Sorry things have been a little quiet around here. I wish I could say it was because we’re so busy soaking up the holiday spirit there is no time to blog. Unfortunately, we’ve had a rough few days around here. Late last week I brought Teagan in to his ENT for an ear followup and everything looked good, awesome news! We also chatted about the possibility that he may have obstructive sleep apnea. Taryn had it from about 18 months on and we never knew until she was 4…yeah, long time. This go around we knew the signs and what to look for and we’ve just seen way too much of it in Teagan. Our ENT agreed and sent us to get x-rays THAT DAY. The results came back that he does indeed need to have his adenoids removed, they are severely enlarged. And even though we had a hunch and in the back of our minds we “knew”….we hoped we were crazy. They told us he needs surgery asap, as in, the day before Christmas Eve. UGH. I just wanted to crawl in bed and scream no over and over again. 3 surgeries and a broken arm between 2 of our 3 kids, in one year, in that moment, was more than my little mommy heart could handle. Or so I thought. Jason and I decided to sleep on the surgery schedule decision and call them back the next day. That night, Teagan had yet another breathing episode. He’s had many (no time to link them all but I have blogged about a few). When we heard him gasping in his sleep I ran from one side of the house and Jase ran from the other, we met at his bedroom door with knowing “%$FF#” looks on our faces. I sat him up, Jase turned on a steamy shower and we called our pedi immediately. Again. He’s had breathing issues since right after he was born….we almost lost him that day and it scares us to no end. This attack was bad enough that he’s now been officially diagnosed with asthma. Hard to hear but I’m trying to remember that it’s just a label and it doesn’t change how he’s feeling or doing. What it does do is give us POWER. To help him. To have meds here at home instead of rushing him to the ER every time. We can put him on the nebulizer here and get him opened up immediately. Power to help him. Power to feel secure that we’re not 15 minutes away from help. Power in knowing that each time he has one of these episodes, it is damaging his lungs, and we can cut that short. Power. I’ll take it. The condition of his airways sealed the deal on the surgery. There is no way he can be intubated at this point. Our pedi made that decision for us, without question. He will still need the surgery, but he recommends waiting until flu season is over to put him back in the hospital because if Teagan were to catch the flu, it could be bad, really bad. So now we wait. And do preventative breathing treatments at home no less than twice a day. The good news is that the meds for the asthma will likely help reduce the size of his adenoids. I’m thankful for that because the two conditions combined can be bad as they both involve airflow to his lungs. He hated the first treatment. He yelled and cried “OWIE” even though nothing was touching him (I was holding the mask up to his face as he refused to have the strap on it AT ALL). I assure you it did not hurt, he does the same thing when he gets paint on his hands 😉 His second treatment went much better, Ty fast forwarded Elmo’s World and blared it over the sound of the nebulizer. He did awesome sitting there like a big boy. Thank God for Ty and Elmo!
And a bright point at the end of my day yesterday….I got called in to photograph a birth last night. It had been a rough two days but I got to step back, do what I love, do what takes my breath away and be present for a miracle. It is the only thing that could have made my day better. It was amazing and wonderful and peaceful and just so many things. And I am thankful for being reminded once again of the miracles that surround me in so many ways. I’ll be back soon with the sneak peek….
ps- I am extremely behind on emails. I hope to tackle them later tonight, thanks for your patience!
Ugh. I had a feeling something was wrong when you hadn’t updated the blog in a while, and I admit I was stalking b/c I got worried about you guys! I’m sorry about Teagan, but it seems like you are surrounded by some wonderful Drs for the kids, which is truly a blessing. I wish I could say the same about the Drs here, but I can’t 🙁
If you don’t mind, and if you ever get a moment, could you fill me in on the warning signs you had for the sleep apnea? Jayden has been having seizures (he had 2 yesterday) even while on anti seizure medication. He had an MRI done that was normal and an EEG done twice and it was abnormal both times bc he seems to have seizures all day. Right now he’s diagnosed with epilepsy and the Dr is scheduling tests to rule out other issues, one of them being sleep apnea. His appt with the ENT is Tuesday of next week and I really want to be prepared and to bring up any concerns we may have. Honestly, I know surgery is rough, but if I had to choose between epilepsy and sleep apnea, I’d choose the one that can be fixed with surgery, so I’m kind of hoping that this is our issue, as sad as that sounds. I know you are swamped with emails, but if you get a moment, I’d be very grateful! I’ll be praying for you guys!
