Wheezing + Allegies + Virus + Fever

*updated 9/30/09*
Mommy was so wrong. Your brother HATES the nasal chamber for the Albuterol. He did so well at the dr. office, but when we did that at home, he was kicking and screaming. I know it felt like he's being suffocated, but he gotta do it. I thought when he was sleeping, he wouldn't feel it. But when I woke up at 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to do it, he woke up and struggled again. He did much better when I took him to Grandma's today.


Hello Logan,

So this is day 2 and your brother's fever is still around. I felt his forehead last night and early this morning, and he was fine. But after he's up and about, his forehead felt warm again. I measured his temperature with my not-so-accurate thermometer, and it was 99.5. If it was 99.5 with this crappy thermometer, I had a feeling it might be warmer.

So, I went on Kaiser's website to see if I would be lucky enough to get an appointment with the pediatrician today. Score! Appointment at 11:45 a.m., and I still have 1.5 hours to spare. I figured, since I am taking him to do the doctor, I should hold off the Motrin, so that we could get a more accurate temperature.

Your brother has been watching TV all morning. He was active and really was just himself. He did not seem lethargic, and his appetite though not huge, was definitely acceptable. So, I wasn't too concerned. I am more worried that he couldn't go to school tomorrow and I need to figure out how to take care of him, while going to work.

Aside from the fever, I noticed that yesterday and today morning, he was coughing up a storm. It seems to start when he first woke up, still lying in bed. But when he's up, then the coughing subsided.

So, your brother got his height and weight checked (40.5 inches and 36 lbs) and his temperature was at 99.9 degrees. I knew it's higher than what we measured at home. I told the doctor all the information that I had, he listened to your brother's lungs and voila! Wheezing! Doc asked if anyone in the family has asthma....Nope! I told him that Aidan did have one Albuterol treatment when he was very little, and then two more when we were in Macau. He said the possible wheezing, and maybe asthma, plus allergies might be causing the fever. On top of that, your brother might have caught a virus somewhere else (maybe at school since I know a few kids were out sick). Doc asked if I noticed Aidan coughing when he was running around (because of asthma). I don't think so, but then I am not 100% sure. I did notice he has a runny nose when he's at the park, or when I picked him up from school. I just always assume it was allergies, as he would be playing outside in the playground at school where there are trees and grass and dust.

So for now, your brother is prescribed with Albuterol treatment every 4 hours for the next day or two. Then nasal spray to help with the nasal drip twice a day, hopefully to help with the coughing. Doc also suggested to take Claritin for 4-6 weeks to help with allergies. "That's a long time! ", I said, but doc said the antihistamine was very mild and shouldn't be a problem. Doc said to do a phone appointment in 2 weeks to follow-up, and also to get the flu shot as well for the whole family.

Luckily, your big brother was a trooper. He didn't flinch during the Albuterol treatment, nor when I spray into his nostrils. He took the Claritin (like any other flavored medicine I give him) like a champ. I couldn't ask for a more cooperative little boy. But could I ask for a healthy boy? Is it too much to ask for a healthy son?

I also told Doc that we would be moving to Sunnyvale soon and would need to change to a different pediatrician. It was sad, as this Doc has been very supportive throughout your illness, and also your brother's care. He was nice, and quick to respond to my e-mails. He was sad, but said he has friends down in the Santa Clara Kaiser that he could refer us.

Let's hope your brother doesn't really have asthma for the rest of his life, and it's all because of the allergies and a possible virus that cause the wheezing. I know asthma is nothing too serious, but still, it could be for life. Logan, would you look after your big brother and pray for a speedy recovery for him?


Miss you,
Mommy

Videos from The Wiggly Play Center

Day 2: Texas Trip - The Wiggly Play Center!

Hello Sweetheart,

Going to The Wiggly Play Center was something that I absolutely wanted to do during this trip. It's not about site seeing, or eating at fancy restaurants (though I do want to check out Tim Love's restaurant, Lonesome Dove). I think we're more obsessed with The Wiggles! I am still pissed that I missed them when they're in the Bay Area.

Since my friend Judy told me about The Wiggly Play Center in the Dallas area, I've been researching and wanted to check it out. It boasts that it's the only indoor Wiggles-themed play center in the United States! Of course we'll have to go check it out! We're in the area! It's only 20 mins away from our hotel, in Frisco, TX.

