Today Brooke had another appointment with the ENT to check and see if her right tube was staying unclogged YET or not. Travis had the pleasure of taking her this morning. I had told him that I never get out of there in under an hour and a half. The man was out of there and on his way in 45 minutes! That is so not even fair!
And what did the ENT find when he looked in B's ear? Well, it was clogged...again....worse than last week. The left ear however looks fabulous...again. So, he unclogged her right tube...again...and put ear drops directly into her ear drum...again....and told us to continue drops for a week....again....and then come back to have it checked....AGAIN!
The prognosis? Well, lets be honest. The poor man has been stumped by my darling baby girl. He used titanium silver oxide coated T tubes when he put tubes in. These tubes NEVER clog :) He says he pulled out all the stops this time because he knows our history. If her tube is clogged again next week (and let's be honest, I will die of a heart attack induced by shock if it isn't) we will likely have to go in and place a second tube in that right ear so she has two in the same ear. Sound familiar? Oh yea, I did that already! The question becomes do we leave the left ear alone and cross our fingers that it doesn't start to clog the second she comes out of the second surgery, OR do we just insert a second tube in the left ear as well in anticipation? Putting two tubes in each ear is a bit risky. We did it with Sam, but she was older than B is now when we did it. She was about five years old. The reason it's risky is because the area where the tube is placed is quite small. By placing two tubes in it, you are increasing the likelihood that the ear drum will rupture. You also run the risk of the ear drum not repairing itself completely when the tubes come out (or should I say IF the tubes come out). Sound familiar? Oh yea, Sam had a hole that wouldn't heal fixed just over a year ago!
So, what now? Wait...and do more ear drops. If I would have known when I got married what I would go through with my children, I would have bought shares and shares and shares of Floxin (the ear drops we use) stock! I could have paid for all the surgeries the kids have had!
Did I mention that Dr. Blotter said it looked like there was a bit of infection in the right ear as well? No? Well, I just did. We took B into the pediatrician yesterday because Sunday night she was up crying all night and running a high fever. The pediatrician said it looked to be a very bad sinus infection (thank you Sam for sharing your germs) so he put her on antibiotics. Appears the sinus infection had made an EARly appearance (aren't I hilarious? :) ) So much for hoping this child would pay me back with no ear infections since she put me through 10 weeks of preterm labor and weighed 10 lbs!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Phone dump
Some of these I may have posted before, but, oh well! My kids are cute enough to post the same photo twice, right? I think so!
This was B's first pony tail/top knot.
In the tub tonight. She's recently discovered the joy of 1-standing up in the tub & thinking it's hilarious when mom freaks out 2-yelling at the baby in the faucet 3-tasting the bar of soap 4-drinking bath water like her hilarious 3 yr old brother and 5-making the biggest splashes possible.
I took this one awhile ago. I think it's funny that B sleeps with her mouth wide open like Sam does.
I took this one quite awhile ago too I think. Amazing they are getting along here. That wasn't happening today at all! Nice to have a visual reminder that it does occasionally happen!
St. Patrick's Day (well, really the day before but they were dressed so cute for school)
Caleb has discovered the joy of dress ups within the last few months. He has worn his poor pumpkin Halloween costume to DEATH. Seriously. The velcro up the back has seen much better days & needs repaired if he is to continue wearing it. He sure loves it though!
Cracks me up when she pulls out her pony tail/top knot and she's left with this awesome mohawk!
This was at California Adventures. This is the shirt she got for dancing there.
I don't even remember taking this picture! It had to have been me though because it was on my phone! She's wearing the outfit we brought her back from California too.
She is looking more like her older sister every day. However, she maintains that mischeivous sparkle in her eye that Caleb also has. I'll admit it...I'm afraid, I'm very, very afraid! I took this picture when I gave her some strawberries last week. It was so funny. I gave her just a slice or two and she snarfed them right up. When hers were gone & she realized Caleb had a whole bowl full she started smacking him and reaching for his bowl while yelling at him until he finally caved and gave her some of his! It was so funny!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Another visit to the ENT
Samantha called me on Monday telling me she wasn't feeling well. By Tuesday night it was kinda obvious.
Wednesday morning she woke up with a fever of 102. I kept her home from school and we went to the pediatrician & the eye dr. The pediatrician told us she had an ear infection. I was not a happy camper. She has been ear infection free for over a YEAR. The ENT & I were actually discussing on Monday when I had Brooke in there about how they will all eventually outgrow it...like Sam. So, the pediatrician started her on an antibiotic. She slept most of the day.
