And because she can chow down, she got her first taste of her daddy's steak tonight. See -
Wish I was more enthusiastic, but I'm mad! I cannot believe that I have no idea what happened to the big long huge post I had was two words away from posting.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Oh Steak!! Where Have You Been My Whole Life???
I have just been sitting here working on a post that took me about a good 30 minutes to write. And all with the stroke of one key, and I wish I knew which one, the darn thing disappeared. I don't even have the words to express the madness appropriatly. So here's the gest of it: Bay's got some massive teeth coming in. See -
And because she can chow down, she got her first taste of her daddy's steak tonight. See -
Wish I was more enthusiastic, but I'm mad! I cannot believe that I have no idea what happened to the big long huge post I had was two words away from posting.
And because she can chow down, she got her first taste of her daddy's steak tonight. See -
Wish I was more enthusiastic, but I'm mad! I cannot believe that I have no idea what happened to the big long huge post I had was two words away from posting.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
I Was Like A Kid In A Candy Store
Or toy store actually. So, Sid and I went with Ben and Kylie (his brother/my brother in law and sister in law) to do some Christmas shopping. First, just because I know he reads I would like to say that it is VERY sad that I've been here for almost 2 1/2 years and I never, ever would have guessed in a million years that my brother in law was a comedian on the side. I laughed at him the entire night. Kylie, I must say that you have your hands way more full than I ever knew. Anyway, we had a GREAT time and hopefully we will be able to take some more Christmas shopping trips together before the season ends. I also learned that my sister in law puts her tree up way before Thanksgiving....because it's up already.
Anyway, we went several places and had a great dinner. But when we went to Toys-R-Us, I think I had an out of body experience. Kylie and Ben wanted us to show them some things for Bailey's birthday and Christmas and we needed to do the same for Mason. I've shopped for Erin for the past five Christmas's and that's always been tons of fun. But I never knew it was so neat and stressful all at the same time to pick toys out for your soon to be one year old. We found several things that we knew would be great for Bailey and I promise you we walked around that store for at least an hour with me saying "I just really don't know, I don't know, I can't decide, Sid you decide...." I know Ben and Kylie were thinking for the love of all that is Holy would you pluuuueeesseeee make up your mind.
Then I didn't feel so bad when we left there and spent the next two hours or so going to not one but two Wal-Marts looking for a specific bike that they needed for Mason.
We didn't leave Philadelphia until later in the evening because of course Sid had a funeral and a long one at that simply because we made plans in advance. But that was ok, we still had a great time. But did ya'll know that there are Wal-Marts in the world that don't stay open 24 hours a day? I didn't. But I do now because we were in one in Meridian at MIDNIGHT when they started to close. Of course, our shopping trip may not have had us out til almost 1 a.m. if 1) We'd had a waiter at O'Charley's that was coherent and drug-free, 2)They hadn't messed Sid's food up at O'Charley's and we had to send it back, because bless his heart, he only eats meat, cheese and bread and for SOME reason, probably b/c it all sounded good to our non-drug free waitress at the time, his sandwich had onions, peppers, and mushrooms slathered all over it. (I'd have sent it back, too.) 3) We hadn't have taken a tour around Meridian to see old haunted houses that were, yeah, "in the hood" and finally 4) We hadn't have stopped off in the hood for some ice cream at the local hood DQ.
Of course the trip was almost cut short when NeNe, who had the kids, called Ben to tell him that Mason WAS NOT going to sleep with Pap-paw. See, Mason is 4 1/2 and I don't know how long he's been spending the night with NeNe and Jerry but ever since he has, he has always slept with NeNe. Then enters Bay to the picture and who is she going to sleep with? Everybody tried to tell him he'd have to sleep with Pap-paw so Mam-maw could sleep with Bailey and at first, he wasn't listening to it, but then he finally relented and all was to be well. UNTIL, it was time to go to bed and he had to actually get into the bed with Pap-paw. Let's just say that they both ended up still spending the night, Jerry has a "new" bed buddy that is NOT Mason, Mam-maw got no sleep because she felt compelled to get up and check on Jerry's bed buddy every hour and all is well in Mason's little life, bless his heart! I was proud of Ben and Kylie though because if they had called me and told me Bay wanted to come home, I'd have dropped everything, including all those toys labeled for one year old's and made a bee-line to get her.
