We went to the pulmonologist this week for a follow-up to Maria’s recent asthma diagnosis. Last time we saw a nurse practitioner, but this time I wanted to see the doctor because although all is well now, as we know, Maria is a complicated girl and her pediatrician thought we should be followed by a doc. I told him she’d been doing great, clear breathing, fighting the Flovent so we stopped giving it to her a couple weeks ago. We stopped the “emergency” Albuterol inhaler at least a month ago. We’re still giving her the nose spray. I don’t think she has asthma. She did great during her last swallow study. He didn’t say much. I can’t figure out if he thinks we have it completely under control and I covered everything, so nothing to add, or if he’s not very good. We saw him almost 2 yrs ago when Maria was in the hospital being diagnosed with seizures. He scoped her lungs to see if she was aspirating (and, of course, there was no sign, not even microscopic). We liked him then. I think I still like him, I was just puzzled by the lack of pontificating and dire predictions.
He’s fine with not giving her meds that don’t appear to be necessary and agreed we should start them again if she seems to need it. He was surprised she’s not fighting the nose spray (we stopped that now too, I haven’t noticed any negative consequences). Come back in Oct or Nov. The upper respiratory colds/infections she gets in the fall/winter are the cause of the rough breathing, nothing else seems to be a trigger–not even Kijana! So, another “wasted” appointment–we love those!!
Maria was tired all week at school. All the animal watchin’ and cousin lovin’ was exhausting. She takes after her Auntie Rose in her recovery time. Four out of six of Uncle Craig’s kids showed up with most or all of their kids. Uncle Dick and all three of his kids showed up with Maria. All six of Uncle George’s kids showed up with most or all of their kids. Neither of the other two uncles or any of their kids were able to make it. All together, there were almost 50 people!!
It was great to see everyone. It’s been since Grandma’s 90th birthday 11 years ago that many of us saw each other, and the prior reunion several years before that when the rest of us crossed paths. I’d never met most of the cousins’ kids–and one of them is 18 now!! Crazy! We all get along great, so it’s a shame we don’t get to visit more often. Most everyone just loved Maria and she immediately loved them. I got lots of cute cuddly snuggly photos of all the love. It was fun to see how much the kids look like their parents, whether it’s our generation or the generation below. We’re thinking about Myrtle Beach for the next one, hopefully in 2 or 3 years. Uncle Dick will be 80 in 3 years… We’d much rather get together for a birthday than a funeral, ya know?