Category Archives allergies

An eye glue experience

Dear NHL,

Right now you are sleeping peacefully in your bed. This is a very good thing after the last few days. I know you do not understand everything that is going on, but mommy and daddy will take care of you. We promise to get your allergies under control so that the stuffy nose and cough leave you alone.

Just when we thought that was the only thing going on you woke up screaming and so scared just before 4:00 this morning. When Daddy arrived in your room you declared that your eye was stuck shut. Sure enough your left eye had junk all around it. You were such a brave kiddo letting Daddy get everything off. Of course you would not go back to sleep. You were too afraid of your eye getting glued shut again.

When we went to the doctor today you were such a big boy telling them everything that was wrong. You even mentioned how you bit your own hand while eating breakfast. Thank goodness we found out that your breathing is nothing serious, your ears look fine, but the eye is a different story. You most definitely have pink eye (Mommy knew that) and now have to use medicine for a week.

I know that you hate having eye medicine, but please try to be brave. When you kick, scream, and move around it only takes that much longer. Daddy and I promise to do our part to make this go as quickly as possible.

To Urgent Care we go

 I love you kindergarten kid,

Mommy

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I found a neat new Mommy meme and decided to participate. To join in please click on the button below. 



Dear Kid Saturdays at Cutest Kid Ever

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Singular Detox

Nobody ever tells you that taking a child off of an allergy medicine could be hazardous to your own health. Seriously, taking NHL off of Singular, thanks to it poisoning his body, has been hellish for all involved. His mood, behavior, tantrums, and impulsivity have been better overall, but every so often the horrid Singular shows its ugly face.

Last Monday NHL had a fabulous day at school. Tuesday and Wednesday he was home for Rosh Hashana. Tuesday was not too bad. He was pretty good at services, but Wednesday was a different story. I took NHL to the services for kids in kindergarten to second grade. What I witnessed was pretty much what NHL’s teachers had been describing. He was unable to sit still, he was nervous acting, he acted on pure impulses and had no control of what he was saying/doing. It was horrible. Of course I understood that my child had no idea of what he was doing, but the other people there did not. Our of sheer horror of looks and stares I finally was able to get NHL to leave with me. Of course he came with me making a major scene. I was mortified!

Thursday NHL had another rough day in kindergarten. His teacher greeted me with the news that he had received five checks/warnings. In addition to this, she mentioned that he had actually hit another child. The consequence of this was to sit and write a letter to the other child and no recess (probably the worst thing for him). Thankfully NHL’s teacher is very understanding and knows that we have only been off the Singular for about a week and it will take 2-4 depending on who you talk to.

*sigh*

Friday was a fabulous day. I was nervous picking NHL up from school since I never know the report I am going to get. Both of his teachers were at the door and put up a "0" – telling me that he had NO warnings all day! One of the teachers actually came out to make sure that NHL told me about all of the wonderful things he had done. She also showed me his notebook with a sticker in it! The kindergarten kid was so happy. He immediately wanted to call JL to tell him about the day. We did that, stopped by Papa at work and then went home. As a treat NHL had a special Friday night with Nana. She said he was like himself again. Calm, talking, and focused. . . things that had been missing for months. 

Super NHL's cape 

Up, up and away!

As we start a new week I am hoping for the best, but know it may still take more time. Patience for items like this have never been my thing. Hopefully Super NHL can show everyone that he can beat that horrible Singular out of his system!

 TheAngelForever

 

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Always trust your instinct

Ever have one of those moments where you just want to slap yourself in the head? Yesterday was one of those days and I should have stopped it long ago.

NHL was diagnosed with seasonal allergies in the spring. He was put on a pediatric dose of Singular. I had been on it as an adult and had wonderful results. Of course at the same time NHL was put on it there was a lot of controversy with the medication and use with children. Our allergist noted the recent  studies and told us to watch and see if there were any behavior changes.

