Po' Boys

Both Jeremy and Stephen have had a tough few weeks, fighting the usual fall/winter sickness that's going around.

Almost three weeks ago I took Jeremy to the doctor because he just wasn't his normal self. He had recently cut his first two teeth, and had a runny nose as usual. But the runny nose faucet kept going for over two weeks, and Jeremy looked like he was starting to wilt. The doctor said he had an ear infection, which is normal when a baby cuts his first teeth, and they put him on some antibiotics.

Meanwhile, Stephen was starting to develop a deep cough in his chest. We didn't think much of it for several days, waiting to see if it would die out. It didn't, and after a week Stephen had a deep, barking cough, no appetite, and a fever. So it was his turn to see the doctor. Stephen had also developed an ear infection and had lots of chest congestion. He was also put on antibiotics as well as an inhaler to fix the cough.

The day I took Stephen into the doctor, I also had them check Jeremy's ears to make sure they were clear (which they were.) His meds were done within a day or two of that visit. But, practically the moment Jeremy finished his meds, his nose started to run again. After a few more days he was looking droopy again, and coughing like Stephen.

I took Jeremy back to the doctor this morning, and they listened long and hard to his chest. Apparently he is congested enough to warrant the use of a nebulizer! I asked if I should just use Stephen's inhaler with the spacer tube and mask we use, and he said no, a nebulizer is what he really needs. They gave Jeremy his first neb treatment in the office, then brought me my own nebulizer kit to take home and keep (the pump looks like a big panda bear!)

After another visit to the pharmacy, I now have both boys on their own antibiotics and their own breathing treatments. Jeremy has another follow up visit Weds morning to make sure the nebulizer is clearing his chest up.

Whew! I sure hope my poor little boys get better soon. I'm glad they haven't gotten the rest of us sick!