We learned something else on that trip, too! Or I did anyway, I am too old to stay out and up that late. I just know I'm gonna crash tonight before Brothers and Sisters goes off and that's gonna make me so mad.
Anyway, we went several places and had a great dinner. But when we went to Toys-R-Us, I think I had an out of body experience. Kylie and Ben wanted us to show them some things for Bailey's birthday and Christmas and we needed to do the same for Mason. I've shopped for Erin for the past five Christmas's and that's always been tons of fun. But I never knew it was so neat and stressful all at the same time to pick toys out for your soon to be one year old. We found several things that we knew would be great for Bailey and I promise you we walked around that store for at least an hour with me saying "I just really don't know, I don't know, I can't decide, Sid you decide...." I know Ben and Kylie were thinking for the love of all that is Holy would you pluuuueeesseeee make up your mind.
Then I didn't feel so bad when we left there and spent the next two hours or so going to not one but two Wal-Marts looking for a specific bike that they needed for Mason.
We didn't leave Philadelphia until later in the evening because of course Sid had a funeral and a long one at that simply because we made plans in advance. But that was ok, we still had a great time. But did ya'll know that there are Wal-Marts in the world that don't stay open 24 hours a day? I didn't. But I do now because we were in one in Meridian at MIDNIGHT when they started to close. Of course, our shopping trip may not have had us out til almost 1 a.m. if 1) We'd had a waiter at O'Charley's that was coherent and drug-free, 2)They hadn't messed Sid's food up at O'Charley's and we had to send it back, because bless his heart, he only eats meat, cheese and bread and for SOME reason, probably b/c it all sounded good to our non-drug free waitress at the time, his sandwich had onions, peppers, and mushrooms slathered all over it. (I'd have sent it back, too.) 3) We hadn't have taken a tour around Meridian to see old haunted houses that were, yeah, "in the hood" and finally 4) We hadn't have stopped off in the hood for some ice cream at the local hood DQ.
Of course the trip was almost cut short when NeNe, who had the kids, called Ben to tell him that Mason WAS NOT going to sleep with Pap-paw. See, Mason is 4 1/2 and I don't know how long he's been spending the night with NeNe and Jerry but ever since he has, he has always slept with NeNe. Then enters Bay to the picture and who is she going to sleep with? Everybody tried to tell him he'd have to sleep with Pap-paw so Mam-maw could sleep with Bailey and at first, he wasn't listening to it, but then he finally relented and all was to be well. UNTIL, it was time to go to bed and he had to actually get into the bed with Pap-paw. Let's just say that they both ended up still spending the night, Jerry has a "new" bed buddy that is NOT Mason, Mam-maw got no sleep because she felt compelled to get up and check on Jerry's bed buddy every hour and all is well in Mason's little life, bless his heart! I was proud of Ben and Kylie though because if they had called me and told me Bay wanted to come home, I'd have dropped everything, including all those toys labeled for one year old's and made a bee-line to get her.
We learned something else on that trip, too! Or I did anyway, I am too old to stay out and up that late. I just know I'm gonna crash tonight before Brothers and Sisters goes off and that's gonna make me so mad.
Friday, November 13, 2009
A Comment
My friend Val left a comment on my last post about her son being in daycare when he was a baby and about how she is one of those mother's with big binders on not one but both of her children. I am forever amazed at Val AND her children everytime I read her blog. I know, or knew, both Val and her husband when we were in highschool but have seen neither of them in a long, long time. But anyway, Val's two children have Cochlear Implants, both for very different reasons the way I understand it. And it is amazing to me how much of an advocate she is for them and also how she teaches them to advocate for themselves. She's one of those that just inspires by her very words and in fact has written a book. Going through what she has as a parent has got to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting, but Val just keeps on pushing through and educating the entire state (and beyond it seems sometimes) about CI's and deaf education. You have to go check her and her darling blondies out here: http://www.deafkidscanhear.blogspot.com/ (I don't know how to link to another site!)
But I just wanted to say that what she had to say in her comment is why I thought about keeping a journal or notebook of all Bailey's medical stuff, too bad I just thought about it too late! She says that she can reference something really quick and I imagine it's a good thing to have to kindly remind all these docs and therapists of conversations held.
