Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Jacob-by the numbers

Well I try to keep this blog mainly crafting related, but I thought I'd post an update on Jacob. I guess it's indirectly related to crafting, since I've been spending my days (and nights) taking care of him, leaving not much time for play.
I wanted to write this down primarily so that I can remember what the doctors have said; I am very sleep deprived right now and I know that I will forget this in a few days' time if I don't have it written somewhere. :)
Jacob, at 3 1/2 months, weighs 16 pounds. Yes, he's a healthy eater and has never given us concern in that department! :) However, he has had a cough for 2 weeks now and in general he's just not himself. He still smiles and he doesn't fuss a lot, but he's not as happy/interactive/playful as he usually is.

In the last 48 hours:
*1 trip to urgent care
*1 ambulance ride (bringing his total to 2)
*1 trip to the Emergency Room (bringing his total to 2)
*1 chest x-ray (bringing his total to 3)
*2 dr.'s appointments
*9 breathing treatments
*3 doses of steroids
*1 shot
*3 prescriptions

So the dr.'s are saying that a viral infection triggered a "breathing episode" (very, very reluctant to officially confirm a diagnosis of asthma until he's much older). This breathing episode consisted of already small airways swelling, producing mucus, and pinching off in places (bronchospasms). Right now the breathing treatments and steroids are supposed to open up his airways and decrease the swelling. He will be on an inhaler with steroids for at least 1-2 months in the hopes that he will get to a point that his airways will be clear enough to breathe without struggling so much. His previous inhaler was not helping to clear his airways during this time. Already we have seen a marked improvement after yesterday's treatment in the dr.'s office but the steroids are wearing off much sooner than the dr. would hope. His dr. said to expect to see about a 10% improvement each day over the next week or so. We are hoping this to be the case. It is hard to see our baby struggle so much just to be able to breathe--at least now we have something that we can do to be proactive in his care.

7 comments:

Loopylou. said...

oh hun, i feel for you as this is just how little mo was when he was little, he couldn't even manage a bottle feed without going blue as he couldn't breath and feed,so many other hings that would take so long to write so i understand what you are going through. his asthma was diagnosed fairly early.it was an awful couple of years until to get him to the right age for the right meds but now at 5 he copes with it ok with his various inhalers.big hugs for you all,lou xxxx

BirdScrap said...

Thanks for the comment and the encouragement, Loopylou! It's always nice to hear from someone who has had similar experiences and can understand what we're going through. I expect to have our ups and downs until we can get his meds just right to maintain healthy lungs for him. Glad your little guy is doing okay.

Mindy Hanson said...

Big hugs to you and your family. I will be thinking of you. Poor little guy.

Jenny B said...

I'm sure praying for you all and lil jacob...odd ? here but are you bfeeding or bottle? Milk taken in by the momma dairy products etc or milk based formula's are #1 mucous producers. I only know this for having 3 of my 5 children with asthma and many many many many trips to the ER and more than many many many breathing treatments done at home! We still do breathing treatments and one of the girls has an attack with every cold so we're not "over it". I also am asthmatic. Let me know if I can be of any help. I do know most of the drugs that are given and all that and their side effects etc...should have ?'s...sorry not to be a "know it all" but just a mom who's been there and is still there when her kids are sick. Know you are being prayed for!

BirdScrap said...

Jenny-thanks for the advice and prayers. I am nursing him; dairy is something to consider, thanks. It sounds like you've had a lot of experience with this--I'll definitely keep you in mind if/when we have any questions! I appreciate your support.

all4sydney said...

Oh I am so sorry to hear this!! I will be praying for Jacob!! It is so hard when your little ones are sick... I know that I just feel so helpless and I HATE that feeling!!

Djhs said...

He's such a little sweetie! Love you guys.