I medicated Calliope as usual (for this exacerbation) yesterday but skipped her morning meds since we had an early appointment -- I figured it would be helpful for the pediatrician to see her without any short acting medications in her system.
She was noted to still be wheezing. The doctor is switching her to a high dose steroid for the next month, entirely via nebulizer, and then we can step down the dose a bit after a month if she does well. We are to continue the oral steroids for the full five days. And I'm to do chest physiotherapy after all treatments -- basically, clapping her on the back, sides, and chest, to break up the chest congestion and help it drain towards her stomach.
I've already forgotten to do the chest PT.
I'm disappointed about the nebulizer because it's really hard to get her to sit still for it. At least she's over her initial terror of it.
I have caved on my approach to TV for her -- none -- and am allowing children's programming (through the internet, so no commercials) as it's the only possible way to keep her still. She won't let me fasten the elastic of the mask around her head and gets tired of holding the mask to her face so I have to hold her in my lap to keep it over her mouth.
Tonight she watched Blue's Cl.ues for the first time and seemed to like it, but two respules of Pulmi.cort plus one respule of albuterol was too much for her... just took too darn long. So we didn't finish it. I will keep trying.
I asked the doctor how to know when it's time to call 911, and she said, "if things suddenly change for the worse and nothing you are doing is helping."
Ah.
So I totally should've called 911.
And now I'm kind of freaked out about how stupid I was to take her out into the cold for a walk to the subway, and then riding the subway, with her feeling so bad.
It's just so hard to get over the idea that 911 is for "real" emergencies. Stupid. This was one.
Hopefully I won't make that mistake again. It would be great if I don't have the opportunity to make that kind of mistake again.
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| Blue's Clues PLUS Mommy's lap (to hold the mask for her) PLUS pacifier... girl's got it made! |
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| Until she realized that there was a little hole in the side of the nebulizer mask, just big enough to worm her thumb in. And if she scootches the mask just slightly to the side, she can get that thumb into her mouth. Ahh. |
You sure know how to make an uncomfortable situation more comfortable. She looks content. Hope she continues to feel better and better!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to take her in after your scare this weekend. I'm sorry to hear she's still feeling unwell. Love how she managed to get a soothing item to work with the mask :)
ReplyDeletelove the photos!
ReplyDeleteI hope that you don't have to worry about that situation arising again either. I hope things resolve soon. I can't get Aidan to sit for just one Albuterol, so I cannot imagine more/longer.
ReplyDeleteHow precious that she figured a way to suck her thumb with the mask! Hope she's better soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope she is feeling better soon and that you don't face those scary situations often.
ReplyDeleteSuch a worry - but she does look like there is a smile under that mask. Hope she's better soon
ReplyDeleteHope she's starting to feel better.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned that you got your nebulizer from someone. I don't know what model it is or how old, but that can make a difference in how fast the medication is delivered. If this is going to be a long term thing it might be worth it to see if a new one could speed things up.
I'm right there with you on when to call 911. This summer when I was sick I was in too much pain to stand and probably should have called. I use to date a paramedic they get all sorts of lame calls, to the point he use to joke that the company name, AMR, actually stood for Ah, My Ride. No one is going to question whether a child having a hard time breathing is an appropriate "911" call.
Don't be too hard on yourself for not calling 911 - I think it's harder for us in the medical profession to do so. I hope she's doing better - it's got to be so terrifying to see your little girl working so hard to breathe.
ReplyDeleteI used to be a pharmaceutical rep and sold medication that helped people breathe better, so I am familiar with Albuterol. I believe that aluberol is a stimulant so no wonder she couldn't sit still for it. Just an fyi.
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