The thing is, I do a GREAT job of housing all this info somewhere in the back of my brain. So when a doctor, like the one yesterday, says "so what's going on with Bailey" and I say "well let's start at birth", the information just freely flows. So much so that yesterday I was asked to hold on so that the poor man could write. My info was flowing faster than his doctor scribbling could go. And once he was done getting her history from me, he was getting ready to take a look at Bay. But before he did, he took the time to tell me that treating an 11 month old is sometimes tricky because they can't tell us what the problem is or how they feel. He, as a doctor, has to rely on what I, as a mother, tell him in order to make the best diagnosis and treatment plan possible. This lead him to ask what line of work I was in and I correctly told him special education. He laughed a puffy "hummm" laugh and said, "oh, I thought you might have been a nurse. You are very knowledgeable and aware of Bailey's situation."
I may or may not have told him that's because I rush as fast as I can to the nearest internet connection after meeting with a specialist, or any doctor where something new is being discussed, and google everything I don't understand so that I can better understand it, and thus file it away for the next time I'm asked, "so, what's going on with Bailey."
And Val, thanks for the encouraging words about daycare. I am a huge advocate for daycare (if you are in a good one and trust the people you are leaving your child with) simply for the socialization factor. What I'm not a big fan of is parents who want take off from their job to keep a sick child home, but will take off for something like a shopping trip or vacation. They don't realize that one sick child in a daycare setting can equal lots of sick children eventually and lots of parents off of work. It's an inconvience to say the least. My mother has had to come stay for many days and my mother-in-law has had to take time off from her own job to help us out with Bay. But we get it done out of respect for those other babies and their families. I just wish everyone else would do the same. Ok, so that's my soapbox for the day.
I started reading Isaiah today. It's been pretty powerful so far. But when I get done, I'm going to get Beth Moore's book that is based on a few verses from a chapter in Isaish. I wanted to have the background for it first. Has anyone read it yet or done the study?
But I just wanted to say that what she had to say in her comment is why I thought about keeping a journal or notebook of all Bailey's medical stuff, too bad I just thought about it too late! She says that she can reference something really quick and I imagine it's a good thing to have to kindly remind all these docs and therapists of conversations held.
The thing is, I do a GREAT job of housing all this info somewhere in the back of my brain. So when a doctor, like the one yesterday, says "so what's going on with Bailey" and I say "well let's start at birth", the information just freely flows. So much so that yesterday I was asked to hold on so that the poor man could write. My info was flowing faster than his doctor scribbling could go. And once he was done getting her history from me, he was getting ready to take a look at Bay. But before he did, he took the time to tell me that treating an 11 month old is sometimes tricky because they can't tell us what the problem is or how they feel. He, as a doctor, has to rely on what I, as a mother, tell him in order to make the best diagnosis and treatment plan possible. This lead him to ask what line of work I was in and I correctly told him special education. He laughed a puffy "hummm" laugh and said, "oh, I thought you might have been a nurse. You are very knowledgeable and aware of Bailey's situation."
I may or may not have told him that's because I rush as fast as I can to the nearest internet connection after meeting with a specialist, or any doctor where something new is being discussed, and google everything I don't understand so that I can better understand it, and thus file it away for the next time I'm asked, "so, what's going on with Bailey."
And Val, thanks for the encouraging words about daycare. I am a huge advocate for daycare (if you are in a good one and trust the people you are leaving your child with) simply for the socialization factor. What I'm not a big fan of is parents who want take off from their job to keep a sick child home, but will take off for something like a shopping trip or vacation. They don't realize that one sick child in a daycare setting can equal lots of sick children eventually and lots of parents off of work. It's an inconvience to say the least. My mother has had to come stay for many days and my mother-in-law has had to take time off from her own job to help us out with Bay. But we get it done out of respect for those other babies and their families. I just wish everyone else would do the same. Ok, so that's my soapbox for the day.
I started reading Isaiah today. It's been pretty powerful so far. But when I get done, I'm going to get Beth Moore's book that is based on a few verses from a chapter in Isaish. I wanted to have the background for it first. Has anyone read it yet or done the study?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Pulminologist Report and Chick-Fil-A
You know, I've had children on my caseload before who were so medically and educationally challenged that their mother's had huge 3 ring binders that housed all of their medical and educational records. Sometime during the summer it crossed my mind that I should have probably done a better job at keeping up with exact dates of things and conversations with doctors just for the record. But I didn't and Bailey is no where near as medically challenged as those I refer to here. But anyway, we visited the third or fourth specialist, possibly the fifth one, since 12/22/08 today. And I loved him. His name is Dr. Haltman and he assured me without me even having to ask that he will take as good of care of my baby as he possibly can. We got a good report, basically just some bad asthma, and maybe some "healing" that is still taking place from the crycoid split in May, which I have my doubts about, but anyway.....We will stay on Pulmicort twice a day, Cingulair once a day, go back on the Prevacid because reflux can either trigger asthma or make it worse, (I got confused), and do Xopenex as needed. She sounded great and we go back in December to see how things are going. Oh, and of course he tried to make me feel as guilty as he possible could about how bad daycare is for babies with repiratory issues. Hmmm, oh well, life happens, and thus, so does daycare! He did follow up that sentence with something like "statistically babies who are in daycare have better immune systems in the long run because they have been busy building it up by catching everything that goes around." So yeah, that made me feel tons better.
