ASTHMA

Erik's first 'official' bout with Asthma came a week
or two before his 2nd birthday on a Thursday night.
He  had really not seemed to be too bad at all but
he started coughing as the night progressed. Having
had a daughter on a nebulizer and inhalers for
'childhood asthma' (only brought on following a cold
or respiratory infection) it seemed familiar. I thought
if I take him up to the hospital and the doctor says
I can give him the inhaler or a mask- it would help
the coughing subside for him to sleep. Well!!! How
shocked and frightened was I when they admitted
him, had him on oxygen, nebulizer and Prednisone
and I seem to recall an antibiotic!  He was able to
come home Sunday with strict instructions and the
fact that I had a nebulizer at home and a follow-up
appointment was made.

There were a number of bouts after that one but
after a visit to the family doctor or which ever
doctor was on call (Why do they always seem to
get sick at night, on weekends or holidays!?!) but
luckily we were able to get it under control at home
and hospital visits weren't necessary.

THEN  Oct/Nov (?) 2000 came! Yikes! It just
happened to be a Sunday (of course) and his
breathing became really labored, the poor little
guy was really having a rough time so I made an
appointment  to the 'After Hours Clinic' and off we
went.  The doctor there was quite concerned and
made a call up to the hospital - there we were met
by a Paediatrician who has kept a watchful eye on
him since and I have my fingers crossed he will
remain his Paediatrician. (Our family doctor is
wonderful and I have all the confidence in him for
the rest of us, but with a child like Erik, I can't
begin to explain how relieved and at ease I am
since he is seeing a doctor who specializes in
children! The fact that he personally takes calls,
has an answering service and is a very familiar face
in the ER at the hospital is very comforting. His
quiet, gentle demeanor plays a big part too - so
far he's the only doctor Erik WANTS to see lol)

He was put on his inhalers and 'Prednisone'  and
nebulizer and we were given a new cream for his
eczema.  I was able to take him home and was
told that if he was to get any worse to call  and
the Paediatrician would meet us back up at the
hospital - either way I was to be in touch with hhim
Monday morning.  Luckily he had a 'good' night
and he was followed up that week.
It is believed that cold symptoms and allergic
reaction (he had been playing closely with the
new gerbils that day!) were a factor here.

Since then he has had to go on his inhalers about
3 times - of course it had been cold/flu season
so thankfully we have had an excellent winter
with him so we have been able to concentrate more
on his allergies - hence the next page! :o)