Yesterday was the day. One of the 4 days a year I dread the most. Parker’s cardiology appointment. Don’t get me wrong. We love our cardiologist. We just hate what he has to say. Then there is the pesky fact that I often find myself trying to translate what he is saying. I often leave… [Continue Reading]
Asthma and the medically fragile kid with special needs.
Jun 22, 11 By · 7 Comments
It starts out slowly. Instead of staying within it’s normal parameters it begins to cycle. From the 60′s to the 70′s. That’s all it takes to get my attention. Parker’s sleeping heart rate always foreshadows an upcoming concern. If we’re lucky it will return to it’s normal and I can lower my terror alert down… [Continue Reading]
Mornings With Parker
Nov 16, 10 By · 3 Comments
Parker’s been fighting the latest version of the creeping crud. Every morning, before his nap, and before bed, we do vest treatments with our Brave Hero. This helps to loosen up the junk in his lungs so that we can suction it out. Days that he is sick, we do vest treatments a couple of… [Continue Reading]
Superstitous Much?
Jul 11, 10 By · 8 Comments
I set the timer to go off each hour on the hour. This ensures that I never miss a bolus feeding or a dose of Parker’s medication. Our daily schedule makes nurses at the hospital look at me as though I’m missing more than just a few marbles. “Why, ” they ask, “don’t you just… [Continue Reading]
The Slippery Slope Called Hope
Jun 24, 10 By · 8 Comments
We came back from our Pulmo appointment last week feeling a bit of hope. When you are the parent of a medically fragile child, hope is often that elusive golden ring, sometimes so very close, most times beyond your wildest reach. Dr. Pulmo directs our attention to a x-ray taken less than a month ago…. [Continue Reading]
And Suddenly My Heart Is A Little Lighter
Dec 11, 09 By · 12 Comments
We received the results of Parker’s sedated chest CT. The results were “consistent with severe chronic aspiration.” For some parents this would be bad news. For us though it is actually good news. This could be a reason why his cardiologist wasn’t able to get his lungs to oxygenate the way they should. Add this… [Continue Reading]
