Coughs, Urgent Care, Doctors, Failed Tests...

I'm not going to lie. I'm a mess. I'm still processing.  I'm spending at least an hour a day on the phone with doctors. I'm trying to make sense of everything and I'm all over the place. So, I'm just going to start from the weekend. 

Friday and Saturday Jackson had a runny nose, and a cough. He sneezed about a gazillion times. Nothing alarming, just once again, he came down with a little cold or allergies. By Saturday afternoon the coughing got bad. I had a big awards dinner and called my parents to cancel our night out. But, my mom is a nurse and sells half of the respiratory drugs Jackson takes, so we decided to let them babysit after all. We dropped Jackson off at 8, bathed and ready for his breathing treatment. When we came back to get him around midnight, he was all snuggled up in my parent's bed sound asleep. My mom said he didn't cough once, not once.

Oh how things changed when we got home. Jackson coughed and coughed and coughed. I sat up with him from about 1AM to 3AM. I gave him another breathing treatment and prayed the coughing to stop so he could rest.

And at 3AM I put him back in his crib and the next time we heard him was close to 11AM. As soon as he woke up, we gave him his morning meds and breathing treatment. Even though he slept late, the night was full of interruptions and he was exhausted. By 1PM, he was asking to go back to bed. I laid him down and the coughing fits started again. I gave him another breathing treatment, and he was able to sleep for about an hour and woke up coughing again.

That was it, off to the urgent care we went. Wouldn't you know, that boy did not cough once when we were there. Not once. The doctor thought I was crazy. However, they did do a chest x-ray to be sure the RSV and Pneumonia was all clear. She told us that see could see the scar tissue on his lungs, but the fluid was gone. We were sent home with a prescription for antibiotics and told Jackson has bad allergies.

I did not fill his prescription because in 12 months Jackson has taken 9 antibiotics. That is just too much for his little body.

Monday Jackson woke up 75% better. He slept great, barely coughed and his nose was hardly running. Monday night he coughed for about an hour on and off in his crib. Nothing in comparison to the weekend.

This brings me to Tuesday. We had our scheduled follow-up with Jackson's ENT (it had been a month since we were put on the list of drugs to clear up the RSV) and he was due for a hearing test from his tubes.

The doctor sat with us for a long time. I told her everything that had been going on and my concerns. She sucked out all of his nasal mucus and changed up his medication a little bit. She thinks if we completely dry up his nose, the cough will get better. Everything made sense. We have a maintenance plan list of medications and additional for when he flares up. She ordered a serum allergy test for today to be sure we are dealing with allergies and sent us on our way to the hearing test.

We met the audiologist and she put us in the sound booth. I held Jackson on my lap and she began playing with Jackson outside the booth. Then she started the beeps and training Jackson that if he looks at the box when it beeps, Goofy will appear and dance around. Jackson loved Goofy and every time he went away, he'd say "Oh uh" and would point for him to come back.

When the beeps were loud, Jackson turned his head in reaction to them. However, the softer they got, the less and less he'd look. Then he stopped completely looking in correlation with the sounds. He would just look because a little bit of time had passed and he knew that it was time for Goofy to appear. He's a smart one, my kid!

I'm sure I had hives up to my ears. Holding Jackson and knowing that my sweet baby was not hearing everything I was hearing broke my heart. I never want my son to fail at anything, and I just knew he was failing this test.

The audiologist never said that he failed. She said that they like to see kids his age around a 15 and he scored a 33. I asked her what was next and she said a ABR test. This test is done when they are sleeping (after you deprive them) and they take brain wave measurements for a definitive reading on what they actually hear. There's also a big difference between hearing and listening.

I left there not really knowing what to think when we got home. Mr. was at an LSU baseball game for the evening, so it was just me and Jackson. I put him to bed and buried myself in work. I didn't want to process, I just wanted to wish everything away and for Jackson to be well...Well at 9:44PM Jackson started coughing. The coughing soon turned into gagging and gasping for air. I couldn't give him another breathing treatment because it had only been 2 hours since his last one. So I held him and sang to him and cried for one hour. One hour I held Jackson and just begged for help. And at 10:44PM, he stopped coughing. I put him back to bed and that was it for the night.

I called the ENT on my way to work yesterday and asked for a nurse to call me back.  I just needed to talk to someone.  And at 12:15 my phone rang.  It was our doctor, herself.  She spent an hour on the phone with me talking me through everything. 

First her main concern, Jackson failed the hearing test.  Failed.  We're not sure what he can hear or what things sound like to him.  Failing this test coupled with the fact that Jackson doesn't talk yet is a point of concern.  However, Jackson does dance to a beat.  He knows the pattern of 2-way conversation.  And he follows direction.  I can tell him to throw something away or go get the red ball and he will.  All of these things are good.  We will be scheduling the ABR test asap. 

