Ear tubes are out!

The ear tubes are out. 

 

 

Remember putting them in? 

 

Well, they were irritating her ears.   After being in for almost 2 years and they were ready (they were supposed to fall out on their own!).  She got an ear infection where blood was coming out of her ears instead of puss.  Although, this is a bit shocking, it’s not as horrible as it sounds.  She wasn’t complaining about her ears hurting, or even feverish, just saying that her ears were popping.  When we were coming over the mountains in August, at the top she was crying a bit.  Which is weird, since ear tubes are supposed to prevent that, unless they aren’t working properly…

 

duh duh duhhhhhhh

 

Ding ding ding!

 

So, with the first round of antibotics down, which actually cleared it up nicely from the outside, a few days later ---- blood in her ears again…

 

I wasn’t going to the pediatricians again…  They would just refer me back to ENT or give her another antibiotic.  So, I called ENT myself and with the symptoms, they had us come in within a few days. 

 

The diagnosis:  They were irritating her ears and needed to come out.  The left one was plugged, which was why her ears weren’t clearing over the mountains. 

 

Unfortunately, the ENT doc put “easier to fall out tubes” than Alex’s, which were easily removed in clinic with tiny little tweezers and some serious bribing to stay still.  Sara’s were supposed to fall out within a year or so, but since they hadn’t and were a different shape and material, they would rip her eardrum if he pulled them out.  So, going under anesthesia was the only way.  Seriously?

 

Well,  Children’s is the BEST!  We got a fast appointment right in Bellevue.  We had been to the Bellevue clinic before, but had always had the surgeries to place the tubes in Seattle.  The quickest surgery was in Bellevue, so we were lucky.  It’s a new facility and designed so smart for the little ones. 

 

First, the elevator is always the coolest part.  We had packed her a backpack with all sorts of distractions and toys (new).  She was so excited to find out what was in there.   Since it’s surgery, you have to have no food past a certain time, and for Alex (who’s HUNGRY in the morning) this was challenging.  But, for Sara, it wasn’t too bad.  She doesn’t seem like a wake up and eat as fast as she can kind of gal.  Not a problem at all, but the distractions are nice. 

 

 

 

But, the waiting room was so cool – that we didn’t really need it!  Painting!!!!  One of Sara’s favorite things.  She painted many rainbows and had so much fun and this was just the waiting room.  They really think of the kids here. 

 

 

 

Then we got called back to her pre-op room.  In Seattle, it was a room where they prepped her, but then would take your child from you to go to the OR.  Or, if you’re me – they you beg/borrow/steal and swear you’ll be OK – and beg them to let you gown up and carry your child back to the OR so they won’t be so scared.  I did this with both kids and it was great.

 

But, this was EVEN BETTER!  The room where she would be put to sleep was right there!  They had the moving Brave going, very kid friendly, and we did all the pre-op in this room.  There was a bed there and we would be able to stay right there with her. 

 

I must say this was genius!!!!

 

She peacefully went to sleep to the sleeping gas they gave her – flavored with strawberry scent.  Her favorite fruit.  We held her hand and she was so peaceful.  They took her to the OR on the bed and we were escorted to another room to wait the 10-15 minutes.

 

At Seattle, there was a recovery room where we couldn’t go.  So, not only do you not be there when your kid goes to sleep (although I did and was so glad I did), but you are definitely not there when they wake up.  Even though I tried to beg/borrow/steal my way in.  Promising that I wont’ touch or do anything that they didn’t want me to.

 

At Bellevue Children’s, they wheel her back into the room with her still asleep  - genius!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She stayed asleep for ~5 minutes more, and the nurse assured us she was good.  The longer it took her to wake up, the better.  She was getting all the sleepy meds out of her system.

 

Then, with one big breath – she was up and awake.  She sat up groggily and I was able to be right there. 

 

 

 

We snuggled for a bit, with a precautionary barf thingie. 

 

 

 

But, she knew what she was after.  The nurse didn’t even have time to start naming the colors before she answered “green” to the question of what popsicle color she wanted.  She scarfed it down. 

