Just when I thought we were getting a handle on my little man’s asthma our trip to Minnesota proved otherwise. Between the very high pollen count and loving touching the cats he is allergic too, we ended up in the hospital on the last day of our trip. I felt so badly for him, but I questioned over and over if I should even bring him in. Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, and I was worried I may be over reacting.
We were supposed to go to the zoo that morning. We’ve visit MN several times, but this time I really wanted to take him to the zoo. Since it was pretty much raining our whole trip there, I knew K was chomping at the bit to get out and he was still wanting to play. Yet there we were. The kids were both loaded into the car. It was my last chance to make the call to go to the hospital.
I called my mom. She asked if I could see him breathing in his throat. Yes, I could. I could hear him wheezing, coughing, not being able to sleep, and yet I still worried that by bringing him in someone would think I was over reacting or being “that mom”. My sister in law Mindy (whom I love and couldn’t have asked for a cooler sister-in-law) said to me if it was something that had me worried it was better to get checked out. It’s funny, I’ve been a mom for 4 years now, worked with kids for much longer, and yet here I was still questioning myself. I thought about the bill, I thought about spending our whole day in the hospital, and then I looked at K – he just looked awful. I knew my initial instinct to go to the ER was the right one. So we headed to Children’s Hospital.
Once we got there, K stopped playing. He wanted to, and tried, but he was pretty much not resisting sitting down (which if you know my son you know that’s rare). Even while we were there the doubt crept into my head. His breathing had settled a little bit, most likely due to the fact that he was still sitting down. I shut it down. We were there. He would be seen.
I knew having grown up with asthma that sometimes even with the rescue inhaler, the preventative inhaler, the allergy meds, and the extra allergy meds, asthma can sometimes creep up and be really hard to get a handle on. I knew watching him struggle for sleep the night before, and then get wound up the next morning on lack of sleep and too much medicine that he needed more that what I could give him. I watched him struggle for breath and remembered how helpless I felt when I was little and struggling for air. I knew we needed to be there.
I’m glad we went. While is oxygen level was good, he was really struggling for every breath. K ended up needing prednisone and two breathing treatments. He perked up quickly and was anxious to go home.
I wish I could say I won’t second guess my mom instincts again, but I know that isn’t true. This isn’t the first time I worried about making the best choice for my child, I know it won’t be the last. I will always question every choice I make for my children again and again. Perhaps that even makes me a better parent? Who knows? I’m just glad I was able to get him the medical attention he needed when he needed it.
FYI If you are ever in need of an ER in the St. Paul area I highly recommend Children’s Hospital. It was probably one of the best ER visits we’ve had, I mean as far as good hospital visits go. The staff was incredibly nice and everything was very efficient.
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Have you considered doing acupuncture with him. It is helping my dad quite a bit.
Oh, Emily, I am so sorry! It’s so hard to control little ones when they have a health issue. I hope he doesn’t go to the hospital anytime again soon!
Been there, done that. So scary. Asthma is NOT fun. You will always know what is best for your child and good for you for trusting your mommy instincts.
Poor thing! 🙁
I have a sister and a sister-in-law that both have asthma – definitely not fun at all!
awww poor baby. Hugs to him I hope he’s doing better
So glad he is ok. I don’t think there could be anything much worse than not being able to breathe.
Oh my goodness, I did not know this happend. So happy to hear that he is okay, so scary.
Awwww…poor baby.
I’m so sorry he had such a rough time 🙁 I have been to several doctors & tried several medications & am yet to get my asthma under control so I totally get it. I also totally get the second guessing- I do that a lot. I’m glad you took him in though.
I hate all these things that harm out babies and there’s nothing we can do to fix it 🙁 Hoping he’s better now!! Love that baby was keeping him company 🙂
I hate that you little man has to deal with asthma. I grew up with asthma myself and am so thankful that my son does not have it.
Poor baby, so glad to hear he is okay!
Ugh, I wouldn’t want to see my child have an asthma attack, it really does such
Oh no. I’m glad he’s ok. The pollen has been crazy bad over there too. I take local bee pollen to help.
I so know how you feel, my oldest son has asthma and I remember some nights wondering if I should or shouldn’t go. I have never had to take him to the ER but I often debated about the doctors. After quite a few years we are now able to tell when he needs to go but that is because he is 15 and he is able to say “mom I need to go to the doctors”. I’m glad he is feeling better.
Poor guy! My cousin grew up with severe asthma as a child with inhalers and some machine he had to use more than once a day. He’s all grown up now and his asthma is completely gone.
So glad you were seen promptly and that everything is ok!
The pollen is awful around here & my daughter is all clogged up from it. I can only imagine how tough it must be to have asthma on top of it. I’m glad little guy is feeling a bit better after the treatments.
Poor thing! I have no experience with asthma, but I can imagine how scary it is for you both.
Poor kiddo – hope he’s feeling much better.
I’m so sorry this happened to you 🙁
Asthma in young children is terrifying. I have asthma and it sucks but it was adult diagnosed. I hope your little man stays healthy and free for episodes.
Poor sweet boy! I haven’t had to deal with that but I can imagine how terrifying it must have been to handle.
I can completely relate. Our daughter is an asthma patient with complications. Any little change in weather, can spark it and it takes her 3 weeks to shake it off and fully recover. Prednisone is amazing and is give to her once a year. She used to take a daily dose of singulair but last year when it was increased from4 mg to 5 mg the side effects began and we had to stop.
Poor little guy. I’m glad he’s doing better now.
Your mommy instincts were firing on all pistons so I’m glad you listened. That’s the one thing I’ve learned over the years. Follow my gut.
What a little trooper! Glad to hear he’s okay.
Bless his lil’ heart! So sorry he has to go through this. Children’s Hospitals are just amazing! <3
Being a parent really can be a mystery game can’t it?! My daughter is 17 and as much as I have learned and discovered, there is still a long way for me to go too. To my amazement, I wonder how I ever made it to raising her to almost adulthood with no major incidents!