Next we went on to talk about his list of medication and when and what to give him based on how he's doing.  I feel like I finally have a good grasp on this.  We'll be doing breathing treatments twice a day indefinitely. 

Once Jackson turns 2, we'll do allergy testing.  Today's serum test will give us an idea, and confirm that all of this is due to allergies.  I'm nervous that there's something more going on and we just haven't found it yet.  I need to listen to all the voices in my head, we will get to the bottom of this! I know Jackson has allergies because of the dark purple circles he gets under his eyes, the doctors all call these "allergy eyes".  I just won't rest until I know for sure.

This has just been one hell of a week.  I'm emotionally drained.  I want my baby to be well and to feel good and hear all that the world has for him to listen to. 

I'll keep you all posted, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for the emails, texts, messages and prayers.  I can feel them and it means so much! Please keep the prayers coming!

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Momma fail moment

I had a huge momma fail moment on Sunday, but I refused to let it ruin our wonderful weekend away! Okay, it wasn't that big of a fail that it could possibly ruin our weekend...but it sure as hell was an embarrassing one!

It's no secret that my kid has fat feet, no really, they are like bricks.  And finding shoes for these fat feet has been a topic on here a time a two.  Jackson's feet are so fat that I can't just go to a store and pick up a pair of shoes.  I've yet to find a local place that carries shoes in extra wide in his size.  I have to search, and hunt, and beg for shoes that are wide enough for said bricks feet.

So, on our way home from New Orleans we passed an outlet mall outside of Baton Rouge.  I remembered this mall having a Stride Rite, so I asked Mr. to stop so we could at least have them measure Jackson's shoe size.  I've been returning and exchanging shoes since Christmas trying to find the right size and width combination.

Let's just say that we walked into the store with size 6 extra wide shoes on foot, and left with size 8.5 extra wide on foot.  My poor boy had been wearing shoes not one, but TWO AND A HALF sizes too small! Needless to say, Jackson got a couple pairs of new shoes that day and the size 6's were packed away as soon as we got home.

I'd say that was a momma fail moment in my book...and it sure was to the saleslady helping us out!

At the rate Jackson's foot is growing, his footprint is going to be mistaken for Big Foot's soon:)

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Some time away

Me and my boys spent some time away from home over the weekend and it was heavenly! Sometimes you just need to get away to recharge and reconnect. No phones, no computers, no plans, no laundry, no worries!

The timing worked out so perfectly, it was like God knew that we needed this weekend. Work has been crazy busy for both Mr. and myself. When the pressure is on, it's hard to not turn your spouse into your punching bag!

So when a work meeting in New Orleans came up for me and an event at the Fairground for Mr., we knew it was meant to be! Friday morning we loaded the car and heading East.  We got into the city just in time for Mr. to drop me off to my meeting and find a place for he and Jackson to grab some lunch.  My meeting went well and I was able to walk over to Superior Grill to meet my boys for lunch.

The weather was absolutely amazing so we sat outside and just relaxed until it was time to check into our hotel.  When we checked in we got cleaned up and ready for a night at the racetracks.  Mr. and I aren't into gambling, but we're all about free food and drink:) It was especially nice since Jackson was with his uncle hanging out at the Tulane dorms {the joys of younger brothers, built in babysitters}. We schmoozed and boozed and Jackson ran around flirting with some college girls:) I think it was a win - win!

Saturday morning we woke up and took a stroll around the city and watched it come alive.  With venti coffees in hand and Jackson in his stroller, we walked and walked and walked.  We went through Jackson Square and looked at all of the art.  We watched the fog leave the city.  We listened to a few musicians.  Mr. got his all time favorite Verti Marte.  We watched all of the bars and restaurants clean the streets and prep for the day.  It was four hours of perfectness.

We all love to be outside and Jackson loves to be in his stroller.  At one point in the morning Mr. looked and me and said that he could literally watch me floating on cloud nine.  These little beauties may or may not have been part of that reason;)

With my new shoes in hand {it was way too hot to wear boots with my dress, so I just had to get 'em}, we all got cleaned up for the day and made our way over to Magazine St.   We spent a few more hours strolling around.  When we were hungry we stopped for a bite, and a drink.  No plans, no agenda, no where to be!

Later in the afternoon we went back by Tulane and picked up my brother and his roommate for dinner.  Jackson loves these boys to pieces.  After dinner we decided to take Cameron's roommate to see a parade.  He's from the east coast, so this will be his first Mardi Gras...and he's a little excited:)

I was happy that Jackson enjoyed the parade and the music.  Half of me was worried the floats and bead throwing would scare him.  Silly momma, he loved it! We stayed back from the crowd, but it was perfect.  There were a few girls at the parade that recognized Jackson from the dorms the night before...not even 2 and the girls are yelling down the street at my boy:)

Sunday morning we woke up and did the same as the day before.  Coffees, stroller, and my boys.  We walked for a few hours and grabbed breakfast at a cute little cafe.  I was so sad when it was time to go shower and check-out.  I had the most amazing weekend away with my boys, I didn't want it to end!