Thursday I took her temperature before I ever woke her up. Her temperature was still 101 so I didn't even bother waking her up to send her to school. By about 2 pm on Thursday Sam told me she wanted to try going to school. So, I sent her to school for about the last hour. After school she seemed to be doing ok, so we went to dance. After dance it was apparent that we had done too much. She went to bed kinda early, without doing any homework.
This morning I woke her up & told her to get ready for school. She immediately began telling me she wasn't feeling well, etc. I pleaded with her to go to school at least long enough to take her spelling test. Nope. Wasn't happening. So, I called the ENT's office to see if there were any available appointments (which there wasn't). So, I asked if I could leave a message for Dr. Blotter. I briefly told the receptionist what was going on. Less than 10 minutes later a nurse called me back & I then explained to her what was going on. Now, let's face it, I am no stranger to prescriptions, infections, or much of anything in the way of ear/sinus infections. The nurse proceeded to tell me that the prescription would stay in her system for 10 days even though she only took if for 3 (duh the kid is allergic to penicillin, all she ever takes is zythromax). Then she told me that it was likely just a virus but, if I was that worried, she would squeeze us in at 10:45 so Dr. Blotter could look at her. I took the appointment & hung up rather annoyed with the nurse.
Fast forward to a little after 10 when I arrive at the ENT's office. We sat and waited and waited and waited. On the bright side, I was able to almost finish my required reading from my text book for my meeting next Friday. Finally we go in. When he saw me he said that we shouldn't have jinxed ourselves earlier this week by saying they outgrow it! I explain to Dr. Blotter what's going on so he takes a look. Well apparently her left ear has created a vacuum of sorts and her ear drum is being sucked into the ear canal. Awesome, right? Her right ear is a little waxy, but nothing major. He takes a look at her nose. It is the worst looking nose he's seen in a long time. It looks "very, very allergic". What does this mean? Allergies. He said that with her being on a prescription and her not getting better would be because the pollen count has gone way up. He gave me two prescriptions. One is a steroid that she takes SIX times a DAY for SIX DAYS. The other is a nasal spray that she does 2 times a day. We will also need to continue the Claritan we've been doing for a week. And, last but certainly not least, we scheduled allergy testing. (She's not happy about this one after watching the video & seeing the kids with hives on their arms.) We finally left the ENT's office a little after 12.
I find it odd that neither Travis or I has bad pollen allergies but Samantha is apparently going to suffer horrendously. Travis suffers from hay fever a little, but nothing major. And really only when he helps bale hay & is in the thick of it. I don't have any pollen allergies at all (I'm allergic to just about everything else though).
So this week we've had the pleasure of:
1-Brooke's tube was clogged again at our appointment on Monday so we get to continue ear drops & go back next week.
2-5 chiropractor appointments for various people in the house.
3-A trip to the pediatrician for Sam which resulted in 1 rx & an ear infection diagnosis
4-A trip to the ENT which resulted in 2 more rx & an allergy diagnosis & allergy testing for Sam
5-I missed 2 days of work & am getting a tickle in my throat & a cough
6-A trip to the eye dr. for Sam which resulted in a nearsighted diagnosis for her & picking out new glasses
7-In between all these fun appointments we've had piano lessons, dance 2 x, me trying to get back with potential sponsors for Relay & a Relay for Life meeting!
It's a good thing their dad comes home on Monday so I can take a break from the dr.'s office! Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!
Wednesday morning she woke up with a fever of 102. I kept her home from school and we went to the pediatrician & the eye dr. The pediatrician told us she had an ear infection. I was not a happy camper. She has been ear infection free for over a YEAR. The ENT & I were actually discussing on Monday when I had Brooke in there about how they will all eventually outgrow it...like Sam. So, the pediatrician started her on an antibiotic. She slept most of the day.
Thursday I took her temperature before I ever woke her up. Her temperature was still 101 so I didn't even bother waking her up to send her to school. By about 2 pm on Thursday Sam told me she wanted to try going to school. So, I sent her to school for about the last hour. After school she seemed to be doing ok, so we went to dance. After dance it was apparent that we had done too much. She went to bed kinda early, without doing any homework.
