The good and bad of having a "sick" kid during a time like this.....

My 3 year old has been in and out of hospitals since he was born with assorted issues. He has had a feeding tube, still has a tracheotomy, has some minor lung issues but aside from that has a pretty kick ass immune system and is by all accounts a "normal" kid. Still, even with the regular flu we have to be careful each year.

That being said there's at least a small, minor degree of comfort in having a house full of medical equipment (stethoscopes, Oxygen/Heart Monitors, Blood Pressure Monitors), oxygen tanks, respiratory medication/treatments, and knowing what numbers/vital signs/sounds are normal and already being used to being able to early detect any illness. And we have the home numbers and "hot lines" of any number of doctors/specialists/etc.

None of this would make catching this bug any easier or safer but at least gives us some already in-house ways of advanced warning of when things are coming on and/or turning bad.

Also we're fairly used to sequestering ourselves, keeping lots of food/milk/hi nutrient liquid formula in the house, and are already dilligent about handwashing/public places/etc. so we just have to extend our season a bit.

Still sucks, but hey I'll take whatever small comforts I can eke out.

in your situation.

It must be hard for all of you.

...to having spent so much time in children's hospitals is we realize that the people that do in fact have it worse than us, have it MUUUUUUUUUUCH worse than us. Both in terms of what they have to deal with in terms of their children but also the resources (insurance, family, money saved) they have to help them deal with it.

Not always easy to see that during the hard days, but with every couple of month trips to the hospital it's like a regularly scheduled smack to the back of the head when we get too far into pity party mode.

and is in at out of Dell Children's Hospital all the time.

That strain would just about do me in.

I can't imagine...thank goodness...and won't even try. Please know how much parents like yourself -- people like you -- as well as your beautiful, strong, wise children are admired and respected.

You're an inspiration. :)

I send sincere hugs of admiration your way....:hug: :grouphug:

:hug:

Take care, vi5... I totally understand.

You guys have your own little triage unit, hehe.

We are a family of asthmatics so stay well-stocked with several nebulizers, enough asthma meds for all 5 of us, stethoscope, epi-pens, steroids and standing antibiotic prescriptions. The pediatrician is but five minutes away and I have her cell #. We know better than to go anywhere near the office waiting room or the ER when flu and pneumonia is going around (at least 2-3 of us get it once a year). Knowledge is definitely power!