My heart is happy and I feel a little recharged and oh so blessed! Happy Wednesday loves:)

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Mr. Romantic

I had a little Valentine's surprise waiting for me when I got home last night that made me feel so special. Mr. knows me well, and that I'm all about the little things;)

So Mr. Romantic lead me to believe all weekend that he was going to have to work late Monday night.   It really wasn't a big deal because that happens a lot and we weren't doing anything for Valentine's Day.  I called Mr. on my way home to check and see how his day was going.  I had plans to go pick up Jackson, and take him to the store to get a big balloon and a rotisserie chicken for dinner. 

Mr. quickly informed me that he got the biggest balloon ever and was on his way to get the chicken and the boy! Wait, what?!?

Oh it doesn't stop there, when I walked in the door there was a bottle of champagne chilling and my candy dish was filled refilled with chocolates! And next to all of that was a movie I had been waiting to see, that I totally forgot all about.  Non of that can even compare to the love note he wrote for me.  Mr. Romantic swept me off my feet and reminded me why I loved him so much!

Is he romantic or what?!?
And apparently he thought I needed to drink after Saturday night to make me feel better:)

me and my crazy boys, this was as good as we could get for a self portrait!

Jackson's Valentine's art project from the sitters

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Fun family weekend

Happy Valentine's Day loves! 

I am still nursing a hangover from too much mommy juice Saturday night not feeling so lovely today, but this 70 degree weather is making it me oh so happy. I am more than ready for spring to be here and am literally craving the outdoors!

With our busy agendas, Mr. and I decided to stay in for Valentine's Day.  We are literally out of town or having guests in from out of town every weekend through March.  Mr.'s 37th birthday is sneaking up on us quickly...so we may be busy into April too!

Friday night we grilled a tenderloin and vegetables and I made a nice salad.  We all ate dinner as a family and instead of following with our normal routine of bath and bed, Jackson had other plans.  I stored all of his phase 2 Christmas presents under his bed, and someone found them Friday night.  Jackson has a new hiding spot, and thought he hit the jackpot!

So Thomas the train set up shop in our family room Friday night.  Jackson loves to hide and play in things, so this was heaven.  I think he would have slept in the tent, if I would have let him.  Maybe one day:)

Saturday morning was the start to a beautiful day.  Mr. made his oh so delicious blueberry muffins, we went for a long walk, played with Jackson's truck and then he took a long afternoon nap.  Daddy was able to get a good bit of work done and I enjoyed a much needed mani/pedi! I participated in Meredith's Spring Polish Swap, so I had a lovely new red polish for my toes.

Later that evening we were invited over to a good friends house for a fish fry.  With Jackson's health we've been such homebodies, so it was good to get out...too good! Two mommas with Mr.'s keeping their glasses full while they played with the boys...all night.  Let's just say that this momma only made it from the bed to the couch yesterday.  Thankfully, Jackson was just as worn out and woke up at 10:30, and napped from 1-4. 

I had big plans of baking cute heart shaped sugar cookies with my boys, but instead I opted for the slice and bake.  Mom of the year right here!

Jackson will love them just the same:) And I'm sure the kids at sitter's will enjoy them too!

I'm going to try and redeem myself by making dinner tonight and bringing home the biggest heart shaped balloon I can find!

We have a weekend in New Orleans coming up, so Mr. and I are treating ourselves to a nice time while we are there...which is so much better than a Valentine:)

Loves!

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20 months old

My sweet Jackson Christopher, you are a 20-month-old toddler, which means you are getting closer and closer to being 2 whole years old! Where or where has the time gone? Sometimes I hold you so tight, close my eyes and just try to exhale. As much as I love to watch you grow, I want to hold you in my arms forever.

I pray to God and Grandma every day and night to watch over you and keep you safe from all things. You are such a busy, carefree, and brave boy. I can't imagine how we've gone this long without a broken bone or a trip to the ER.

You are so independent and needy all at the same time.  You have quite a unique way of communicating what you want.  I think we'd all get along much better if you'd use or word or two, instead of pointing, stomping and grunting.  But, you're a stubborn boy, stuck in your ways!

Just the other morning you were obsessing over a hat.  So for breakfast, you wore your hat with your pj's while you ate your first banana of the day.  You still love bananas and almost everything we feed you.  However, you're a little like your momma and are turned off by some textures of food, and milk.

Dinosaurs, balloons, balls, cars and trains are still your favorite toys.  That and music.  You love to shake your little butt and bounce to any beat.  Unfortunately, my lil white boy, you have no rhythm.  Momma is trying to work on that, as we dance in the family room most nights when I get home from work.

