That's the sound I've been hearing for the past couple of days. Not from myself - from Anna Marie.
Now, I'm not a bad mother (at least I don't think I am) and I'm not opposed to medical care. It's just that in the last four years of her life, I still sometimes have a hard time figuring out when she needs to go to the doctor.
Her allergies have been bothering her, just like they did this time last year. Last week it was some sneezing and stuffy/runny nose. I gave her Claritin, and it was (getting) better.
This past weekend, things progressed to a cough. I still had the medicine left over from last year's trip to the minor medical clinic, and it says it's good until 8/7/2006, so I gave it to her. I can't tell whether it's helping, and she HATES taking it.
Sunday, she was at mom's to spend the night and we got concerned about her coughing (I didn't want her up all night, because that would keep mom up too) so I went to get her some Triaminic strips. She loves taking it, but I don't think it's helping.
She only goes to a babysitter twice a week, and today was the first day. Kim (the sitter) agrees that the medicine isn't doing any good, so tonight we're back on the "hard stuff."
I'm so confused as to what to do (besides pray) for her. She isn't running a fever. Other than being a little less energetic than usual, she isn't acting "sick" (and I don't know if that's just because of the cough medicine.) She has one more day the sitter's this week, and Kim said she doesn't think I need to keep her home.
So, what's a mother to do? If she had a temp, I'd keep her home or take her to the doctor. How do you know when it's post-nasal drip or something more serious?
I'm thankful that she hasn't been sick very often, but it's kind of left me a "non-expert" in these things.
Mothers and others out there - HELP!
2 comments:
Melissa, Melissa, I wanted to comment on the cough situation, post nasal drip causes coughs, like you said. Imagine drainage, from not taking an antihistimine, that collects in her throat. It may be appropiate for an atihistimine and expectorant. Stopping the drip, sending up the other, and at night, a suppressant. That is my understanding of coughs, they are a sign of the drip going on long enough(like allergy) to cause the lungs to use it's natural defense against pnumonia. Hows that for long winded? ya'll come thursday night to our house if you can, just us are going to be eating lasagne and cake for James Michael's b-day. Love Esther p.s. sorry for the mispelledand misplaced words lissa,
I'd love to come Thursday, but I have to work - the city school board meets. If Anna Marie is better (and if you don't think she'll be a threat to your kids) I'll get someone to bring her over. I hate that I have to work - I'd love to come! She's supposed to be ok for other people after 24 hours, so she should be safe.
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