ASTHMA

This weekend Edie had to go to the emergency room for an ASTHMA attack triggered by a bad cold. It is a heart wrenching experience to see your child suffering and afraid in any circumstance but especially when they have no control over the outcome.

Edie was quite the trooper. The doctors and nurses at the hospital asked about her Halloween costume and thought the world of our little girl but we couldn't help but feel sad at the vulnerability of our angel. She is getting better now and we expect her back to her old self soon!

Jessie and her sisters grew up knowing first hand the problems associated with ASTHMA
Her parents would drive them around with the windows down to give them fresh air on the way to the hospital and through multiple treatments and doctor visits, were able to hold back the symptoms. I once visited Jessie in the hospital during one such an attack and never thought I would have to see our children in the same situation.

Medical advances and intermittent treatments help but there is no cure.

Environmental conditions, allergies, diet, second hand smoke and other factors spur on ASTHMA attacks but we are almost powerless once they begin. To see a typically bouncy, happy 4 year old given steroids in the first place is hard to deal with. Before they kick in, the happiness fades away into a helpless frantic need for breath then the bouncing increases for a while until things slowly return to normal. Normal in our eyes anyway. Not having dealt with the effects personally, I can only imagine how Edie feels after such an attack and how she must always be aware it could come back.

We have not seen any such symptoms in Lily, thank goodness, but we can't help but to be worried for the possibility.

I don't know if I can do any good or help anyone by writing this but I have never felt so powerless in all my life and this seems to be better than nothing. We always seem to have a felling of invincibility when we are children and once we get older, we realize we just got lucky a lot. Kids with ASTHMA are not lucky but if we can help them feel at ease and relaxed when an attack happens, maybe they won't be as frightened and maybe they will feel invincible for another day like we did when we were their age. (Never let them see you sweat)


If you smoke, stop. If you can't, don't do it around kids, EVER! If you know anyone with ASTHMA, don't have them sand the drywall on your addition or sweep out the crawlspace or attic. And if you ever are around anyone during an ASTHMA attack, help them to relax, get them something to drink and find their medication, and never let them see you sweat.

Class Picnic

Hey everyone! Well, fall is in the air and Edie's class just had their fall picnic at Lake Louise Park right down the street. While everyone spent their time catching up and meeting new people, I took the opportunity to introduce myself to the Ducks. I love ducks!. I like the way they walk and swim and laugh out loud whenever they quack.

Edie had a fun time with all her friends from school. Mommy and Edie made Sweet Potato Salad and Apple Crisp which was a real hit. Daddy had 3 plates of food and ran into some people he knows and everyone enjoyed the weather.

There goes Edie and her friends. Off for another round at the playground!Here is a video of Circle Time. Every day at school Edie's class gathers around this way in the morning. Edie is across the circle 3rd on the right from her teacher. She's wearing brown pants.