You love your bed and you bath.  Recently you have decided that only you, your crib sheet and your blanket are allowed in bed with you.  You even take the sound pack out of your sleep sheep and throw it across the room.  Like I said, your a boy stuck in your ways and there is little reasoning with you, so we go with it.

Since I stopped nursing you, we took the rocking chair out of your nursery - it's phase one of your big boy room.  You now have a table and chairs set up in the corner and you love it.  You sit and color take the lids on and off of the markers and "read" books.

Speaking of books, you finally enjoy being read to.  Your all time favorite book was a first birthday gift, from Aumee' and Uncle Chris.  We read Tyrannosaurus Reg no less than 5 times a night.  You patiently wait in anticipation for the ROAR at the very end of the book.  And every time you hear that ROAR you act as surprised as you were the very first time we heard it.

You are a total creature of habit, just like your Momma and Daddy.  We each have our things own issues that we are very ritualistic about.  Believe it or not, we all look forward to your breathing treatments now because of this.  It's our time to sit and snuggle while you watch Dino Dan.  It's the only time you actually sit still these days!

We're working with you on your words, but it's a daily struggle.  This week you've been replying Yes or Yes Ma'am when we ask if you want to watch Dino Dan, which means breathing treatment time.  You're also great at putting shapes and colors where they belong and helping pick up. 

You still love to give sugars or kisses, and I ask for at least a hundred a day:) You love when you make the mwah! sound and do it over and over again.  You also wave bye, blow kisses, high five, give knuckles, sweet eyes, and can point to all of your body parts.  You can even point to others now too.

You mimic everything we do, from brushing your teeth to wearing our shoes to blow drying your hair.  I know once you start talking, you'll be just like a little parrot, copying all that we do and say!

You're holding at 30lbs. and are 33" tall still this month.  You looked so much bigger when I got back from St. Louis.  I thought for sure we'd have to switch your car seat to forward facing this month, but we still have 5 more pounds to go.  Your bleach blond hair is starting to get darker.  It's still blond, but the whiteness is turning to golden.  I'm hoping the summer sun will bleach it out again!

Everyday I love you more and can't be more blessed to be your momma! I hate that your not my baby anymore, but I love the little man you are growing up to be. 

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Treatment plan for Jackson

Last Thursday and Friday were cold days for us in South Louisiana. We had a little freezing rain and ice, but nothing compared to pretty much the rest of the country. It was just enough for Mr.'s office to close both days, but not mine.

With that said, Jackson got a clear runny nose and began coughing again in the middle of last week. I figured that he just had a cold. He was sleeping great and didn't seem sick at all. Between the hot and cold weather, everyone's allergies and sinuses were a mess.

But by lunchtime on Thursday Jackson was refusing to eat and had a fever. Lovely. Just lovely. I called our pediatrician's office, but they had closed due to weather.

So I called Jackson's ENT. I had a little breakdown with the receptionist and she got us into the doctor's schedule!

I went home, grabbed Jackson, and went by our pharmacy {which is another story in it's self. they are no longer our pharmacy. Did I mention I'm a hormonal mess?} to get a print out of every medication Jackson has been prescribed in the past 6 months.

The print out of medications was so helpful.  We've been to our pediatrician, the ENT, and a walk-in clinic.  So it was nice to have one doctor take a look at the big picture.   Jackson has been sick once a month since the fall.  He gets a two week antibiotic, he's well for two weeks, and he gets sick again.

Our ENT is sure that this was all due to his ears.  He would have been well after his tubes/adenoid removal, but feel victim to RSV and pneumonia.  Otherwise, his ears are doing beautifully and his tonsils looks great.

When I say that we had such a thorough visit, it's a complete understatement.  The doctor explained everything to me so well and talked through what medications Jackson needed and why! I think she sat with us for close to an hour.  In her opinion, we should have treated Jackson for at least one month and up to three months.  No one told me this, the two other doctors both said to stop once the cough and wheezing stopped. 

Long story short, the steroids and medication he was on helped, but its been a couple of weeks and they've worn off.  Jackson doesn't have RSV again, but his lungs/bronchial are inflamed and basically really pissed off. 

To fix that, and get Jackson totally well, we're now on a combination of two breathing machine/nebulizer medications, twice a day for at least the next month.  We also have two prescription cough medications that he gets orally, twice a day for the next month.  And a singular tab, once a day from now on. The best thing about this plan, it doesn't include one antibiotic!!!

Jackson can't be tested for allergies until he is two, and we will begin that process then.  Hard to believe my baby is 20-months-old today.  That's just a short 4 months shy of being 2!!! Oh time, please please please slow down.

At least I get so snuggle with my sweet boy twice a day for 25 minutes while he gets his treatments:)

this was from last week.  thankfully, Jackson is a creature of habit and enjoys the treatments much better now:)

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