More Doctor Visits

Hayden had an appointment with an ENT today after the pediatrician suggested that we see him.

He has been coughing for a couple of weeks now, he has another ear infection and his nose is running like Niagra Falls. We discussed having his adenoids removed, but the ENT doesn't want to do at this age because they typically grow back. Weird.

So, H is taking yet another round of antibiotics, we're cleaning his ears with peroxide (per ENT's orders) and using antibiotic ear drops. He wants to do a culture of the drainage from his ears after he has completed the oral antibiotics and see if it is bacteria that is causing the ear infections or if they are in fact viral. If it is bacterial, the culture should help determine what antibiotics will work best. Otherwise, the ENT suggests we treat the infections by cleaning his ears with peroxide and using the drops to avoid unnecessary oral antibiotics that aren't going to help anyway.

We could seriously open up a CVS in our house.

He was also concerned about stomach issues and antibiotic resistance due to the frequency in which H has to take them. I share this concern and have questioned it for a while. H is most likely resistant to penicillin. Lovely. While antibiotics kill the bad bacteria, they also harm the good bacteria and gut flora. The formula H was on had probiotics and he eats yogurt to hopefully help with this.

I know all too many people are familiar with this vicious cycle of recurring ear infections and antibiotics. It is not a a fun cycle and I am looking into alternative treatment which I will share more about later. I have had to miss numerous hours/days at work and I am just glad that my boss has three kids and has been understanding...so far. I'm constantly worried about fulfilling my duty as a mom and my duty as a marketing manager at work. By the way, being able to watch him on video everyday from my computer at work has been such a blessing. Makes my heart smile.

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Hayden has his "Spring Party" at school tomorrow. I will call it his Easter party because that is what we're celebrating and I don't really feel like being politically correct in this matter. My Jesus died and rose again. End of story.

Hayden signed me up to bring cookies. Doesn't he know I don't bake? I know I am totally going to lose mom points for buying those yummy, soft, ready made iced cookies, but we are talking about 12 - 18 month olds here. I think they will forgive me.

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His FIRST birthday party is going to be rockin' though! His actual birthday is not until the 17th, but we are having the party on Saturday for various reasons. I will have to post pictures of the cutest little monkey birthday party you've ever seen! I am hoping and praying that a) it doesn't rain on Saturday from 2-4 and b) that he feels better by Saturday for his party. The thought of him being sick for his first birthday makes me sad. :(

I'm feeling one of those bittersweet moments coming on again. One year old. God is good.