 

The ENT doctor came in to let us know how it went.  He said that the ear drums had grown behind the ear tubes, so that was what it was causing the problems.  He said removal was easy and she was good to go.  We will be back in ~ 2 months to check to make sure the hole has closed and everything looks normal. 

 

 

 

Then, I also brought some muffins and other things to eat and she ate those too, with some help from Dad who was “starving” since he hadn’t ate since 7:30 am. 

 

 

 

 

She was quickly back to our normal “Brave” girl.  It’s funny that the movie Brave was showing in the first room, because I had bought her a Brave barbie with red hair and all.  It was one of her “new” toys that day. 

 

 

 

 

We went home and Lance went back to work.  Sara and I watched movies, played with stickers and snuggled.  I tried to get her to nap (I was tired) but with no luck. 

 

Overall – it was a great experience.  I’m glad those ear tubes are out, we loved them while they were in and working – but hasta la vista baby – when they are not. 

Ear tubes for Sara

 

 

 

After 6 months and 6 ear infections – we were ready!

 

Ear tubes worked perfectly for Alex and we were ready for some miracles with Sara’s ears.  There is nothing wrong with her ears, it’s just the Eustachian tubes are so small and relatively flat in young kids.  For some kids, it makes it so they get recurrent ear infections that impact quality of life, the vast majority have no problems at all.  In time, as they grow, kids grow out of this stage.  Just like Alex did.  He had his tubes removed this summer and hasn’t had any problems since.

 

 

It was an early Christmas present for Mom and Dad – these little tubes. 

 

 

First, we get to the hospital and “Bobo” the monkey gets a bracelet too, just like Sara.  And then you get this lovely gown and “one size fits none” socks that don’t stay on (very long).  Sara was calm and her usual happy self through all of this.  I don’t know if it was because of this calmness, they didn’t give her any of the valium like relaxer that they gave Alex prior to surgery.  But, no matter – she didn’t need it.  How different two kids can be boggles the mind sometimes!

 

 

Some quiet snuggles with Dad and Mom before the procedure and before you know it – it was her time to go.  We were the first surgery of the day and we were ready. 

 

I asked, once again, to be able to take my child back to the OR and get her comfortable.  They agreed to let me go back and I got all doo-ded up.  I took her back to the operating room and she was calm as I laid her down on the table.  They placed the mask over her face and allowed her to breathe the gas.  She didn’t really like this, so I helped hold it there.  It only took a few breaths and she was out.  They escorted me out, I thanked them for allowing me the opportunity to do this as it is so much better for me and her.  Otherwise, they would take her from us and she would start crying/screaming and be put to sleep that way.  This way, she sees my face back there and goes to sleep seeing my calm face. 

 

 

It was literally like – 6 minutes – before the surgeon came out and said her surgery was done and it went well.  She had an ear infection at the time and placed the tubes in her ear drums.  We had to wait a bit longer for her to get out of recovery (~20 minutes) and then we got to see our sweet baby.

 

She was calm and just wanted to snuggle and said very clearly “purple” when asked what color of popsicle she wanted.  In fact, after she scarfed that one down, she asked for another purple popsicle.  And some juice. 

 

When Alex came back to us after recovery for his ear tube surgery, it was a whole different story.  He was crying and hysterical.  It took a good 10 minutes to calm him down.  How different two kids can be.

 

Another thing I really appreciate about Children’s is they allow the kid’s stuffed animals back with them, so it was comforting to know that Bobo was going to be there when she woke up in recovery, but we weren’t there yet.

 

 

 

We were getting ready to get outta there – changed her clothes back to her pj’s - And then was the time for a full out breakdown.  Fall down on the floor, screaming, no reason/logic, no cuddle, no nothing… except the warm blanket on the floor for a few minutes. 

 

Then, perfectly fine again and ready to go home.  You never know how surgery is going to affect you, but after we got home it was a pretty normal day for her.  Not overly groggy, just wanted to play and eat/drink, and play some more.