This morning I woke her up & told her to get ready for school. She immediately began telling me she wasn't feeling well, etc. I pleaded with her to go to school at least long enough to take her spelling test. Nope. Wasn't happening. So, I called the ENT's office to see if there were any available appointments (which there wasn't). So, I asked if I could leave a message for Dr. Blotter. I briefly told the receptionist what was going on. Less than 10 minutes later a nurse called me back & I then explained to her what was going on. Now, let's face it, I am no stranger to prescriptions, infections, or much of anything in the way of ear/sinus infections. The nurse proceeded to tell me that the prescription would stay in her system for 10 days even though she only took if for 3 (duh the kid is allergic to penicillin, all she ever takes is zythromax). Then she told me that it was likely just a virus but, if I was that worried, she would squeeze us in at 10:45 so Dr. Blotter could look at her. I took the appointment & hung up rather annoyed with the nurse.
Fast forward to a little after 10 when I arrive at the ENT's office. We sat and waited and waited and waited. On the bright side, I was able to almost finish my required reading from my text book for my meeting next Friday. Finally we go in. When he saw me he said that we shouldn't have jinxed ourselves earlier this week by saying they outgrow it! I explain to Dr. Blotter what's going on so he takes a look. Well apparently her left ear has created a vacuum of sorts and her ear drum is being sucked into the ear canal. Awesome, right? Her right ear is a little waxy, but nothing major. He takes a look at her nose. It is the worst looking nose he's seen in a long time. It looks "very, very allergic". What does this mean? Allergies. He said that with her being on a prescription and her not getting better would be because the pollen count has gone way up. He gave me two prescriptions. One is a steroid that she takes SIX times a DAY for SIX DAYS. The other is a nasal spray that she does 2 times a day. We will also need to continue the Claritan we've been doing for a week. And, last but certainly not least, we scheduled allergy testing. (She's not happy about this one after watching the video & seeing the kids with hives on their arms.) We finally left the ENT's office a little after 12.
I find it odd that neither Travis or I has bad pollen allergies but Samantha is apparently going to suffer horrendously. Travis suffers from hay fever a little, but nothing major. And really only when he helps bale hay & is in the thick of it. I don't have any pollen allergies at all (I'm allergic to just about everything else though).
So this week we've had the pleasure of:
1-Brooke's tube was clogged again at our appointment on Monday so we get to continue ear drops & go back next week.
2-5 chiropractor appointments for various people in the house.
3-A trip to the pediatrician for Sam which resulted in 1 rx & an ear infection diagnosis
4-A trip to the ENT which resulted in 2 more rx & an allergy diagnosis & allergy testing for Sam
5-I missed 2 days of work & am getting a tickle in my throat & a cough
6-A trip to the eye dr. for Sam which resulted in a nearsighted diagnosis for her & picking out new glasses
7-In between all these fun appointments we've had piano lessons, dance 2 x, me trying to get back with potential sponsors for Relay & a Relay for Life meeting!
It's a good thing their dad comes home on Monday so I can take a break from the dr.'s office! Thank goodness it's FRIDAY!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
The Callahans
So I bought myself a new Kindle Fire before heading to California. I downloaded a bunch of free books onto it that I thought looked as though they might be good ones. I also downloaded a few samples to read before deciding if I want to purchase those particular books.
The first book I read, which actually was a series of 5 books, was called The Callahans. I read all five books in under a week. I think that this shall be a new favorite of mine! These books were amazing! They begin in the late 1800s and span through WW2. It's about 2 main characters who eventually marry. It details there life here in SLC and abroad. I told my mom, "You know, I was aware of the events that occurred during the time span, but I didn't realize that a person alive that long ago would be a witness so so many of these amazing world events." It is true! The book hits the following events: European immigration to the States, transcontinental railroad, Alaska gold rush, doing away with polygamous marriage, the beginning of the Morman missionary program, 1906 earthquake, early 1900 mine strikes in UT, UT statehood, Spanish-American war in Cuba, the Titanic, WW1, the beginnings of Hollywood, the Great Depression, and WW2. It never dawned on me that someone born in the mid 1800s, and survived into adulthood, would witness so many amazing world events.
The book does have a strong LDS theme to it. It details the struggles one man has in letting go of his Catholic faith and accepting the LDS faith.
Without giving the whole series away, all I can say is that this series was amazing! I plan to call my grandpa and inform him it is a series he MUST read! Even though I have the books on my Kindle, I find myself wishing I had hard copies. I have a feeling these will be read again - and that's not something I usually do!
