Sick

Well, Robert's sick. He made it about a week and a half after coming off the Pulmicort before coming down with something. He started getting a runny nose several days ago and then the night before last he coughed a couple of times so I immediately started the Xopenex and did them (roughly) every four hours. Then last evening he started in with the pitiful sounding barking cough so I started him on Pulmicort too. I now know to start the Pulmicort when his nose starts running and Xopenex as soon as the coughing starts. (As always, these are just notes to myself for future reference.)

I was prepared for an awful night last night and even went to bed early knowing I'd probably be up with him after a few hours. Sure enough, 12:30 rolled around and I heard a few coughs and then he woke up. I did another treatment and then it took a loooong time to get him back down. Thankfully the coughing stopped, he just wasn't tired, wouldn't let me lay on his floor and sleep and eventually got up to play. I figured I'd just let him until he got tired. I guess I dozed off and woke up when I heard "Vroom vroom" coming from downstairs. Whoops. He had mozied on down and started playing with his cars in the dark.

Finally around 4:00 I left him in his room to cry, praying that his crying wouldn't exacerbate his cough. He only cried for a few minutes before falling asleep and his cough never flared up. And then he was awake by 7:00.

He's been acting fine the whole time, playing, no fever and he just had a slight cough this morning, but I decided to try and get him in to make sure his lungs weren't infected. I normally wait it out a day or two but with it being Friday, I didn't want to wait.

Both the doctor and I were amazed that his lungs were clear!! I am elated! The doctor was sure he would hear wheezing and even felt weird sending me away without a steroid and antibiotic. This is the first time he hasn't needed both, but he felt like he really didn't need them this time. He also didn't want me to have to deal with Robert on steroids. For that I am appreciative. Of course, he may get worse, but his coughing is almost non-existent now, he isn't congested like he was and I've heard no more barking. I'm to call the doctor at home this weekend if he goes downhill.

I am so, so excited at the prospect of being able to control his asthma by starting the meds only when he's sick since during illnesses is the only time he's ever wheezed. After being on the Xopenex for 24 hours, he was biting and hitting all day yesterday and the fits have started back up. I haven't missed that stuff. I just pray this keeps it under control and we can avoid the daily maintenance. I guess only time will tell.