 

The best part is that they ear tubes appear to be working really well.  She’s had ~3 colds already and no ear infections (knock on wood). 

 

Yeah ear tubes!

Sick little Sara

 

 

No fun when you have a fever and don’t feel good – no fun at all!  Sara had another ear infection this past week, two days at home with Mom and Dad. 

 

First day was Doctor appointment and first doses of antibiotics, sleepy and just wanted to lay around, not wanting to eat and not wanting to take Tylenol or any medicine.  Second day home was party time, antibiotics were kicked in, and it was Mom and Dad all alone to play, party, play all day.  She couldn’t go to preschool that day since she had a fever the day before. 

 

Needless to say, we have the ENT(ear nose and throat doctor) appointment scheduled with Children’s Hospital, after 4 ear infections in ~ 4-5 months (and during the summer months, which is not usual).  In the month waiting for the appointment (ENT is very hard to get in to see them), we are expecting another.  Then, in the month to schedule the surgery, another one. 

 

No fun to have to go through all of this, but ear tubes were a miracle with Alex and we are hoping for the same with Sara. 

 

Sara is watching a cartoon in these pictures below, and fell asleep not long into it.  It feels better to sleep leaning up, since laying down flat hurts your ears when you have a bad ear infection. 

 

Wish us luck, another ~ 2 months to wait, but the light at the end of the tunnel (sleep, kid without ear infections) is priceless. 

 

 

 

Ear tubes – out

Remember way back when – 3 years ago when Alex got ear tubes?

 

Yeah – it was a long time ago (in kid years)…

 

Well, at the ripe ol’ age of 4 at his pediatrician checkup, the doctor said we should get them checked out by an ENT since they hadn’t fallen out yet.  Yes, that did ring a bell, but we weren’t in any sort of rush.  Even though it had been 3 years ago, the remembrance of 6 months straight of ear infections and actually how little sleep we were both getting just comes right back to you.  right back!

 

The ENT (ear – nose – throat pediatrician specialist doctor) is usually tough to get in to see them.  First, you have to have a referral.  Then, you call and they have an appointment 10 weeks from now.  When you have a kid with ear infections this is excruciating long.  OK, I’m exaggerating – it was like 4 weeks.  Then, you have the appointment, say your kid is the classic case for needing ear tubes and you schedule the surgery for another 4 weeks out.  Agonizing since all of this is with an ear infection…. the whole time. 

 

But, we did make it to the appointment.  The surgery went well.  Alex was 18 months old and was not a happy camper after he came out of recovery (below).  He was scared, not feeling well due to being put under. 

 

Well, needless to say – we weren’t happy or expedient about them being taken out since they had worked so well.

 

We called the ENT and asked for something…. like… way out – like August.  Sure, that sounded good.  By the time they would schedule the surgery to remove them, it would be like December.  Perfect, we thought.

 

We arrived at the appointment at Children’s and got Alex out of school in the middle of the day.  He asked if there were any shots at this appointment (smart boy!), we said they were just going to look at his ears, ask him about his ears, nothing else.  (lesson 1 – don’t promise things you don’t know anything about!)

 

They did look at his ears, said indeed they were still in and looking good.  But, they should probably be taken out.  We were told when they were put in that they would probably fall out within 1-2 years.  But, if not, then they would be taken out. 

 

So, we were discussing things with the doctor and he was showing Alex how he would take them out.  You lay on the table, he takes a bright light and uses a little tiny tool that just pulls the ear tube out.  Lance and I were wondering why this super-duper highly paid doctor is taking so much time showing Alex how it would be done….

 

Then, he said – he can take them out right now. 

 

Uhhhh – don’t you have to put them under anesthesia?  No, it can be done right here, he says. 

 

By this point Alex was freaking out… “No, I don’t want them out (scream, scream, tears, tears!)”  Which was totally understandable since we said they they were only going to LOOK at his ears (see lesson #1 above). 