We discussed RSV and RSV shots and he didn't seem to think that her getting the shots would help things in this matter. So, whatever on that, too!
Bailey and I went to Chick-Fil-A after the appointment and she had her very first happy meal. The little bugger ate all four chicken nuggets, about three waffle fries, and some ketchup. She got a hold of my cup when we were done and you should have seen those arms and feet a-going when some good ole cold Dr. Pepper finally made its way all the way up that straw and into her mouth. She's been trying for weeks now, but today she finally got it. It seems like overnight she has just grown up so much.
Ok, either my computer is ready for bed or blogger is acting a fool, so I'm done I guess. I've just got some things that are heavy on my heart right now and I'd appreciate some positive thoughts and maybe a prayer to the Big Guy on my behalf if you wouldn't mind. It's nothing I won't work through and of course, as always, I have the best husband a girl could ask for. So that always helps too!
Ok, I so didn't mean to end this on a sad/what the heck is going on kind of note, and I probably should delete the post and start over......
We discussed RSV and RSV shots and he didn't seem to think that her getting the shots would help things in this matter. So, whatever on that, too!
Bailey and I went to Chick-Fil-A after the appointment and she had her very first happy meal. The little bugger ate all four chicken nuggets, about three waffle fries, and some ketchup. She got a hold of my cup when we were done and you should have seen those arms and feet a-going when some good ole cold Dr. Pepper finally made its way all the way up that straw and into her mouth. She's been trying for weeks now, but today she finally got it. It seems like overnight she has just grown up so much.
Ok, either my computer is ready for bed or blogger is acting a fool, so I'm done I guess. I've just got some things that are heavy on my heart right now and I'd appreciate some positive thoughts and maybe a prayer to the Big Guy on my behalf if you wouldn't mind. It's nothing I won't work through and of course, as always, I have the best husband a girl could ask for. So that always helps too!
Ok, I so didn't mean to end this on a sad/what the heck is going on kind of note, and I probably should delete the post and start over......
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Can You Believe It?
The Holiday's are here, and guess what that means? We have an almost one year old on our hands. Oh, the stress of birthday parties and what to do, what to do, what to do is about to begin. We've been thinking on it for quite some time now and I was just almost sure we'd do the generic "hey look I'm 1" for the first party since she isn't old enough to tell us what she wants. But last night, Sid had a light bulb moment and reminded me that Bailey LOVES her some Mickey Mouse Club House. Not just plain ole Mickey Mouse, but Mickey Mouse Club House and Handy Manny. We vetoed Handy Manny right away because my little girl's first birthday party will not be themed around a maintenance man and his talking tools. But Mickey Mouse Club House was a great idea, except it's just not very girly. So I've been doing some searching and I know these pictures won't tell the whole story of what the party would be like, but check out these themes and let me know what you think.
So, there's Minnie from Mickey Mouse Club House. So we could throw some girly stuff off in there.
And here we have some spin off's of the "hey look I'm 1" theme. Not bad, but just generic. I was thinking if I did this then I'd have a big vase of fresh cut flowers as the center piece and maybe a 1 birthday cake decorated with flowers and such to match which ever one we chose. Oh, and there's that "hey I'm 1 AND a princess". I don't really like it though because I'm sure she will want a princess birthday party soon enough.
Here's a cupcake 1 theme. I sort of like that because I can use it as a cupcake themed birthday party and have her big cake be a big cupcake and her little cake that she gets to dig into be a smaller cupcake.
