Take a Breath, Baby

January 15
I decided to take Kamden into the doctor's office today. He had been rubbing his ears and I assumed ear infection. He does not run fevers when he gets an ear infection so it is sometimes hard to convince the doctor's office that it is worth bringing him in. But they know us well enough, we do not bring our children in at each sign of a sniffle or cough. The more alarming condition was his coughing spasms each time he did any amount of exercise. He has been showing signs of asthma since September but we just brushed it off to cold weather or a cold and would slow him down till he sounded better. I finally decided that it was time when he would run around in the house and then cough so bad and look up at me with tears in his eyes as if to say, "Help."

I brought him in, had him push the doctor's wheely stool around to get him exuding some energy, then we tested his oxygen levels. He came in at 94 and showed signs of wheezing. They diagnosed him with asthma due to this being ongoing for some months now. They gave him a treatment in the office bringing his levels up to 98. He was not very tolerant of this machine bubbling and spitting in his face but he got better as he sat there.
Home treatment #1:
That night he also did not like the treatment to start. We had to remove the mask and just mist it in the area of his nose and mouth. He slept like an angel. He seemed so relieved to be able to breath. So sad to think that we take that necessity for granted.

Home treatment #2:


We figured out that if we used Kamden's favorite little Youtube friend to help, things might go smoother. And it did. We were able to get him to sit nicely and use the mask, which is recommended for the best results.

Home treatment #3
It was Sunday morning and Adam was staying home not feeling well with the boys. I was rushing around to get Skylar and I ready to go and knew Kamden needed a treatment. I knew Dustin wanted to be a part of helping Kamden, and Kamden had been doing so well accepting the treatments, so I gave Dustin the responsible job of sitting with him.
Look at how big Kamden is holding his mask himself. I'm so big, mommy.

I know that asthma is a common condition. But it seems so much more evident of what is going on when it is your 19 month old that is having a hard time breathing. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me the luxury of a medical plan that provides what my children need. It is a blessing that we have doctors at our disposal whenever we need and the medication to treat them. At this time we can clearly see that other countries do not have that same fortune.

I sat in church on Sunday and heared Pastor say that we need to think I get to rather than I have to. And I am not thankful that I get to give my son the treatment that he needs, not grumbling about how I have to give him a treatment. Thank You, Lord.