Health Issues

The other day I made a doctors appointment for all of the kids - we have bounced around from Dr. to Dr. since moving out here and I finally found a well recommended pediatrician, and since it is officially back to school time, I figured it was time for some check ups. The day before our appointment all 3 kids came down with a horrible cold, perfect timing ! We arrived at the office and registered ( i must tell you all that this doctor's office was amazing ! The kids loved the waiting room - one of the nurses came out and put on Shrek for the kids, they were in Heaven) We only waited a few minutes before being called back, and the nurses were super friendly! They let each of the kids play with the scale, bp cuff, and thermometer, this eased a lot of Keiran's fears - she wants to be a doctor now when she grows up. The doctor came in and talked to all of the kids, he talked to me about home schooling the kids, and was super supportive.

Keiran was the first to be checked, which always makes me nervous, but she was great. He asked the dreaded question though. "Are her immunizations up to date?" They are not, Keiran had a horrible reaction to her 12 month immunizations and has not had any since, her leg swelled to double its normal size and she had a golf ball size lump at the injection site for 2 months, plus a 104 degree fever for 3 days. I explained this to the doctor, expecting to be yelled at or pressured into having her immunized - he did none of that, his actual words were "I understand, we can explore this again when she is a little older." He checked her lungs and determined that Keiran has asthma - a mild case but asthma none the less - she has been on steroids for the last week - we stop those in 3 days, and she is now on a daily nasal inhaler.

Mackenzie was next - Now, I told her that she would not need any immunizations before we got there (it used to be Kindergarten and then 5th grade) Starting this year they have recommended that children get a 2nd dose of the chicken pox vaccine and a Hep A series, so that meant 2 shots for Mackenzie. Mackenzie does not handle shots well, but she was a champ - a few tears were shed but she did well. She has a inner and middle ear infection in both ears and a sinus infection.

Aodhan was the last to be checked - I knew he was in for a few shots (he is entering Kindergarten) The doctor checked Aodhan and was concerned about some breathing patterns he exhibited, and the size of his tonsils and adenoids. He asked if he was a snorer - Yes a very loud snorer !! He is concerned that Aodhan has sleep apnea (Jim has sleep apnea) Aodhan will see an ENT specialist, who will decide if it would be best for them to take his adenoids and tonsils out (the Dr said he thinks this will be the best solution, but wants an ENT opinion too). He also got 5 shots and had blood drawn - he was a strong little trooper though and did pretty well, all though he broke my heart when he told me "Momma, I love you so much will you please just take me out of here before they come back with the shots, please just take me home!"

I was very excited to finally find an incredible pediatrician that seems to fit our family. The Dr. was so nice and really took his time with all of the kids, he laughed and joked around with them, and really took the time to talk to them getting to know them. It just really stinks to find out that your kids have health issues. Please keep the kids in your thoughts and prayers. I know that the asthma is not super serious but I hope it is something she outgrows rather than gets worse, and I hope that Aodhan's pending surgery goes just as smoothly as possible and his recovery is quick!