I just don't know. But I what I do know is this: She turns 1 on Dec. 22nd. I'm pretty sure we will do her party on a Saturday, most likely sometime before the 22nd. Rather we do it here or in Alabama, it's just a busy time for all. I say Alabama because I have friends in Alabama who I've helped to celebrate their children's birthdays before and I'd like to have some of them be able to come. Don't take this the wrong way because it isn't as sad as it sounds, but I just don't have many friends here. I also thought we might have it in Alabama for another good reason. None of Bailey's great grandparents here will be able to travel to Alabama just as none of her great grandparents in Alabama will be able to travel here for a party. While she is little, we could swap up the parties for a few years so all grandparents get to participate. When she gets a few years older and wants friends of her own to be invited, we'd for sure just have her parties here. I think it would be fair for the great grandparents in Alabama do some there. Also, since we'll most likely have her big party on a weekend, we'll have to do a little something on her actual birthday, which happens to be on a Tuesday this year. Great grandparents who couldn't travel to Alabama for her big, real party would most likely for sure get to see her on her real birthday whereas if we have everything here, there are people in Alabama who will be left out all together. And here's another thing, the chior's Christmas music is the first weekend in December. I had thought about having her big party that weekend because Mom and Dad are already coming for that since I'm singing. But I don't want to set the precedence of always having her big birthday party a few weeks before her actual birthday. When she gets older she won't like that.
So, in case you missed what I do know for sure, here it is again: Bailey's turning one and I'm stressing out about it. Which of the above do you like?
So, there's Minnie from Mickey Mouse Club House. So we could throw some girly stuff off in there.
And here we have some spin off's of the "hey look I'm 1" theme. Not bad, but just generic. I was thinking if I did this then I'd have a big vase of fresh cut flowers as the center piece and maybe a 1 birthday cake decorated with flowers and such to match which ever one we chose. Oh, and there's that "hey I'm 1 AND a princess". I don't really like it though because I'm sure she will want a princess birthday party soon enough.
Here's a cupcake 1 theme. I sort of like that because I can use it as a cupcake themed birthday party and have her big cake be a big cupcake and her little cake that she gets to dig into be a smaller cupcake.
I just don't know. But I what I do know is this: She turns 1 on Dec. 22nd. I'm pretty sure we will do her party on a Saturday, most likely sometime before the 22nd. Rather we do it here or in Alabama, it's just a busy time for all. I say Alabama because I have friends in Alabama who I've helped to celebrate their children's birthdays before and I'd like to have some of them be able to come. Don't take this the wrong way because it isn't as sad as it sounds, but I just don't have many friends here. I also thought we might have it in Alabama for another good reason. None of Bailey's great grandparents here will be able to travel to Alabama just as none of her great grandparents in Alabama will be able to travel here for a party. While she is little, we could swap up the parties for a few years so all grandparents get to participate. When she gets a few years older and wants friends of her own to be invited, we'd for sure just have her parties here. I think it would be fair for the great grandparents in Alabama do some there. Also, since we'll most likely have her big party on a weekend, we'll have to do a little something on her actual birthday, which happens to be on a Tuesday this year. Great grandparents who couldn't travel to Alabama for her big, real party would most likely for sure get to see her on her real birthday whereas if we have everything here, there are people in Alabama who will be left out all together. And here's another thing, the chior's Christmas music is the first weekend in December. I had thought about having her big party that weekend because Mom and Dad are already coming for that since I'm singing. But I don't want to set the precedence of always having her big birthday party a few weeks before her actual birthday. When she gets older she won't like that.
So, in case you missed what I do know for sure, here it is again: Bailey's turning one and I'm stressing out about it. Which of the above do you like?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Random Stuff But Thankful Still
This sweet girl is sick AGAIN!
In order to be eligible for the RSV shots that are supposed to either A) keep a baby with respiratory problems to begin with from getting RSV or B) keeping the RSV from being so bad if they do get it, you have to meet certain criteria. We were told by the discharge nurse from the NICU that Bailey probably wouldn't qualify because here are the qualifications:
Babies born prematurely at 35 weeks or less
Babies who weigh 5 pounds or less at birth
Babies born with heart disease
Babies with chronic lung disease
Babies who will be around things such as cigarette smoke.
In contrast to those qualifications, Bailey was born at 36 weeks, not 35, and weighed 6 pounds, not 5. She isn't around anyone who smokes, we were careful to keep her away from wood burning heaters during the winter and were told by the nurse at her pedi office that she probably wouldn't qualify either. So we didn't push the issue.