 

The doctor could see that Alex was quite upset and suggested we just schedule the surgery and put him under.  So, the choices are to take them out now with no drugs, or put my child under and take them out and spend way more money.  Hmmm – option one please. 

 

We talked with Alex and he was not happy about it.  As we laid him on the table to start the process, I asked him what super hero he wanted to get because he was being so brave. 

 

Just like a scene from Christmas Story where he asks for a red rider BB gun, Alex asked for a Thor superhero, with a hammer (just like on the Avengers cartoons he loves).  He was so brave, and we of course, said absolutely.  It was a very fast procedure, but it did cause him to be quite upset because it was probably loud and a little uncomfortable to have them removed.  But, we were very glad for no drugs, way cheaper. 

 

Then, the ENT mentioned that we could keep the ear tubes (they are tiny so they were put in a jar!) and put them under his pillow for the “Ear Tube Fairy”. 

 

Oh My Goodness – he has just realized there is something called a tooth fairy – so an ear tube fairy was very exciting.   He was fine by the time we got out of that exam room and was talking about the ear tube fairy. 

 

In the morning – the ear tube fairy brought a Spiderman action figure.  Just what the doctor ordered!

 

 

 

After ear tubes were put in Alex’s ears – September 2008

 

 

And some bonus pictures of what he was like at that time – just the same as he is now.  Spunky, loving outdoors, pushing the envelope (and Mommy and Daddy), daredevil… and on and on.

 

 

 

 

 

Perforated Eardrum

 

Sara was sick with a croupy cough a few weeks ago, then had a runny nose cold the week after that, but was getting better.  Not letting it slow her down one bit. 

 

Until last Friday when she took a turn for the worse.  It started out just cranky and clingy, not wanting to be put down and just wanting to be held.  By Friday afternoon she had a mild fever and was pretty tired.  We let it go since the fever temperature does have an immune system function, it wasn’t too high.  We let it go Sunday, thinking she must be getting better soon, the fever was still at about 102 degrees. 

 

But, she didn’t. 

 

In fact, I found two little brownish spots on her pillow on Sunday and thought it was odd.  Then I noticed her right ear with some brownish crusty stuff in there.  Ok, things are starting to seem suspicious…

 

So, Monday morning after struggling about whether to take her into the doctor or not, but she was still fevering, and now had some yellow crusty stuff in her ear, I finally decided to do it.  She is obviously teething, too.  And had a goopy eye.  So, I thought that the least they would say was that she was teething and to wait it out. 

 

She was so puny by the time I took her to the doctor on Monday afternoon, she would just sit in my lap.  (I did get some good snuggling time in, though).  She obviously didn’t feel good and she didn’t look good either.  She didn’t even mind the doctor listening to her chest and just sat there.  He looked in one ear and said “Oh – I think I know what’s causing this” (an ear infection), but then looked in the other ear and said “Well, this one has burst” (perforated eardrum). 

 

 

 

Now that makes a Mama feel guilty!  I’m SO glad I did take her in, but I can’t believe I was even thinking of not taking her in!

 

Now she’s on her first antibiotic for 10 days at 13 months old.  The doctor even commented on how healthy she has been and how she has not visited the doctor for anything other than her well-child visits. 

 

We hope this medicine kicks the bugs out and no more ear infections and burst eardrums!   

 

The ear drum should heal on it’s own in the next few weeks and she’ll be back to her old self. 

 

 

 

 

 

Sure brings back memories of Alex’s ear infections and ear tube adventures, though. 

barf boy

Almost two weeks ago (?) Alex wasn’t feeling good and was so tired.  He went to sleep at his usual time, but woke up about an hour later.  He was making funny sounds, I can’t really explain it, but I knew something wasn’t quite right.  He was nauseous and was fighting it, but since he’s only thrown up once (intussusception) he didn’t know what was happening.  We took him to the bathroom and hung out by the porcelain thrown for a while, but nothing substantial.  But, he didn’t want to leave.  We tried to coax him back to bed, but instead he just laid down on the bathroom floor (classic, isn’t it?).  So, I finally brought him a pillow and blanket and he slept half the night there. 

