AmandaSince before we left Boston, there were times when Zion would have a night time cough that would last from a day to a week. We always chalked it up to allergies or weather changes. Well, the past couple of weeks have his cough has progressively gotten worse, like way worse. We tried humidifiers, vicks on the feet with socks, and even cough medicine. All of these things were just a temporary fix. Then last week, Zion got a fever of 102. He fever subsided and he went on like normal. The next day we told him he could stay home from school, but he refused and wanted to go. Well, he was sent home, and we weren’t surprised. Luckily, he already had a doctors appointment set for the next day (which was actually originally for the night time cough). Well, the doctor checked his lungs and they didn’t sound good. His oxygen intake was only at 91% even after a nebulizer treatment. They waited some time and gave him another treatment. The hope was that would raise his levels so he wouldn’t have to be admitted to the hospital. The next treatment raised his O2 level to 94%, a little over the hospital cutoff. He was diagnosed with a sinus infection, but then was also diagnosed with Asthma.
Last week was one of the most exhausting weeks of my life. Zion was sent home with a nebulizer and prescriptions for inhalers, sinus infection meds, and meds for his lungs. The same night Zion woke up at 4am coughing so hard he threw up (this had happened 3x the week prior which is why we originally made the appointment). While he was coughing, I finally heard my son struggling to breath for the first time. As a mother this was pretty heart wrenching. I again fell into the blame game on myself. Did I wait to long to help him? I had never heard him wheezing before (he only coughed at night) so I don’t think I really understood the seriousness of what was happening. I truly at that moment, felt like a horrible mother. My husband kept trying to reassure me that everything was going to be ok, and he is still telling me that to this day. So yes, now I have a new worry. I guess people were right when they say you never stop worrying about your children. I know Zion is 4 and I should worry about him, but I have to be honest when I say my stress level has gone up another 150%.
Zion did breathing treatments several times a day and he is now almost finished with his medicines. We now only doing breathing treatments after he has coughing spells in which we use the inhaler first. He also takes his inhaler to school. We will be getting him 2 soon so he can keep one at school and one at home. At his follow up appointment the doctor said his lungs sounded so much better, but that the Asthma seems here to stay so we need to be careful with things that could cause flare ups (i.e. weather changes, etc). I have gotten a lot of advice from parents that have little ones this age that have gone through what I am going through, and I am so thankful. I know I say it all the time, but we are truly blessed and grateful for how supportive people are of our little Zion. I’m telling you this little boy is beyond amazing, and no matter the stress, I am such a lucky mom to have him as my son. Thank you so much for reading! We will see you soon!
