Leaf Pile and Pulmicort
Some days I really think I must be crazy for wanting to move. Tuesday was one of those days. My helper neighbor girls came over and played with Lydia in the backyard. Before I knew it, they were organizing a leaf-jumping event. Brilliant.
My very cautious daughter wasn’t sure how to jump into a pile of leaves, but after some demonstration and coaxing, she caught right on.
Luke was happy to stand by his playset and melt his mother’s heart every time he smiled at the camera.
Luke went to the doctor Monday for the chronic cough he’s had since his ER visit, and really since before that. We were having to give him albuterol, an asthma rescue drug, every day by last week. He was coughing and wheezing so much, and it was just more than my poor nerves could handle. Rather than waiting until his 12 month checkup, I decided to take him to the doctor sooner, and I’m glad I did.
She prescribed Pulmicort, which is an asthma prevention drug given to children. I had a little sticker shock when I picked it up at Walgreens. That stuff is expensive! Anyway, we noticed a difference the very first day he had it. No more coughing! Pulmicort (and albuterol) is taken using a nebulizer, which is a little machine that hooks up to a mask we hold near Luke’s face. The mask puts out the medicine in a vapor, which Luke breaths in. We (and I mean three of us) usually watch a Baby Einstein video while Luke gets his breathing treatment.
The doctor is not calling Luke’s condition asthma yet, but it sure looks like we’re headed down that road. I’m thankful we live in a time and place where modern medicine is so accessible. I guess 100 years ago Luke would have just spent his childhood years coughing? That’s rough.
Janet Saxon says:
Amy, 100 years ago babies died from asthma-related illness (croup, acute bronchitis). We are indeed blessed to live in a day when these life-saving drug treatments are readily available. I’m still infuriated at the price, though, because that means many many children do not get to benefit from the gifts God has given his people.
Janet Saxon says:
That boy of yours has the most infectious grin!
Keith says:
He’s getting real good at giving hugs now too. Whenever we pick him up after he’s been sleeping, he’ll give a hug around the neck and snuggle. So sweet…