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.