 

No worse for wear in the morning. 

 

All better.

 

 

 

surgery day, a day in pictures

What would a baker do without flour?  What would a painter be without paint?

What would a photographer do without her trusty camera? 

Well, we don’t have to answer that question because, of course, I brought my camera!

Arrival and check-in, playing with toys in the lobby

Comfy chair and Alex’s quilt, Daddy and Sara keeping Alex entertained, Alex and his teddy bear “Marshmallow” 

NOTE: Alex has on an ID bracelet, so does Marshmallow (Children’s Hospital is WONDERFUL with kids!) (obviously)

Some good ol’ ‘Don’t smile’ pictures – they work wonders on Alex!

They gave Alex some relaxing meds (think valium) and he sure got a little loopy.

Playing with the throw up thing, I don’t know what it’s called…

For those of you with any doubt, Sara has some eyelashes!  Just like her big brother.

I asked, and the doctors allowed me to come back to the OR with Alex when it was time.  I had to wear a special clothing covering as well as a hairnet and mask.  I carried him, Marshmallow and his quilt and laid him on the table, they gave me a chair to sit right next to the bed and hold his hand.    Alex chose “root beer” flavored gas and was a little non-compliant with the doctors and nurses.  He didn’t want to keep still enough to keep the mask on.  He kept on moving and saying that I looked like a doctor.  The doctors tried to distract him with asking him questions, and I ended up having to ask him if he “wanted to do it the hard way or the easy way – it was his choice, he is a big boy”.  He decided to do it the easy  way, but said he wanted his Mommy to do it – so I took the mask and held it over his nose and mouth.  (I think the doctors were really impressed!)  He fell asleep after maybe 30-45 seconds, very peacefully.  I was shown were to go back to the waiting room and so I left the OR.  I thanked the doctors for letting me come back to the OR with him.  Although, I’m sure he would’ve been fine, I hope my presence there comforted him.

Mama and Sara waiting in the cafeteria after Alex was taken back to surgery.   Daddy and Sara waiting, waiting, waiting…

Alex after surgery, Alex was not feeling well at all, he was crying, cold, shivering and wanted to be held immediately.  He snuggled with me a while, then snuggled with Daddy and got to eat popsicles and graham crackers.  He slowly got better and better and we changed him into his favorite “warm” fleece pjs to go home.  Alex in a wheel chair going out to the car.  He wanted to do the wheel chair “by myself!”.  Although Lance did most of it, he did do a little bit by himself.  Anesthesia and surgery are no match for the stubbornness of a 3 1/2 year old.

At home – watching a movie with Dad on his iPad, eating a lollypop (Alex’s special request)

I got many activities for Alex while home recuperating this weekend, beads, stickers, clay and many other things.  So, later on this evening, when he just didn’t want to sit and watch another cartoon, we did clay and made bead candy canes for our Christmas tree this year.  Alex’s favorite color is blue, so he made and all blue candy cane. 

I think he will be feeling much better Friday.

Here’s to our strong, brave, wonderful little boy.

antibiotic #3

Update: Alex just started taking his 3rd antibiotic. :(

Background: A few weeks ago (when his primary care provider was gone) Alex was sent home from daycare because they thought he had pink eye. He did NOT have pink eye, we knew this. He just gets goopey eyes and rubs them when he has a cold, which he did have. So, in order to get him back to daycare, we had to take him to the Dr. and have the Dr. say he DIDN'T have pink eye.

While at the Dr. office, he did prescribe an antibiotic (antibiotic #1) since Alex's snot was pretty green and he'd had a cough for about 2 weeks. He was diagnosed with "sinusitis". I really thought long and hard about giving this to him, since he actually seemed fine. He had a cough and some snot, but he had a cold. He seemed mostly fine.

Well, we did decide to give it to him. And he got better.

But, on day 8 of a 10 day treatment (while on vacation!) he got sick again. Coughing and snotty. I thought this was really strange since he was on antibiotics. I decided to remember this, since it was odd to me and file it away in my memory.