Why do you have to qualify? Because RSV season lasts something like 5 months and the baby has to get one shot a month for those 5 months and each shot costs like $2000. So if insurance denies your request, you are just out of luck and hope your baby who was born one week too late and one pound too heavy but with lung problems just won't get RSV.
By now you know that we weren't so lucky. Bailey got RSV. And it could be completely coincidental, but we have not recovered yet. She has this insecent cough ever since and it finally got bad enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. After some x-rays and a few breathing treatments I was given the choice one again of the hospital or some shots and go home, only to return first thing the next morning. I chose option B, we got some shots, headed home, and Friday morning went back to the doctor first thing. As a side note, when we got home from the doctor Thursday, Bailey got in her highchair, ate a good supper, cried to be picked up, threw up all over me and the floor and fell asleep. I didn't think things were looking to promising for us to stay out of the hospital over the weekend.
I usually don't get up in the middle of the night for any reason unless I just have to but I did get up and make sure she had those breathing treatments like they told me to do them. Thankfully, on Friday morning, the doctor felt she was doing much better....BUT....said something has to give....the coughing and wheezing just isn't good and she is defiantly having lung/breathing problems.
So next Thursday we start yet another journey with yet another specialist in hopes of getting a handle on the situation. We will see the pediatric pulminologist out of Jackson. Until then, we are doing breathing treatments every 4 hours and Bailey is ill as a hornet.
And I intend to write the company that puts out the RSV shots and the insurance company. I know it's too late this year. But we can not have another RSV season like this one. I know she didn't meet the immediate qualifications, but surely with all these documented problems, and a possible diagnosis of either asthma or lung disease, as I did hear that mentioned from the doctor on Friday, surely there are other circumstances that can be looked at. Mom inquired about paying out of pocket for the shots, like she has $10,000 for some RSV shots, and was told that insurance won't even let you pay out of pocket.
Whatever the case, I intend to beseech the insurance company on my daughter's behalf so that maybe we don't go through this again. Just pray for us and with us that we get to the bottom of what is going on. I'm not sure how long her little body can tolerate all these meds being inhaled into her heart and lungs every 4 hours.
And just think of these pictures you've just seen. Such a picture perfect baby. And she is, she is the sweetest, most innocent, biggest reason to rise in the morning that my life has ever experienced. She is the epitomy of God's unending love for us. Not only to give His son for our sins, but to give us our own children to love and watch grow on a daily basis. I pray for her daily those sweet hands will grow to learn how to use to them to serve God and others.
But until she can use those hands herself to serve, I intend to keep them as happy and healthily as I possible can. So, to the maker's of Synagis, aka the RSV shots, get ready for a few pictures of this sweet girl along with a very nice letter from the sweet girl's mama. I have to have answers. Hopefully, Thursday we will get some. Until then, please be safe with your children. Wash their hands, don't let them put stuff in their mouths if you don't know where it's been. Shopping carts and restaurant highchairs are the worst. And most of all, if you have a sick child, especially one with RSV, please please please keep them at home. RSV is nothing more than a cold to healthy children. But to kids like Bailey, it can be deadly. RSV season is in full swing and we got it rather early. Just be safe and careful this Fall and Winter season.
And I hope you enjoyed the pictures of our sweet princess. We had them taken by a sweet friend and have many many more to share.
In order to be eligible for the RSV shots that are supposed to either A) keep a baby with respiratory problems to begin with from getting RSV or B) keeping the RSV from being so bad if they do get it, you have to meet certain criteria. We were told by the discharge nurse from the NICU that Bailey probably wouldn't qualify because here are the qualifications:
Babies born prematurely at 35 weeks or less
Babies who weigh 5 pounds or less at birth
Babies born with heart disease
Babies with chronic lung disease
Babies who will be around things such as cigarette smoke.
In contrast to those qualifications, Bailey was born at 36 weeks, not 35, and weighed 6 pounds, not 5. She isn't around anyone who smokes, we were careful to keep her away from wood burning heaters during the winter and were told by the nurse at her pedi office that she probably wouldn't qualify either. So we didn't push the issue.
Why do you have to qualify? Because RSV season lasts something like 5 months and the baby has to get one shot a month for those 5 months and each shot costs like $2000. So if insurance denies your request, you are just out of luck and hope your baby who was born one week too late and one pound too heavy but with lung problems just won't get RSV.
