly at that point. Who knew croup would de-rail me like this? Is it always going to be like this for our little guy? Anytime he gets anything we'll have to head to the ER? and he will struggle to maintain, let alone gain weight?

It honestly wouldn't have been as tough to handle if I hadn't have been sick on top of everything. I've done the ER many a time but never with me being sick too. I think it should be illegal for a Mom to get sick when her babies are sick too. It makes me wonder if he is going to get the asthma/allergy card like my older son also. So many things are the same between the two of them. Only my older son started having ear infections at 5 months but then, the drs still can't see Kyle's ear drums, so who knows, maybe he has had infections and we just can't tell.

I think I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. The funny thing is I could handle this, no problem, in a well state. Being sick is a whole other matter though.

_________________
-Heidi wife of Kevin and Mom to Nikolai-12, MaryKate-11, Sara-4, and Kyle (T21)-9/27/09 is a big brother! To Eon- 9/2/12

[Emdad]

I sure can't predict the future.
Our little girl had some issues (tracheal malacia - a soft airway) that made her kinda fragile for about a year. It was (seemingly) constant reflux, keeping her away from potential infections (hardly going anywhere), and not leaving the house without spare outfits for everyone.
I think, for most of us, the first few years involve a lot of Dr's appointments, some ER visits, and therapists that are really taxing. For us, it's gotten much better.
Your post made me tired for you. Don't know if you can get any help/rest/relief from those around you; sometimes you gotta ask. . .
I'm trying in my roundabout, incompetent male way to say I'm sorry, and I hope that you all get better, soon. Rant away all you want to here.

[maggiebeth25]

i hope you have some family near-by that can come over and lend a hand....i know i would be over there to help in a second! hang in there!

_________________
Maggie, mom to Rachel (9/19/09), duodenal atresia repair on 10/26/09, VSD closed
and Charlie (8/12/11) MSPI
www.maggiefluck.blogspot.com

[Tigger]

Talitha spent a lot of time sick in her first 18 months - and lots of visits to the ER and time in hospital. Often I was sick too and, like you, trying hard to pretend I wasn't so I could stay with her. Somehow things just started sorting themselves out after then and by the time she was 2 she was getting more robust. She was on low dose antibiotics from around when she was 1 to 2 because she kept getting sick but hasn't needed them since.

After she had her T&A she has hardly been sick - only about 3 times on antibiotics in a year which is incredible for her.

So it usually improves as they get older. I was careful but I didn't wrap Talitha up in cotton wool and she has now developed a good immune system.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

[HAnd]

Thank you everyone. My husband, who is still sick but over it enough to be in and out at work, stopped by in the afternoon to take a quick nap but ended up changing two poopy diapers and carpet cleaning where my 2 year old threw up on the floor and getting lunch for everyone and putting the babies down for nap, then out the door again. My 8 and 10 year old kids are amazing helpers today too, I turned all 2 year old watching/entertaining/diaperchanging duties over to them. I have my sister close by that would help if I asked but she is 7 months pregnant with her 5th baby and I would feel awful if she or her family came down with this. I guess I just needed a personal pity party. I don't feel any better yet but I rested a lot more today and didn't attempt to do anything but sleep and nurse Kyle, in and of itself an exausting undertaking Thank you for being here for me to just vent to for a minute. A couple more days like this and I should be back to my cup-is-half-full self. At least Kyle is obviously feeling better today. Sleeping better, not crying constantly, the steroids last night have continued to do their job keeping his airways open too. Him being better helps me taking care of myself easier.

_________________
-Heidi wife of Kevin and Mom to Nikolai-12, MaryKate-11, Sara-4, and Kyle (T21)-9/27/09 is a big brother! To Eon- 9/2/12

[Tigger]

Very glad to hear you are feeling a bit better and that Kyle is breathing well. Praying you all continue to recover quickly.

_________________
Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

[grantsmom1]

Wow! That's a lot to handle in a few days. I'm sure you learned a lot about croup, but I wanted to share our croup experience with you. Any time Grant gets a cold, he gets croup or a sinus infection, it seems. He has adenoids out and sinus surgery, so the sinuses are improving. The croup is scary. We are used to it now, and as soon as we hear something that sounds a little like croup, he is into the dr getting the steroids. They know us well enough now, they don't doubt us. The dr can usually tell even if it's just starting. There has been one or two times he couldn't hear it, but believed us and gave us the prescription. If you catch it at the very beginning, it makes a HUGE difference. If we wait even one night, it is a night up in the bathroom with the steam and holding him upright so he can sleep. That's when it's the worst... when they are laying down/sleeping. I hope as Kyle gets bigger, that he can handle it better and you won't have to go to the ER every time!

_________________
Robyn
Grant (6/06 DS), Logan (12/08 )

[Kasey]

Hope you all feel well soon, so glad you have those girls to help out!

_________________
Kasey, mom to Paige (4), Leigha (0!)