Good thing I did. It was my new motherly instinct and it turned out it was right.

"Day 11" (means first day with no antibiotics) he was really, REALLY sick. He slept all day - very odd for him. He was extremely snotty, bad cough and now really goopey eyes. So much so that his eyelashes would stick together in the mornings. :(

As I said - we were on vacation.

"Day 12" he was still sleeping all day and each of us had to trade off with having our baby boy (who was now one year old) sleep on us all day while the other one would take the dogs down to the beach and get some fun for them. We decided to find a doctor and get some help. Something wasn't right.

So, now he was diagnosed with sinusitis, ear infection, and eye infection. He was given antibiotic #2 for a 10 day treatment.

March 24th (Monday) was day 5 and he wasn't really any better. I have never experienced a baby having an ear infection, although I've heard many stories. Although, it wasn't quite what I thought (screaming all the time) - he has been very cranky and very unlike himself. Nothing is quite right and there has been lots of screaming/crying. Just not continuous, thank god!

By day 5 the antibiotic should be working - I thought!

Things are so busy for us right now and so we decided to take him to his regularly scheduled 12 month visit, today (Wednesday). My instinct was right, again. His ear infection was not gone and Dr. Pregnant with her 3rd child confirmed this. (She is a great doctor, by the way. I have found that you can like a Dr. when things are good, but find out that you don't like them when things go bad. But, it's pretty bad and I still like her quite a bit.) She prescribed antibiotic #3, supposedly very strong along with some ear drops that help with pain. The pharmacist says it is a very good antibiotic and he should be much MUCH better in 3 days!

That's Saturday.

We can't wait for our little man to be his happy self again. We were beginning to wonder if his crankiness would ever stop.

We are hopeful, but I am really paying attention to my instincts since they have been right on when concerned with him.

P.S. We knew he didn't have pink eye. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I didn't give him antibiotic #1... or if his regular care provider would've been there... or if a lot of things. I guess this is motherhood. I'm glad he's got the pain drops - makes a mom feel better.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday day to Alex. We are celebrating in our own way, with just our new 3 unit family. And it is a celebration. Although last year was very scary and I can't even comprehend what happened (still) sometimes, we are celebrating the life if Alexander. That's what it's all about - right?

Not about me or Lance, but our new life we created - our son. His birthday.

Now, since he can't decide and tell us what he wants to do - us parents made all the decisions this year. Like having small family parties and the decision to go on vacation and get away from it all.

But, our little, ususally spunky one year old, is pretty sick - so sick, in fact, that I am taking him today to see a doctor. Seeing a doctor on vacation wasn't one of the things I thought we would do down here. He's got a bad cough, runny (extremely) runny nose, and eyes that are watering really a lot. He's been pulling on his ear, but not crying and screaming like I've heard happens with an ear infection. But, I want the doctor to look anyways. He is also very tired and has been sleeping a lot. Quite unlike our little one year old man. He just seems to be getting worse, not better. So, better have him checked out.

We love being here at the beach, but pictured much more time at the beach. Since Alex is so sick, it's been sharing taking care of him, while the other one takes the dogs to the beach alone. So, I think we've decided to come home one day early. Not a big deal.

2nd day of work/school in 2008

1st day of sick time used

Alex had to come home on the first day back around 2 pm! He had a 101.7 degree fever which we thought was just caused by teething. He's been drooling and chewing on everthing again. But, he now has a stuffy nose and a bit of diahrria. Only one so far! The daycare limit is 3!

I get 10 days of sick time - today = 9 days left for the rest of 2008.

9 days left/12 months = 0.75 day/month (doesn't seem like enough???)

Maternal Fetal Medicine visit

Tuesday I visited Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Evergreen Hospital after my initial appointment 3 weeks ago. These are the high-risk pregnancy doctors “perinatologists” (I can’t even imagine how much money they make an hour). I asked for a consult on my pre-eclamsia case and to tell me what the risks are for another pregnancy, if/when we choose to consider this in the future.

