I've just had one of the worst nights of my life.
Wait, let me back up. I had convinced myself that last winter was a fluke and Finn did not have asthma. I told myself that the next time he got sick, he'd be fine. He grew a lot this summer! His lungs are all better!
I got a cold on Wed, Piper got a cold on Thurs, Finn got a cold on Saturday. Last night, he went out to play and came inside wheezing. I could feel the panic bubbling under the surface. But anyone could wheeze after running around outside when they had a cold, right?
By bedtime, he was really struggling to breathe. We nebbed him and brought him into bed with us. I laid in bed and watched him take short, shallow, raspy breaths. Have you ever listened to someone struggle to breathe? Someone you would give your own life for? The neb helped, for a tiny bit, and we used it at least three times last night after he moaned about the pain.
After he was safely(?) asleep, I cried at the unfairness of it all. And how my hopes for a fairly easy winter were smashed. I cried because I felt so helpless. I cried because we are going to have to have him use Pulmicort every day and it's going to cost us $200 a month. I cried because it's not his fault and I don't want him to think he's not totally perfect. I cried because I was worrying. Worrying sucks so bad -- my shoulders are sore from it this morning. When I had cried it all out, I crawled back in bed and tried to give my baby all my healthy breaths by willing it.
Because I'm a happy-go-lucky worrier, I have tried to see the good in this. Now we know it's asthma and we can start trying to keep it under control. I can't blame myself, I didn't do anything wrong as a parent. It's not allergies, it's just bad fucking luck.


8 comments:
I'm sorry. I really know what this is like, except not with my child. This must be so hard for you. At least you know the cause, how to treat it and can be on the lookout next time he gets sick. hugs.
Oh my gosh, Kari. I am bawling right now just from reading your post. I can't even imagine what you must be going through. It's a good thing Finn has such a wonderful Mom and Dad. Medicine can do wonders and I know it's not fair, but try to be thankful that there IS something you can do to help him.
Keep your chin up. Lots of love from St. Cloud!!
Thanks guys.
Good news: I just went and picked up the Pulmicort and it was only $100!!! Yay! We do have some med coverage but I wasn't sure what it would cover.
Finn is breathing pretty fast today (but that could be a result of the albuterol) but seems to be in good spirits.
Is Pulmicort the same thing as Albuterol? Or is the Aluteral the medicine in the neb? And what is the difference?
It confuses me too!
Albuterol: Used in the neb when Finn is having problems breathing/asthma flare up.
Pulmicort: Used in the neb (daily for us now) to help prevent flare ups from occurring.
ugh, i'm so sorry this is happening. stinks big time. poor finn. don't blame yourself - from what i know (which is nothing really) having asthma is random if not hereditary.
it must be terrifying to watch your child try to breathe - i would be a wreck too.
hang in there. crying hard is just the worst too especially when it makes your body ache.
thinking about you. XOXOXO
Asthma mommies unite! LOVE YOU!
Oh wow Kari! how frightening & exhausting. I hope this soon becomes something manageable for both you & Finn. Hang in there.
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