Back in April/May NHL’s teachers mentioned to me that he was acting different. He was more emotional, bothered by things more, and just not himself. When we went back to the allergist in August I told the doctor about this. I told him that it was hard for me to guess if it was the medicine or changes in his life. NHL was just finishing up at a school he loved and getting anxious about kindergarten already, so I had a hard time knowing.

The truth is things really started to fall apart in mid-August, just after our appointment. NHL cried for several days that he did not want to turn five years old. A huge red flag should have gone off in my head, but I was not thinking straight. I thought it was thanks to NHL being nervous about kindergarten. NHL never seemed happy, he was always tired, moped, emotions were high and low, and he was extremely impulsive. For the first time we were also having defiance issues.

When NHL started kindergarten things really blew up in our face. Since he started almost a month ago I have only had two days of slightly decent behavior reports. Yesterday was by far the worst. My son actually colored on his chair at school and when told to stop simply switched colors.

I was beyond mortified and frustrated. I did not know who this five year old child was anymore and talking to him was useless. I went home cried, put in calls for all of his doctors and went to my trusty Google friend and started to search about Singular behavior reactions in pediatric patients.

I quickly found this website and forwarded it on to my husband. JL honestly thought that I had written the June 1st entry since it was SO similar to NHL (just a few subtle differences). The allergists office called back within 10 minutes. He asked questions about the behavior. He did note that I had mentioned concern in August. I told him how things had intensified and I was frightened for my child. He asked if NHL was depressed. I told him about the birthday crying and how he hardly smiled these days, except for the smirk after doing something inappropriate. They called back again 10 minutes after the initial call and told me to STOP the Singular immediately and see if we note any changes in behavior over the next 2-3 weeks.

After that I e-mailed NHL’s teacher with the article and asked her to confirm if what was noted by the one parent sounded like my son. She agreed and thought we were onto something.

Most of the night I kept beating myself up. Why didn’t I stop this months ago? How could I do this to my baby? Why was easy breathing and allergy relief clouding my eyes from seeing the true problem at hand? Could this truly be the problem and wil it make things better so the new school can believe me that my child is not like what they have seen all this time?

Please, please, please learn from my stupid mistake. Always trust your instinct. You know your child best and need to be their advocate. Thank goodness I finally saw the light and hope that my sweet little five year old boy will be back in our life soon.

 TheAngelForever

For JL’s view of things you can check it out here.

 

 

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Weekend full of teething

This weekend it was teething festival here in Angel Land. Not only did my little niece S cut her first two teeth while visiting, but JSL was also hard at work. Friday night into Saturday two tiny points of his upper one year molars finally showed their face. Sunday into Monday JSL was up most of the night. Yesterday he had a low grade fever and sure enough I believe molar four has now graced us. He has been working on these suckers for quite some time. Hopefully having them cut will relieve the pressure. Now I just hope that the fever is gone because it always makes me nervous with him after our adventure and hospital stay in February.

Obviously I have no photos of the teeth, but I am including more attempts at photos of the three cousins from the weekend. Many of you may recall my Mission Impossible post from earlier in the month. Please note these are also to keep Nana happy since she checks in here!

Both of the boys love their little cousin S. NHL and JSL enjoyed showing her all of the new toys at Nana and Papa’s house. 

The boys with cousin S

Watching JSL and S play was too funny. They played follow the leader often, and would get into baby spats over toys. JSL was usually a gentleman and gave his little cousin what she wanted. 

The little ones play at Nana and Papa's

Sunday morning before going home S gave all of us a big scare. She had egg yolk for the first time and had a horrible allergic reaction. Thankfully after some antihistamine you would never know that she had anything happen. It was quite scarry for all of us here, and especially for Aunt M who was away. While we watched to make sure the medicine worked the kids played. 

Cousins play together

Nana had to work during the day and requested once again a photo of all three of the kids. As you know from the previously mentioned Mission Impossible, this is no easy task. Here I present all of the kids together in one way or another. BTW – the program I used to make the collage chopped the parts off, so this was not the best view of these photos. 

