On the 1st and 2nd day before Christmas my little one gave to me....2 seperate visits to the ER and some serious lack of sleep...

Ah the holidays...what would the holidays be without children being ill and not just sick, no, SUPER sick (as Zachary so plainly put it). On Monday I packed up the boys and headed to the ER as Isaac was not feeling very well at all and had a rough night a lot of coughing and high fevers...102 to 103). He didn't seem to be responding to his asthma treatments...so off to the ER we went in the morning. We spent a total of 3 hours there and found out that Isaac has viral bronchitis, his Xray showed bronchial infiltrates (the bad stuff). So they gave him some Motrin and another asthma Rx (Ativant) to help open him up. Naturally I stayed home that night from work since I had worked the night before and Sam had been up most of the night with Isaac (Sam has been sick too, so he needed some sleep). Isaac didn't sleep much Monday night and I was up and down giving Tylenol/Motrin and breathing treatments. After our visit to the ER, I kept thinking how the MD didn't check his throat or do any blood work. I found this odd since it seems that EVERYONE regardless of what they have (broken toe, scratch...etc) get an Xray and lab work done when they go through the ER at the hospital where I work. So I called his Pediatrician and scheduled a follow up appointment for Tuesday at 11:15 am.

So Tuesday morning rolls around and Isaac is still not feeling well (still running high fever and coughing a lot). It was 10 am and I had just finished getting ready when I hear Isaac trying to cry, coughing and grunting. I looked at him and he was pale, with pale lips and dark circles under his eyes...clearly not feeling well and having a hard time breathing (I had just given him his treatment 10 min before). So I grabbed the boys and put them quickly into the car and we rushed to the ER. "My son needs to be seen right away, he can't breathe" were my exact words to the front desk RN...so we were whisked away off to a room quickly. Multiple RNs and respiratory therapists came into the room and quickly assess him. He was running 103.3 fever. So this visit I made sure that I pushed for Isaac to get lab work and an IV since he wasn't taking fluids very well and hadn't peed in some time. We were there a total of 6 hours. He almost got admitted but the pediatrician said his lungs were clear and his 02 sats were good. He had a high white blood count and was treated with a dose of Rocephin and was given Prednisone. His fever finally broke at the ER (as he hasn't had one since). The Pediatrician said that he probably wAS getting the beginnings of mild pneumonia. So we came home with an Antibiotic for the infection and more prednisone. I still have to give his breathing treatments about every 4-6 hours. I worked last night too and didn't get much sleep before work since Isaac was sick and sleeping with me.

I am happy to say that he is feeling much better today. He's drinking more and eating some as well. I am so grateful that the fever subsided finally. I am taking him for a re-check with his MD in a little while.

I am so grateful to live in a time when we have such good medical care and medicines.

Merry Christmas!

The pitfalls of school

So it didn't even take 2.5 weeks for Isaac to get sick from starting school. ugh! At least his tubes are in his ears now so that should help. Thank goodness Winter break starts for the boys next week..it will give them a chance to get well.

Isaac's first day of school

Isaac started his first day of school on Monday. He ran into the room ready to go with no looking back (I barely got a wave goodbye) and no tears. So far he is doing well. He loves recess time. Of course he is as picky as ever regarding his lunch. I am still going to continue to pay for his lunch but add additional items for the days where they offer things I know he will not eat....ahh the joys of having a pick eater.

I found it odd to not have either of the kids home with me. I was excited and saddened at the same time...weird huh? I must say it was so nice to go to Target by myself without the boys. I haven't been by myself doing much in just about 6 years. I must say it's exciting to have time to myself. I am looking forward to getting a little extra sleep on the days where I have worked the previous night.

I am taking Isaac to school this week until his bus schedule is set up and starts next Monday. Yep the bus comes to my house and drops Isaac off at the end of his school day. So awesome!

We are hoping to see great progress with Isaac.....

Today Isaac had his tubes put it both ears. I was a bit nervous since it was my child in the hospital for surgery and not me. All went well I am happy to report. When the doctor spoke to me afterwards, he said that both of Isaac's ears were badly infected. I was surprised since Isaac had been on an antibiotic since last Wednesday...and Augmentin (not a lightweight when it comes to an antibiotic) for that matter. He said there was a build up of fluid/infection behind his ear drums, which was drained out/cleaned up when the tubes were put in his ears. He has some antibiotic drops to use for a few days, and that should clean up the last of the infection. His doctor said that Isaac must have not been hearing very well due to the build up of fluid...so I am anxiously awaiting to see if it helps with his speech delay.

I am glad it's over and am hoping to see some great improvements in the health of Isaac's ears and hopefully some progress with his speech too.

Isaac finished his in home therapy last Friday. I was sad that it was ending since he has made such tremendous progress in just the 2 months of intensive therapy (15 hours a week). I was sad for the fact that Isaac ended his in home therapy on Friday, and then he turned 3 on Sunday. My baby is 3 already. Time sure flies...

I am super excited for the new program he will be starting on December 1st. Since he is now 3 years old, Isaac transitions to the school district for his services. He will be attending a special school that has some awesome programs for those with Autism and special needs. Last week, Isaac and I toured the school and saw some of the programs. I was very impressed. I know Isaac will make tremendous progress.

He truly is coming out of his shell and such a fun little guy is emerging. I used to fear Autism. When someone thinks of Autism, they think of "Rain Man" the movie...I know I did, which is why I had challenging time accepting that Isaac was on the Autism Spectrum. But I have learned so much since Isaac was diagnosed. PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not otherwise Specified...Isaac's diagnosis) doesn't frighten me. I remember being concerned about him being "labeled" with Autism. It really is just a diagnosis like being diagnosed with some other ailment. You find out there is this issue, what services/treatments are available and move forward. I cried the day he was diagnosed for all of about 5 minutes, then I resolved myself to get educated and make sure Isaac gets the best treatment/services available to him. Some days are tough, but I know that we will be blessed...

Now I cry with joy for the triumphs of Isaac like the day I heard him say "bye" and wave bye. I called Sam and we were both yelling for joy. Just like any other child, Isaac's growth is limitless...

There is just no one better than brother.....

As you can see, Zachary and Isaac have beds next to each other; however, each night as I go to change Isaac before I leave for work (or go to bed) Sam and I find Isaac sleeping right next to Zachary. We thought that perhaps Isaac liked the one bed over the other (even though they are the same), but it appears he just loves his brother and has to be right next to him when sleeping and touching brother somewhere whether it be the leg, arm, feet, etc.

Such sweet boys....

Sometimes (Okay a lot of the time) I crack myself up....

Zachary was a Ninja for Halloween, but he didn't want to wear the Ninja cover on his head, so I just put some black makeup over his eyes (see previous post) and he was happy. The kit I bought was for if one wanted to be a Pirate. After Trick or Treating, eating dinner, and a bath, Sam and I put the boys to bed. Sam was being silly and decided to put on the pirate earing and eye patch. There was a white grease crayon and so I grabbed it and drew in eyebrows, a mini mustache, and a goatee on my face. Sam laughed and said "Go look at yourself." So I went to the bathroom and started laughing at myself. Now, I don't know if you have seen "Mad TV" when Will Sasso was on it, but he use to do and impersonation of Kenny Rodgers while making fun of the show "Jackass" (check it out on youtube.com)

So with the white grease crayon in hand...I created my version of Kenny Rodgers...here are the results...What can I say...I'm just a dork