By now you know that we weren't so lucky. Bailey got RSV. And it could be completely coincidental, but we have not recovered yet. She has this insecent cough ever since and it finally got bad enough to warrant a trip to the doctor. After some x-rays and a few breathing treatments I was given the choice one again of the hospital or some shots and go home, only to return first thing the next morning. I chose option B, we got some shots, headed home, and Friday morning went back to the doctor first thing. As a side note, when we got home from the doctor Thursday, Bailey got in her highchair, ate a good supper, cried to be picked up, threw up all over me and the floor and fell asleep. I didn't think things were looking to promising for us to stay out of the hospital over the weekend.
I usually don't get up in the middle of the night for any reason unless I just have to but I did get up and make sure she had those breathing treatments like they told me to do them. Thankfully, on Friday morning, the doctor felt she was doing much better....BUT....said something has to give....the coughing and wheezing just isn't good and she is defiantly having lung/breathing problems.
So next Thursday we start yet another journey with yet another specialist in hopes of getting a handle on the situation. We will see the pediatric pulminologist out of Jackson. Until then, we are doing breathing treatments every 4 hours and Bailey is ill as a hornet.
And I intend to write the company that puts out the RSV shots and the insurance company. I know it's too late this year. But we can not have another RSV season like this one. I know she didn't meet the immediate qualifications, but surely with all these documented problems, and a possible diagnosis of either asthma or lung disease, as I did hear that mentioned from the doctor on Friday, surely there are other circumstances that can be looked at. Mom inquired about paying out of pocket for the shots, like she has $10,000 for some RSV shots, and was told that insurance won't even let you pay out of pocket.
Whatever the case, I intend to beseech the insurance company on my daughter's behalf so that maybe we don't go through this again. Just pray for us and with us that we get to the bottom of what is going on. I'm not sure how long her little body can tolerate all these meds being inhaled into her heart and lungs every 4 hours.
And just think of these pictures you've just seen. Such a picture perfect baby. And she is, she is the sweetest, most innocent, biggest reason to rise in the morning that my life has ever experienced. She is the epitomy of God's unending love for us. Not only to give His son for our sins, but to give us our own children to love and watch grow on a daily basis. I pray for her daily those sweet hands will grow to learn how to use to them to serve God and others.
But until she can use those hands herself to serve, I intend to keep them as happy and healthily as I possible can. So, to the maker's of Synagis, aka the RSV shots, get ready for a few pictures of this sweet girl along with a very nice letter from the sweet girl's mama. I have to have answers. Hopefully, Thursday we will get some. Until then, please be safe with your children. Wash their hands, don't let them put stuff in their mouths if you don't know where it's been. Shopping carts and restaurant highchairs are the worst. And most of all, if you have a sick child, especially one with RSV, please please please keep them at home. RSV is nothing more than a cold to healthy children. But to kids like Bailey, it can be deadly. RSV season is in full swing and we got it rather early. Just be safe and careful this Fall and Winter season.
And I hope you enjoyed the pictures of our sweet princess. We had them taken by a sweet friend and have many many more to share.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Little Angel
I still have tons to post about the weekend that we had Bay Christened. But before the times get too far gone, I just had to share this picture. It is my VERY favorite of the ones that I took of Bay. But before I share it I have to tell the story behind this picture. I did not plan very well the morning of the service, because if so I would have gotten to the church way earlier than I did so that I could take pictures of us with Pappaw and some of Bay at church. But I did not. We got there at 10:30 and still had to dress her once we arrived. And Mom was a little later getting there so I had to dress her myself in that big long dress. I was just a teeny bit stressed. Well, then we got up to the front to take a family picture and one with Pappaw, but I think Pappaw got a teeny bit stressed because the choir was coming in and we were still up taking pictures. He wanted us to sit down and appropriately told us so. But right before we were going to sit down, Mom said to put her on the cushions on the alter. So I did but when I backed up to take my picture, there were several others right there trying to get pictures too. Namely, the grandmothers. So in a not so nice tone I informed them that if they would please back up I might could get some pictures of MY baby. And then I snapped this picture. So I sort of feel like her facial expression was a reaction to my commotion. But I got the picture I wanted to I guess mission accomplished. Since we are on the subject, sorry Mimi and Mammaw. I just wanted a picture of her on the alter before Pappaw really made us sit down. I think in the end we all ended up with pictures that we are happy with. I hope so anyway.
I mean, could things get any sweeter than this?????
I mean, could things get any sweeter than this?????
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