Happy Reading!
The first book I read, which actually was a series of 5 books, was called The Callahans. I read all five books in under a week. I think that this shall be a new favorite of mine! These books were amazing! They begin in the late 1800s and span through WW2. It's about 2 main characters who eventually marry. It details there life here in SLC and abroad. I told my mom, "You know, I was aware of the events that occurred during the time span, but I didn't realize that a person alive that long ago would be a witness so so many of these amazing world events." It is true! The book hits the following events: European immigration to the States, transcontinental railroad, Alaska gold rush, doing away with polygamous marriage, the beginning of the Morman missionary program, 1906 earthquake, early 1900 mine strikes in UT, UT statehood, Spanish-American war in Cuba, the Titanic, WW1, the beginnings of Hollywood, the Great Depression, and WW2. It never dawned on me that someone born in the mid 1800s, and survived into adulthood, would witness so many amazing world events.
The book does have a strong LDS theme to it. It details the struggles one man has in letting go of his Catholic faith and accepting the LDS faith.
Without giving the whole series away, all I can say is that this series was amazing! I plan to call my grandpa and inform him it is a series he MUST read! Even though I have the books on my Kindle, I find myself wishing I had hard copies. I have a feeling these will be read again - and that's not something I usually do!
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Happy Easter
For Easter I took all four kids and went to Manti. Caleb has been asking since we came home from Manti at Christmas when he could go see Grandpa Butter again. I gotta give it to him, the boy LOVES his great grandpa and the farm!
On Saturday morning we went to the town Easter egg hunt. I think it was Sam that asked why it's called an Easter egg hunt when they don't even hide the eggs! Good point. The egg hunt down there is nothing like here at home. They take the city park and divide it into 3 different areas 1-ages 0-3, 2-ages 4-7 and 3-ages 8-5th grade. So yes, I had 4 kids in 3 different arenas. Obviously I opted to stay with the little ones. I threw a few tootsie rolls in B's basket but other than that just helped point out candy to Caleb. They all got more than enough candy! It was beautiful weather for the egg hunt this year, it was just kinda chilly.
Saturday afternoon we headed out to Easter Hollow (White Hills) for the Whitlock party. There wasn't as many in attendance as there usually is, but it was still fun. The weather was amazing! B's head got a bit sunburned! Grandma Kris even busted out the sunscreen for the kids! The kids were climbing this big hill and loved playing in the dirt. Later they threw (rather than rolled) their eggs off the hill. It was fairly entertaining to watch from the bottom.
Saturday night the kids dyed Easter eggs (again) at Grandma Bown's house. We had to have all our egg knockin' eggs dyed! They kids were excited to color eggs again - this time with Grandma Kris & Aunt Jamie AND their cousins!
Sunday morning the kids woke up and had to find their Easter baskets. The Easter Bunny didn't hide any of them too difficult this year.
Notice the candy in sister's hand & mouth? Yeah, the Easter Bunny DID NOT leave her any candy. Sister has turned into Swiper the Fox from Dora & managed to get what she wanted out of her brother's bucket. Luckily I caught her before she choked on any wrappers!
I love her chubby little chocolate face!
Checking out the treasures they got in their baskets.
Sunday afternoon we had the Bown party at the farm. All the kids got Easter baskets and a few Easter eggs that had candy in them. These were the best pictures I could get of my kids!
And last, but not least, my baby turned 11 months old yesterday! Where has the time gone? Suddenly she's such a big girl! She says "dada", "Daw (dog)", "Char (Charlotte)", "Sis (for Sam)", "Na (for Nash)", "hi" and "yea". She has got some of the best facial expressions I've ever seen on a kid. She grins like there's no tomorrow and she's generally quite happy. She has 6 teeth now & loves ALL food! In fact, when I gave her a piece of strawberry the other day she snarfed up hers, realized Caleb had a bowl full and started screaming at him and smacking him until he forked some of his over! My mom says, "Well, she does come from a long line of good eaters." It's true, she does, we LOVE our food! Her hair has gotten quite long and we've been doing a top knot on her head. She had managed to pull it out before I got her picture though. At least she's eating a cracker and not one of her bows like usual! And the trait I find the most amusing (until some time in the very near future), she gets the same mischievous look in her eyes that Caleb does! We ARE in trouble!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)