The most significant risk factors for pre-eclampsia are:
-Previous history of pre-eclampsia
-History of chronic high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disorder
-Family history of the disorder
-Women with greater than 30% Body Mass Index (BMI).
-Multiple gestation -Over 40 or under 18 years of age
-Polycystic ovarian syndrome
-Lupus or other autoimmune disorders

I don’t have any of the other risk factors except for the history of pre-eclamsia.

And this is why I wanted to go.

Also, when all this was happening to me so fast in the hospital and the many months after I’ve felt totally out of control with my health. I had no idea what was going on and I had to trust my doctor and many others around me to do the right thing, take care of me and make the right decision.

Partly, I think that I have been very healthy and to now NOT be healthy has been a shock. Also, it’s very cliché … but, when you have your health you don’t think about it much verses when you don’t have your health. And partly, I was so exhausted when Alex was first born I didn’t have the brain power and energy to do anything other that take care of him and myself. I was in pure survival mode.

I asked the doctor about my future likelihood of getting pre-eclamsia again, why it happened in the first place, and what would be different (in terms of monitoring me) if/when we decide to have another baby.

Overall, I was glad to hear what he told me. He told me that although my future likelihood of getting pre-eclamsia was higher, I would be monitored much more. Like ultrasounds at 6, 12, 18 weeks and beyond! I would be monitored by both the normal OB and the high-risk OB.
He told me that the pre-eclamsia can be caused by a deficiency in folic acid due to a problem with metabolizing it and that even though I was taking the recommended 800 micrograms of folic acid in my prenatal vitamins, that wasn’t enough.

They tested me for the gene marker for that folic acid deficiency and I came back homozygous (or positive) for one gene that controls this metabolism. There is data that also suggests that a clotting disorder might play a role in pre-eclamsia and so they tested me for this as well. This came back negative. But, he said that they are finding new genes every day so, just because the 10 or 15 markers that they tested me for came back negative – that doesn’t mean that years down the road when they have more markers to test for that I won’t come back positive for a clotting disorder, as well.

It is very complicated and although I don’t understand much at this point, I will try to explain.
He said that I was a “classic” case. 1) strong family history of high blood pressure (HBP) 2) migraines. He said that blood pressure/pulse rate and pre-eclamsia are connected as well as the clotting disorders, folic acid metabolism and migraines.

I am to take 2 mg of folic acid (4 mg if/when I were pregnant again), baby aspirin (for thinning blood) and 25 mg of Atenolol (beta-blocker for HBP/pulse) a day. These are to treat/prevent problems in the future. All of this medication, along with the fact it will treat/prevent problems related to pre-eclamsia/HBP/pulse/clotting/folic acid disorders, it should help me with my migraines!

Although it took about 6 weeks for my BP to come down to normal after Alex was born and since then it has been fine, the doctor told me that BP isn’t the only measure of heart system health - - - pulse rate is also a measure.

Guess what?

My pulse rate is high (resting pulse rate of ~92-104 bpm compared to the normal person of ~60-70).

I have “pre-hypertension” and that by treating this now it would be much better for me in the long run. Since I’ve been back to work and working hard at work, surviving the layoffs, and working hard at home with an active little boy - I’ve been feeling anxious. Or what I thought was anxiousness.

It seems like it could’ve been the high pulse rate. The feeling that your heart is pumping fast and you need to calm down. Even though, I felt like I didn’t need to calm down. I felt fine, mentally during these episodes.

I knew that I would have hypertension – because of my family history at some point. I just didn’t think it would be at 30 years old.

I guess it’s like the weight loss surgeries - - - the sooner you treat the problem, the better off you are because then you don’t have 20-30 years of damage. In my case, this could’ve been 20-30 years of HBP/High pulse rate taking their toll on my blood vessels and heart systems.
In the end, he said that there was a good likelihood that I would be just fine and that treating me now for these issues will prevent problems in the future.

He also told me to have my parents (MOM and DAD!) take more folic acid since the HBP and folic acid are connected, and that this could help them. I also got one copy of the bad folic acid gene from each of them.

