Where have I been? An update...

Hello Blogging World!

Things have been nothing but CrAzY around here, as usual. I guess that is our normal now.

Last time I posted about The Princess she had a day of an IVIG treatment prior to her bronchoscopy.

And I realized today when my dear friend, Chasiti, posted on my FB wall that she wanted an update on The Princess, that I hadn't updated anyone about anything. I have been in a funk of sorts with everything going on.

Well, here is the update...

• We had her bronchoscopy on 9/15. She had her platelets checked that morning and they were above 100,000 and she was cleared for surgery. The bronchoscopy was done and over within minutes. The pulmonologist said she had the most beautiful airways you could imagine. We discussed the swallowing disorder and she, along with the other pulm. docs, are investigating the diagnoses of dysphagia. She said that more and more kids are being diagnosed with it from their radiology department that they are wondering if they are over-diagnosing. We discussed transitioning The Princess to regular liquids over time. I took it upon myself once we were home to try The Princess with plain water. She has been doing GREAT since. She originially was coughing a lot when drinking. Now I am wondering if her asthma was out of control back then and that is what caused the coughing and not her swallowing at all. Anyway, for now, I am doing plain water mostly and she is in Heaven.

• We have been back to the dermatologist and the rash on her face was not clearing up. She started her on 2 months of Zythromax, to be taken 3x per week. Her face is clear now and I am hoping it stays that way.

• The Princess was diagnosed with a Sinus infection back in August.  After 2 rounds of antibiotics I took her back to the pedi, along with The Superhero. They were both very sinusy (is that a word?) and had goopy eyes, etc. We decided they both had sinus infections and they were both put on one month of antibiotics. The Princess can only have Zythromax, so we upped the dose this time. 

• We followed up with the ENT for The Princess last week due to her ear tubes. It has been a year since they were put in.The left one fell out a while ago and was stuck in the wax. The ENT was able to get it out. The right one is still in place for now. We also discussed The Princess' sinus infection. I am concerned that we are putting her on antibiotics for such a long period, and there is only ONE she can even have right now. I am very worried about the possibility of her developing antibiotic resistance. I have even contemplated pulling both of my kids out of school and keeping them in a bubble at our house. We stayed in most of last winter due to illnesses and it seemed to help. But, that is not as realistic this year. I am busy with work and can't have both kids home with me all the time. Anyway, back to the ENT. He said to keep her going on the antibiotics we were doing for now and to follow up with him in a month. He mentioned the possibility of surgery for her sinuses. We have an appointment on the 31st of October.

• In the meantime, I looked up other ENT's. Not because I don't like ours, I do, but he does not do any sort of surgeries at the children's hospital. And after her ear tubes were put in at a surgery center, and they kick you out the door as if she was an adult, I decided I wanted to keep any surgeries that are required at the children's hospital if we can help it. So, I found a ped ENT who does surgeries at PCH, and he has an office about 3 miles from my house as well. PERFECT. I called yesterday and they were able to get us in TODAY. He looked at her CAT scan from the end of August and agreed she had a sinus infection. He said he would not do surgery for that alone. BUT her left ear, the one with no tube currently, was filled with fluid. He said a second set of tubes was probably not out of the question. And if we put new tubes in, we will take out her adenoids and clean out her sinuses while we are in there. We go back in 2 weeks on the 26th to see how her ear looks and make a decision.

So, that is where we are at right now. I am thinking surgery for the ears/adenoids/sinuses will be happening. And that means a platelet check and possible IVIG beforehand to make sure she doesn't bleed all over. Fun times in our house!

I feel like the "If you give a mouse a cookie..." series right now. :-) (Those of you with small children HAVE to know what this book is)

At least she is still pretty happy and growing up WAY too fast...

*Disclaimer: I am a mom of a T1 Diabetic child and a child with ITP/Asthma/Dysphagia. I am NOT a doctor. I just play one in real life. Please do not take anything in this post or any other post on this blog as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns of your own, please seek advice from your doctor.*