Please know that I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. You and Jason are some of the strongest people I know and I know without a doubt you are doing everything perfect for your children. Stay strong momma!!
I hope the Asthma diagnosis brings some sort of peace to Teagan until more can be done. Hugs to everyone!
Was thinking about you since you haven’t updated…sorry about Teagun but glad that you now have a plan–to me everything seems a little easier if I have that “plan”. Averted pre-Christmas surgery sounds good too!
Glad you have a birth tonight and hopefully the chance to “breathe -in” what you love. Sending good thoughts across the internet for this solution to work and for a happy and HEALTHY 2010!!!!
Wow, sorry to hear about all your medical run ins. I just had my first baby and am not looking forward to all the doctor visits. My husband is a doctor so he always scares me with all the things that can go wrong, of course he doesn’t mention the how rare problems are and thousands of times things goes right. I’m sure things will go just fine. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ugh. You guys have been through WAY too much this year. I really hope these home treatment work their magic and give Teagan the relief he desperately needs. Can’t wait to see the sneak peek & to see you Saturday!!! 🙂
I knew there was something wrong when you had not updated your blog. I’m sorry to hear about Teagan but at least you know what is going on now and you can help him. There are some fun cute masks for little kids, I know my daughter has asthma so she has several masks. I hope next year is a better year for your family. I will be praying his surgery, once he’s confirmed goes well and he comes out of all this healthy. Hopefully he has childhood asthma which they outgrow at some point. From California a big fan of your family life and your photography!
Wow. Just wow. When it rains, it pours, doesn’t it? I can’t imagine going through this many illnesses/surgeries with your kids, all in one year, on top of running your own business. You are doing an amazing job, and I’m so glad that you can see the blessing in having Teagua’s asthma diagnosed. It will be better for you, for him, to know what to do when he starts having breathing problems.
May your family have a blessed holiday season. I hope you are able to find some time to relax and enjoy each other as this year winds down!
We are an asthma household as well. It’s scary, but manageable now that you know what you’re dealing with and how to approach it (and it will get even better as you learn his triggers). There have been quite a few studies showing that some of the antioxidants in fresh apples significantly reduce the number of asthma exacerbations- not sure if he likes them, but it doesn’t hurt. I try to get my daughter to eat at least one apple a day, her asthma has been pretty controlled for a few months now!
WOW L many prayers for yall! crazy we too are fighting the adnoid battle with cheeks#2 and at 17 months its plain scary! here’s to getting thru flu season!
Lyndsay,
Hang in there with the asthma issue. Weston has been using the “nebs” since he was 8 months old. Teagan will get used to it. It seems scary now, but that is because it is relatively new to you. Around the age of 2, Weston was wanting to open the medicine himself. He turns the machine on and off by himself now. Teagan may even grow out of it. Our ped. doctor says that happens a lot and I have noticed Weston uses it less and less now. You and Teagan will do fine, keep the faith.
I’m so sorry you’ve had a couple of rough days. I’ll be praying for Teagan and your whole family! Poor little guy
I’m was in the “worried because you hadn’t updated” camp, too! Does that make me a stalker? :o) I’m so sorry…you guys have been through so much!
Anyway…I have SO been there. It was just a little over a year ago that I woke up at 4 am to my daughter coughing. Something told me to go in and check on her, and if I hadn’t, I don’t know what would have happened. She was gasping for air, and her lips were turning blue. We rushed her to the ER, as she had been dealing with breathing issues for awhile, but the doctors had always told us it was just her way of responding to a cold. We spent three long days in the hospital, waiting for her oxygen levels to go back up and doing neb treatments every hour.
The good news is that since then, we are able to do preventative treatments as well, and we know what to look for immediately when she is having problems. It is so much easier now that we know what we are dealing with, but I’ve also been worried sick the past few months with the flu and h1n1 going around. I am not paranoid by nature, but between a daughter with asthma and a new baby at home, I can’t help but want to lock us up in our home until next spring!
Best of luck, and I hope the little guy is feeling better soon! Have a wonderful Christmas!
Oh, and my tip for the neb treatments…do it while he is sleeping! If you can just hold the mask over their nose while they’re sleeping it is so much easier.
Glad you are getting some answers for baby T. We are well acquainted with the nebulizer…no asthma, but we use it every time the kids get a cough. Obviously, I don’t know what kind of sleeper T is, but I have great luck letting my little guy sleep for an hour or 2 and then plucking him out of his crib and giving him a treatment while he is half asleep. We usually do that around 9 or 10pm. Might be worth a shot! Best of luck.