Technically all three kids together

Cousin S loved to show everyone she was "So Big" and JSL loved to laugh and dance for the turkey that Papa had. All was good in the land of teething kids. 

Happy babies!

The best thing that happened this weekend. I now know what to get my sweet little niece for her first birthday. She loved the Fisher Price Little People, so I have already told everyone that we are getting her some of those.

TheAngelForever

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A beautiful spring day – ACHOO!

Yesterday morning NHL had his allergy testing done. They had to do five trays worth. I believe each tested for 6-10 different items (environmental, seasonal, animals, and food). My mother went with us to help with JSL so I could wrangle NHL. The nurse told us that she wanted to do the testing on NHL’s back. This allowed NHL to still have his hands free to color and do things to pass the 16 minute wait. He was NOT happy about this. Luckily the nurse allowed him to have an unfilled tray to test on his arm and all of us. He finally stopped fussing and allowed the nurse to do the test.

As mentioned yesterday (Houston he has allergies), several items were positively identified as allergen to NHL. Within minutes there were three that were very red and big. They were for trees, grass and I believe mold. Nothing else was too alarming that I remember. She did note that with testing on children there are often false negatives. So, the fact that these were SO drastic a reaction tells us that he is highly allergic to them. The nurse gave me a pack of information and told me to schedule a follow up appointment with the doctor. She also told me to go back to using allergy medicine until he tells us differently.  We go back on the 29th for the hearing test and the doctor appointment was on the 2nd, but is now the 7th. Silly Mommy forgot to sign up for swim lessons Monday. Thanks to this NHL was locked out of the Monday classes so we signed up for Friday.

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So what does one do after allergy testing on a beautiful spring day when the trees that you are allergic to are blooming? 

Ahhhhh. . . . .

In our house they first eat a popsicle that turns their tongue shades of purple and then we go outside to expose ourself to the allergens while kicking a soccer ball around. 

Planning his attack on Daddy

I know, bad Mommy! However he is a 4 year old and does need fresh air and exercise. So we said the heck with it he needs to do something fun and we went outside.

First NHL was trying to get a soccer ball past JL and JSL. 

Ready to block the soccer ball

JSL was good at blocking shots. Thank goodness NHL listened and did not really kick the ball at his baby brother. Looking back this was probably not a great choice of activities for the little guy. 

My boys play together

Then it was time for NHL to be the goalie and JL and JSL to attack. 

NHL's turn to be "goalie"

The little one was quite annoyed that he was not allowed to go down to play. He did not quite understand that he does not know how to walk on his own just yet. For now he had to be content with playing in Daddy’s arms. 

Little guy wanted down to play

Of course he did manage to get into some trouble up high. He may look innocent, but nobody else is near the action to blame. 

Guess who got Daddy's glasses?!?!

After a while JSL actually started to say "ball" and "kick". When he wanted the ball he said it and then as he was kicking he said that. It was too funny. 

He actually said "ball" and "kick"

Of course then NHL thought it would be hilarious to take the ball and run away from his little brother. 

Action shot

Although it was very bright outside, it was actually past NHL’s bedtime while we were outside. Good thing it was not a school night. This was a view above our house. 

So light out, but really night

It was really nice to see JSL so happy. The poor kiddo just cut tooth #8. In addition to this we now see all four canine teeth coming in and the dentist told us at least three of the molars are moving. Check it out you can see the new tooth just cutting through. 

Did I mention he says "mine" too

Of course he was not too happy when someone took the ball away. I was floored when he actually said "MINE" to JL. What are we in for if he already says that at 11 months old? 

Big ball - little monkey

Here is what I mean.  He was baby yelling at JL for taking the ball.

Hey - I want that!

We all had a really nice evening outside. The boys played soccer, then NHL had fun with new bubbles and the little girl in the house next door. A wonderful evening, even if we ended up sneezing.

Daddy and his little boy

I love this photo of JL with JSL in his arms. I thought I would use it to wrap things up. 

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