Oh, January. People want to hate on February but January, this year, you were up to no good. The last two weeks of January 2011 were a wash and if I did not want to capture the events for Barrett and Grin’s “blogbooks” then I would complete scour them from my memory. And, now that I am finally getting all my thoughts together, I may see why people hate on February {although 4 out of 5 of the fabulous Eickman family were welcomed into the earth during this short, fickle month}.
Let’s start at the very begininng. It’s a very good place to start. I’ve done a fairly consistent job of venting, bitching and moaning about Barrett’s chronic coughing this winter but I don’t know if I’ve appropriately chronicled the volume with which ear infections have vexed our household. After yet another ear infection around Christmas, we were scheduled with an ENT for an ear, adenoid and tonsil consultation on January 21st. What has transpired since that day can only be summed up by one word: sucky.
Here’s a little timeline for you {because otherwise, this would be even longer}:
January 21st – Barrett sees ENT. We are told that the typanogram revealed that Barrett is likely not hearing anything but Peanuts speech and that due to his chronic cough and fluid in his ears, he will need his adenoids removed and tubes put in his ears. Fairly standard and we expected as much. Surgery scheduled for March 15th.
January 24th – Barrett spikes a fever. After a trip to the good doctor, we discover Barrett has another raging ear infection. I’ve lost count, otherwise I would call them by number. Let’s just say, I asked for a punchcard at the Peds office the other day. I’m hoping they’ll consider.
January 25th – Barrett wakes up in the morning with a pool of blood in his crib. Back to the doctor to check for ruptured ear drum. No evidence of any such business. Totally random and unexplained. {Of note: Could have been a cut in his mouth. No crying in night. Momma and Daddy Brehm are prompted to order new video monitor after months without.}
January 26th – Momma Brehm takes off work early and heads to the doctor after weeks of Grin giving her sinuses no break. Momma Brehm discovers that she has an ear infection, bronchitis and a sinus infection and stays home for a few days. {Of note: Bactrim and Hydrocodone prescribed. Still makes no sense. No OTC meds when pg but can take Hydrocodone. Wacky.}
January 27th-30th – Momma and Grinny start to spinny. Random moments in which she falls over sideways. She discovers the second trimester has struck again. Low blood pressure {110/58 — down from 140/95} and a call to the doctor. Blood pressure medicine reduced.
February 2nd – Momma Brehm wakes up to find hives from her neck down to her mid-section. As the day progresses, they move down to her feet. So broken out in fact that she determines she could make many bees very happy with the copious amount of hives collecting on her body. A call to the doctor results in waiting it out until a Friday ultrasound appointment.
February 4th – Ultrasound day for Momma Brehm. Hives inspected. Bactrim {sulfa-based antibiotic} dropped. {Of note: Grin is growing like a weed. Momma Brehm has gained 3 pounds.}
February 6th – Barrett’s Second Birthday!!
February 7th – Barrett wakes up with barf in his crib. With no fever and a fairly happy B, Momma and Daddy Brehm presume it’s from excessive ice cream intake on B’s bday.
Later in the day February 7th – Barrett’s 2 year appt. We discover Barrett has lost a little weight. Blood tests ordered to check into everything. While blood is being drawn, we discover what appears to be a bump with a tooth in the middle of Barrett’s mouth. To the dentist we go. Dentist can’t tell what it is. Follow-up with Pediatric Dentist scheduled. {Of note: Barrett tipped the scale at 21 pounds. For all you watching at home, that’s the 0%…a place we’re mighty comfortable in apparently.}
Even later in the day February 7th – A rash of stomach flu befalls many party-goers. In total, 10 people who were at B’s bash are taken down by a nasty stomach virus throughout the week. Even Daddy Brehm stays home with the flu. {Of note: Momma Brehm prevails and sits this one out.}
February 11th – Call from Dr. D to let us know that while B’s thyroid tests came back normal, one of his growth hormone tests did not. Set up appointment to see endocrinologist to get to the bottom of this inefficiency. While on said phone call, share with Dr. D that we think B has been hit with another ear infection. As his ears were full o’ fluid on February 7th, she calls in Omnicef. {Of note: if you are ever thinking of being a doctor, go endocrinology. Three months to get in. Yep. Really.}
February 14th – Call from Daycare. B has feve. High, hot fever. We head to the doc. B is tested for influenza and RSV. The second comes back positive. B gets high-volume antibiotic shot to prevent pneumonia. B cries. Momma Brehm cries. {Of note: If you’re thinking of starting a business, start a daycare. People are going to be paying you often during cold and flu season for having no contact with their children. It’s a surefire way to make some serious dough.}
February 15th – B stays home for first of many days of the week to quarantine the RSV patient. Thank goodness for grandmas. Momma Brehm has an event in less than two weeks. {Of note: Barrett had $6000 Synagis shots throughout his first winter on earth to prevent RSV. Considering that a win.}
February 16th – B will head back in to Dr. D for follow-up.
So. That’s been January and February 2011. Not a great start, I have to say. Granted, all of these things are fixable and if this didn’t all bite such a big one, it would be comical. I’ve been doing a lot of channeling my inner Cee-Lo Green and I’m like, forget you, January and unless February takes a better turn, you too.
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