I neglected blog posting and visiting for about two weeks. My son had been sick with some "GERM" for over three months. What the diagnosis came to be is- "allergies"
Do you ever get the feeling that it is just a generic term like having a "cold?"
After two weeks of test that is the answer we got.
Let me back up- so you can experience the fun too....
Three weeks ago I went to the pediatrician finally after months of this kid breathing funny and having circles under his eyes like we abuse him. Now some may be thinking - mono, right? Well, this kid also had ENERGY. Only throwing up will slow him down- and that is in the bathroom and then out.
So I cough, choke up the money for the Dr. to tell me Claritin and singular 1x a day.
After a week - no improvement- not worse.
So we go back and the Dr. tell me to go to the Ear Nose & Throat expert right away. His tonsils look bad. Huh?
I go there and Dr schedules us for an x ray and a sleep study- again -a whatta?
The next day we go for the x ray. Pretty scary seeing a little guy only 3 ft tall lined up on a wall with a giant x ray tube shooting at his face. I hear the technicians discussing what "number" to set it at - say what? my suggestion - low! They get someone else that gives them a higher number. I tell my kid to close his eyes- the technician laughs- "that won't matter."
The next day after that we go to hospital to have a sleep study. I was told I could not drop him off and leave him there alone. Do people do that?
I am going to have to spend the night too. Oh joy! The whole family comes to be there to tuck him in- hubby and big bro.
We are met downstairs in a back hallway by two big male nurses or if they have a special title.
They have to hook the little guy to 18 wires (we counted) with a sticker or pasty stuff. He is really brave - even when his big bro tells him to watch being electrocuted when he pees. Nice....
The room have one double bed. I slowly figure out I have to sleep there too. I was hoping for a recliner on the side. Nope- there is a camera facing the bed and an infrared camera above. It is really creepy. Like big brother watching. I don't care as long as I don't know someone is bugging my house. See I have no idea if anyone ever follows me since I don't pay attention to that, either. I am a dreamer - I love my own thoughts- I get lost in them easily enough.
I brought a laptop and was planning to blog this post as it was happening. Hubby and Big Bro go home and I get ready to start on some work.
The head nurse tells me I cannot use the laptop. Oh- I say - thinking the computer will mess up some of the tests. Ok- I tell him I'll just work on some stuff by the lamp light here. NO- he tells me again. No lights on - period. & I cannot leave the room.
Well, I guess I better just hop into bed at 9pm and lie next to the little guy. I was also told not to touch him (like hug him or wrap an arm while he is sleeping there) again- I will try - plus he has so much stuff on him I know I would accidentally pull a wire.
So they talk to me, laying there in complete darkness, with my sweat suit on, answering about the ambiance to make sure the temp is right, etc. They are just these voices in the dark. I am feeling very uneasy and know I am not going to get any sleep.
After I think some short black out period on my part, I wake up and look over at the little guy. I did this about a hundred times that night. I prayed I wouldn't drool, talk in my sleep or snore.
One time on my routing checks- I see the little guy way on the edge of of the bed. I am nervous since he falls out of be alot and now there are these wires. So I whisper into the dark " Can I move him from the edge just a bit?" Then the voice from the dark answers "You may." Very creepy, kind of like a thriller movie that you wish you weren't a part of.
They woke us up at 5:30 am to remove the stuff. He tells me that the little guys breathing was clear and looked good. He said that I didn't sleep well. -Really?
The results from either were nothing. My pediatrian now thinks a CAT scan- a whatta? So delay on the next test to call a reputable allergist in town and made my own appointment- giving them a good story off all we had been through. Got in two days later from a cancellation.
Allergy Dr. Looked at my kid and said "Allergies". I told him what we had done. He was furious - yep that would describe it- he said - "your kid is a poster child for allergies!- I'd fail my 1st year med students for not recognizing that!" He tested little guy on the spot. Little guy (aka nature & animal lover) is allergic to everything outside- trees, grasses, ragweed, pollen, mold, cats, and rodents. But not dogs. Dr. gave him some nasal stuff & zyrtec, told us to get an air purifier for dust mites - only a mild reaction (whew! I was afraid I'd really have to clean house or something).
Yeah! Kid feels better but we just have to watch the seasons here and use the meds before it gets too serious.
Me now- I have laryngitis- I cannot talk and no energy. Seriously- I squeak. This is a curse if you are Italian. Almost as bad as not having hands to help express yourself. Maybe a sleep study....
