Saturday, March 31, 2012

To Con, Coerce and Cajole

How to Con, Coerce, and Cajole.  That sounds like it should be the title of a book were I to write one now.  After another series of medical issues including allergy, asthma, and illness, all at once, its been a challenge to get the Babe to take medicine.  The first "incident" had us debating whether she had an allergic reaction or was sick.  Two days later we took her to her pediatrician when she seemed to be getting sicker, whereupon her doctor diagnosed both an allergic reaction and asthma attack.  Now we have a nebulizer at home.  When that wasn't fully resolving her breathing issues, we took her to the ER that same night, only to find out she also has a virus.  The medication regime her physician started is the same, but we are still trying to get the Babe to take an oral steroid that apparently is horrible to taste, in addition to using the nebulizer. 

While in the pediatrician's office, she had her first nebulizer treatment of the day.  It took the Babe's father, myself, and a very nice nurse to get her to have her treatment in the office.  So, how did we get her to take it at home?  It came with a cute fishy mask, and somehow, with stickers and enough distraction, she participated.  By her second round, she was even willing to hold the mask up to her face by herself. 

That is one hurdle currently tackled.  Next came the steroid.  Even cut with apple juice, she still can taste the medication.  So, I tried to come up with a drinking song appropriate for a three-year-old (not that I know any inappropriate drinking songs).  Then came counting...a television program...and assorted bribes.  She had about one-third of her dose during the course of a half hour program, but still has a lot more to take.  More bribes to come.

And lastly, despite spending the majority of our hospital visit crying to go home, she did have a few gems.  My proudest was when the young radiology tech came to get her, he asked if she could spell her last name.  She was able to spell her first and last name for him.  While she wasn't in the best of moods or feeling very well, she could still tell stories to the triage nurses and let everyone know exactly what she wanted and what she most definitely did not want.  Today, while still recovering, she is very happy, even dancing on occasion to music on t.v.  Eventually things may go back to normal...whatever that is.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Vitamin C

Today the Babe is sick.  She has a runny, drippy nose, and has gone through a significant amount of Kleenex.  As a result, I have chicken soup cooking in the crockpot for dinner.  We are staying indoors most of the day.  Well, we did go out for a little bit because the Babe got a brand new bicycle yesterday.  It is purple, her favorite color, and she has a blue, pink and heart decorated helmet.  My child does not shy away from color or patterns.

As it is very cold out today, we couldn't stay outside too long.  I needed something to tempt her away from her new bicycle.  Oranges!  How do you distract a three year old from a bicycle with oranges?  We made fresh orange juice.  Not only was it an activity, but it got some much needed vitamin C into her system.  We used a citrus juicer that rests over a cup, and manually twisted and squeezed out juice.  It was fun and delicious.  Now, time to snuggle on the couch with more Kleenex and juice.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

My Little Apple

The Babe is a bossy little thing. She does not grasp that adults are not meant to be told what to do by a three year old. She on occasion even has the stance with a hand on one hip and the other hip jutted out.

We have been having some gorgeous, unseasonably warm spring days here, which means more outdoor play. The other day an older gentleman passed by our home while taking a walk. Our street does not have sidewalks, so he was walking along the curb. The Babe immediately said how he shouldn’t be walking on the street. Luckily, it wasn’t shouted at him (the Babe is not shy, and has no issue shouting hello to people a half a block away). I informed the Babe that, one, without sidewalks that is the only place to walk. Two, he was being careful. And most importantly, three, he is an adult, and can make these decisions. Children do not direct adults, adults direct children. I suspect this will be our new mantra. She needs to learn this lesson, and it will probably take a while for it to set in. While we may laugh and think it’s cute now, it will mean trouble in the future if not addressed now.

For anyone who knows me, they are probably laughing because this problem would of course develop in my child. Why? Because I was a know-it-all (yes, I probably still am), and either asked really embarrassing questions without realizing it (can we say “precocious”?), or told people how things should be done. Sounds very familiar right now. Guess the apple really doesn’t fall very far from the tree.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Who's That?

The Babe really likes to play with other people. She is not big on playing by herself. She’s an only child. This means Mommy is always called for, even if she’s doing something that could be done alone. She recently got a new toy- a very cool cash register that seems to have all the bells and whistles. Well, no whistles, but a movable conveyor belt and calculator. I don’t mind going to the store, but I really don’t want to play shop all day long. So after the first hour of having this toy, I suggested she play with Sasha. No, not her real life friend Sasha. Her imaginary friend Sasha (name the Babe picked). If she’s going to claim to have an imaginary friend, I’m going to take advantage of it. Sure enough the Babe went with it, and played nicely. Amazing how there are no fights for toys or who goes first when played with an imaginary friend. While I’d like her to play more with real friends (sadly, they’re all in school or living in other states), I’ll take the break provided by “Sasha”.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Thoughtless Act

As I previously mentioned, we got to hear an author living with food allergies speak at a meeting for parents’ of children with food allergies. First, I recommend the book. Its an interesting insight into food allergies. However, there was one thing that struck me while we sat at this meeting. Before it started, the meeting leader (a founder of this mother’s group) introduced a couple who were plugging their new product. It was for nut-free cookies, made in a nut-free facility, to be sold in individual packages or in raw form for schools and other food service providers. They provided wrapped samples. Here’s what got me. While nut free, the cookies had other ingredients that the speaker was known to be allergic to. Did the meeting leader suggest people refrain from eating the cookies until after the meeting? No! I was stunned, and upset for the speaker. The speaker did not comment, although was paying attention to the presentation. I guess she was so used to this, that she just let it go. I really wanted to say something, but I haven’t been to enough meetings. My husband and I abstained from the cookies, but all I could think of was how thoughtless and rude they were to their guest speaker, especially from a group who fight for their children over this very issue.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Living an Allergic Life

There hasn't been much to write about lately since our routine has been pretty static.  The Babe still comes up with great lines, and is as always, entertaining.  However, day-to-day isn't particularly exciting lately.  Spring will be here soon, and maybe that will wake me up a bit.

In the meantime, my husband and I had the opportunity to hear an author speak.  The fact that my husband attended is a big deal, since his work right now is extremely time-consuming, and the Babe frequently mentions how she misses her Daddy, since he frequently arrives home from work either after she's asleep, or within an hour of her bed-time. 

We heard Sandra Beasley speak at a MOCHA meeting.  She is the author of, "Don't Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales From an Allergic Life".  She is an adult who grew up with, and still lives with, several major food allergies.  The book is part memoir, part social and scientific discussion of food allergies.  What was so great about this is she gives first-hand descriptions of what her life is like, navigating through social and educational situations, with her allergies.  Its a look into what our child's future may be like if she doesn't out-grow her allergies. 

Sandra is a bright, articulate, attractive, positive person.  She just so happens to have food allergies.  It has not stopped her from obtaining a college degree, living on campus, traveling, and working.  She did not do these things without significant allergic reactions, but she did not and apparently does not let food allergies stop her from living as normal a life as possible. 

We walked away from the discussion with some added insights and things to keep in mind for our little one's future.  While we pray she outgrows her food allergies, we know one day with or without allergies she will be out in the real world navigating it on her own.  For now, we will hover, protect, and proceed to provide her as safe an environment as we possibly can.  In the end though, she will be the one who has to recognize what's safe and what's not for herself, and how to respond appropriately.