(the note to remind me to pick up her black bear)
I hear “maybe she’ll grow out of it soon” a lot. I have the hopeful thought myself, frequently. She still could grow out of it, but the present reality is that Gracie has landed herself in the hospital something like 10 times in the past 3 1/, 2 yrs or so, with many more ER runs not resulting in admittance. And then there are the flare-ups that respond quickly to the meds and don’t progress enough for any ER or clinic visits at all.
I really am so thankful that we’re not dealing with something tragic and heartbreaking like cancer or heart failure or any of the other sad and awful things that so many really sick children struggle with every day. I tell myself often, “It’s just asthma”.
I mean, really, it’s just asthma. It’s common. I know dozens of people with asthma or whose children have asthma. When I think of how common it is today (An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma (1 in 15 Americans)), I tend to think of it as mild, which it certainly can be, and often is, even for our Gracie. But there is another side. Asthma is not always mild.
Each day 11 Americans die from asthma. That’s more than 4,000 a year in this country alone. That’s more than enough to get my attention as a mother, more than enough motivation to keep an eye on her and to be diligent with her meds, despite my dislike of using so many meds and my preference to treat most things as naturally as I can. She’s my child, one of the bright shining stars in my sky.
After about 48 hours on the oral steroid, which should start having an effect in 12 hours or so, and should really be making an impact on the wheezing in 24 hrs, Grace was still having trouble keeping her O2 up above 92%. Well, she was having a hard time keeping it above 90%, and still sounding really wheezy. Her pediatrician was concerned about the slow bounce back with so many meds on board. (She’s also been on Benedryl and lots of Albuterol.)
When I recounted the tale of the last two nights and how her O2 levels kept dropping even lower as she would sleep, down into the mid-80’s, Dr. S decided that Grace needed to be admitted and observed more closely here where she can get oxygen if and when she needs it.
So here we are. Again.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Praying for Gracie. Asthma can be so scarey, I’ve had it most of my life.
A few years ago I was able to start Xolair, and that has helped significantly. I’ve been off it since December due to my pregnancy, but have still been doing fairly well.
Is that something Grace has tried? I know the insurance companies hate to cover it (it’s very expensive) – but sometimes anything is worth a try.
I’m sorry it has been such a struggle. I hope her asthma stabilizes soon. Good to know she is getting the Oxygen she needs right now, though.
Praying for her and you! I know how rough it is bc we have been there several times before too with asthma! Hope she doesnt have to stay long in the hospital!
I’m a new follower… may I ask what Grace’s triggers are? I have a nephew who learned to count with the drops in his nebulizer, and his triggers were food allergies. Some he grew out of, and some he didn’t. He’s a healthy adult now. I have nephews on the other side of my family who also have asthma. The youngest had more trouble when he was young, and the older one has had more trouble as a teenager.
I’ll be praying that your hospital stay is brief and as pleasant as possible. Glad the storm passed you by.
We know one of her main triggers is viruses, when she catches a bug, she usually progresses to an asthma flare-up. She also seems to be triggered by seasonal & envirnmental allergies, though we haven’t really been able to narrow down which ones yet.
Thanks for stopping by, and for your thoughts and prayers!
I certainly hope your little one gets better quickly and come home soon. Anything that lands your kiddo in the hospital (esp. that many times) is certainly concerning.I’m glad we have access to wonderful treatment in there.