It can’t hurt!

I am still trying to syntesize everything that the Dr. said. So much information!

2nd time ever, continued

Seems like Lance has tonsilitis, not strep. He is on antibiotics and is feeling better today.

Since he didn't really eat since Thursday of last week - he is feeling pretty weak and needs to regain his strength by eating healthy foods. So far, he says that mashed potatoes and gravy, soup, yogurt and frozen yogurt sound good.

He is back to work today - crazy Lance! Hopefully he will come home early and rest.

I'm going to need a vacation after all this----it reminds me of people who are single parents with babies. Up all night with baby, take care of everything during the day (work for me), come home and take care of the entire house, along with a sick husband - - - Repeat.

I haven't had a chance to rest, yet.

Hopefully this weekend.

2nd time ever

Lance is sick and called into work. When he called in at first - he said that he would try to make it in that afternoon. But, I reminded him of the fact below and he called back and said he wouldn't be coming in at all.

Fact: I've known Lance for 9 1/2 years and there was the 1st time Lance called in sick - bad Teriyaki - Food poisoning.

Then, today. The 2nd time ever.

He's had a fever since Thursday, fatigue, joint aches and a sore throat. Sunday his fever was about 103.2F. Seems like the flu, but his throat is really sore now, along with the fever from 5 days ago. We'll see what they say.

He's got a Doctor appt this morning at 10 am.

Daddy medicine, cont

maybe return to daycare Friday?

P.S. Alex returned to daycare on Thursday.

Daddy Medicine

Alex is sick AGAIN. He had to come home from daycare this morning becuase we decided to send him off... even though we knew there would be a 99% chance we'd get a call saying that he needed to be picked up. Last time this happened I stayed home with Alex, but pretty quickly he was feeling like his spunky self - and I had to drive to Renton, then on to work in Bothell. So, needless to say, we sent him off.

He has a fever of 102.6, lethargic and very whiney and cranky. Lance said that he would take care of him Monday becuase he needed to be at work on Tuesday.

Alex has to be without medicine and without fever for 24 hours before returning to daycare.

Maybe Wednesday?

Today when I got home from work - Alex was asleep on Lance's chest in the recliner - his usual place. We call it the secret weapon - or "daddy medicine". He loves to sleep on Lance's chest when he is wearing one of his 49ers fleece shirts. Oh so nice and comfy.

Lance fed him his last bottle right after I got home and we learned that Alex can hold his own bottle - we never feed him a bottle anymore and we don't know this! It's new to us!

Lance looked at me and said "It's times like this that I love being a Dad". I couldn't say anything because then Alex would know that I was there and would whip his head around looking for me and bottle time would be over. I just smiled and warmth filled my heart.

Daddy medicine is wonderful.

I remember my Mom used to say to my sister and I that she loved when we were sick because then she could kiss and snuggle us - or that we would actually let her instead of resisting. Alex isn't to the resisting stage yet but Lance sure was loving every minute of it.

I think that is the best part of this whole situation - - - Lance knowing and realizing that Alex just wants to be with him and that he wants to be with Alex to take care of him in his time of need. Being in the moment and knowing it.

3 colds and a fever

Alex has had 3 colds in about 4 weeks. I try to make myself feel better about this by thinking about the Hygiene hypothesis. It basically says that the more your kid gets sick the less likely they will be to get allergies and other immune system disorders later in life.

The colds have only involved lots of snot. He sneezed and snot comes out of both nostrils and then he can breath again. On the bad nights he can't sleep because it seems like when he drifts into a deeper sleep he forgets to breath out of his mouth and wakes up crying and scared. He often is very noisy and snores on nights with a bad cold.

He had one fever on a Thursday afternoon at daycare and by the time he got home it was 102.3 degrees. He was very lethargic and went to bed at 6:30. He woke up a couple of times that night, but mostly slept until 7 am the next morning and the fever broke. He was his old kickin' self - so, he went into daycare a little late. But, was happy all day.