So, on our second day, we headed out to hunt down this play center. It was easy to find, and we got there just a little past 10 a.m., when they opened. There was a Wiggles bounce house, a play structure with different slides and obstacle course, many TVs showing The Wiggles, a big screen tv, a cafe, tables and chairs for rest and seating, and a few other token-operated games. I printed out a couple online and it only cost us less than $6.50 (adults are free). We spent a good 2 hours there, and your brother had a lot of fun. I guess the highlight was towards the end when Wags the Dog showed up, and was dancing with the kids for 4 songs. Your brother was dancing and singing, and he definitely knew the lyrics and the dance. I had several clips of the songs, and just had to upload them so that I could show you. Even I had a lot of fun!

Since we went on a Friday, most of the kids there were younger kids who seem to stay at home with their mommies. I think your brother might be one of the older ones there, and Daddy was definitely the only daddy around. At the end, we bought a couple T-shirts, a hat and a Captain Feathersword sword. Those are souvenirs from this trip.

We then went for some bbq (gotta have meat in Texas), went back to the hotel to rest for a little while before the wedding rehearsal in the afternoon. Your brother really didn't nap much during this whole trip.

When we got to the Church for the rehearsal, I had to keep him busy by letting him watch movies on the Ipod Touch. He had to be there because he's the ring bearer, but his part of the rehearsal probably only took 2 minutes. He was paired up with a very pretty and cute flower girl though. They became fast friends, and also with the girls two older brothers.

It was a great day!

To be continued....



Love,
Mommy

Aidan is sick

Hi Logan,

Your big brother has a low grade fever today. This morning when he woke up, and was fine, despite not sleeping enough and some coughing. He was still active in the morning and when he left the house. But then daddy called me at 9 a.m. after dropping him off at school, and said that his head felt a little warm, and he was sleepy in the car. The teacher measured his temperature, 99 degrees, and he pretty much stayed at that in the morning.

I decided to pick him up from school early so that he could rest better at home, and not running around at school. Teacher said he didn't eat much for lunch. When we got home, I gave him some Motrin and tried to get him to nap. However, he just wouldn't sleep. I tried for 1.5 hrs and he was still very much awake. I gave up. I gave him some snacks since he didn't eat much, and he ate a popsicle, leftover pasta from dinner last night and a small piece of granola bar. Wow, he's hungry! Maybe that's why he didn't nap. However, your brother hardly complains about being hungry.

The rest of the afternoon, we just watched more Wiggles and videos from our trip. Mommy just couldn't get any work done from home, aside from a few emails. I had to take the day off tomorrow to take care of him, as he couldn't go back to school yet. The school policy is that he would have to be cleared of his fever for 24 hrs before going back to school.

I gave him another dose of Motrin before he went to bed at 8:30 p.m. He didn't feel too warm, but just in case. Hopefully, his fever is gone.


Love,
Mommy

Day 1 - Texas Trip : Arrival

Hello Logan,

Our trip to Texas was tiring, but fun. Our flight there was uneventful and everything went fine. We arrived earlier than expected, and was picked up by your Granduncle Tom. He was nice enough to scramble (big time!) to find your brother a car seat, get us a hotel (along with other relatives and friends), and really took care of us. He even lent us his GPS device, which was tremendously helpful.

When we arrived at Granduncle and Grandauntie's house, your brother was fascinated by a couple of things: a cute doggie named Oreo, a piano and a keyboard. Those three things kept him happy for a very long time. I never thought your brother would enjoy playing the piano or the keyboard. But then, the keyboard has everything that he likes, lights, buttons and music. He was also so in love with Oreo that it was totally adorable. He was a little apprehensive at first, but was able to warm up to Oreo, and Oreo to him after a while.

Later in the afternoon, we headed out to a playground/park nearby. They had this huge play structure, and a large area with many ducks. We spent almost an hour there. Your brother, despite being tired from the flight, ran around like crazy. He was just walking up and down the play structure to the different 'towers'. I had to really encourage him to try other parts of the structure. Grandaunt Cerina brought some bread, and we were able to feed the ducks and pigeons by the water.

Dinner was served by your Great Grandma from Taiwan, Grandma, and two Grandaunts. A lovely home-cooked meal enjoyed by all four generations. After dinner, we went back to our hotel and totally crashed! We were so tired.



This ends the first day of our trip.


To be continued...


Love,
Mommy