Monday, March 1, 2010

ERs, DRs, and RAD

Wow our kids go to the doctors' a lot. It's never anything major (knock on wood), but still between Ry's visits to the allergist, Sophie's visits to the orthopod, a few E.R. visits here and there, and all the routine checkups, we are no strangers to the health care system.

Saturday Ry had a normal cold. Towards the evening her breathing started to get a little fast and wheezy, but this is pretty typical for her when she's sick. We finally called the nurse line when she started grunting after each breath and were advised to call an ambulance. That seemed like a big waste of money for everyone so instead we drove the one mile to the nearest hospital.

Diagnosis -she has Bronchiolitis and something called Reactive Airway Disease (RAD). Meaning if she gets a virus it can trigger her airways to tighten making it difficult for her to get enough oxygen. This causes the wheezing, fast breathing, and her colds to last for weeks (What? That's not normal...good job mom of the year). They admitted us for two nights, gave her oxygen and a bunch of Nebulizers, and told us to see a respiratory specialist (that makes three specialists for the McMinn girls).

Times like these we are so grateful to have awesome friends. We lured the McDonoughs to our house Saturday evening with the promise of dinner and games, and instead left them with Sophie and a bunch of under cooked chicken. Please still be our friends.

12 comments:

maynardmoments said...

Poor Ry! Hope she gets better soon. I have never heard of RAD before. Crazy!

Claydens said...

oh crap. I'm sorry. I hope you are all recovering from this.We'll miss you tonight!

Heather said...

What a sweet thing Rylee is! She seems to be taking it all in stride. But what a bummer...and don't worry about the mom of the year thing...Ask me to tell you stories sometimes!

Kit said...

Dang! Poor thing!
Party below is darling!!!
Where did you get your cake stand and the stand holding those pink yummies??
Please do tell!!

Maja said...

Oh No! Poor kid, she seems to be very happy though. One of my kids had bronchiolitis once, but now I can't remember who is was,(sad) Taylor's colds always last 2-4 weeks. Does that mean I need to have her seen? See you didn't under reaact, kids and colds are very normal.
On a side note, when are you coming to see us?

cksoderquist said...

Poor little thing! Savannah has had a cold for a week now. I hate when our little ones are sick. She is lucky to have such wonderful parents. I hope she gets feeling better.

Pitcherpost said...

ok I'm in awe! I just saw your bday post for Rylee and everything you did for her party was so freaking cute! I saved the picture collage and hope that you don't mind it when I copy every detail for aubs 3rd bday party :)

James and Tricia Thomas said...

That picure of Ry breaks my heart!! I hope she is ok now!

Chelle and Aaron said...

We love you guys and your undercooked chicken.

Tish said...

She's so so so cute!! I love her funny faces.

The Eight Family said...

So so so sorry! We have been through the hospital thing and it is not fun! Glad she is doing better and I think you are an awesome mom!

Christen, Doug and Dillon said...

But she's still SO cute! I'm glad she's better though! How crazy!