Taking a 2-year old to Church
I’m a Chreaster. I admit it. I rarely attend church unless it is either Christmas Eve or Easter. We’ve got the dual church thing going on in our house, with Mr. BBM being one denomination and me another which makes things even more difficult. It’s not that we don’t want to go to church. It’s just that we have a 2-year old, the same 2-year old who used to be a 1-year old and before that a baby. Did I mention that Lil C is rather loud?
Big I has always been an angel at church. She sits quietly, listens to what’s going on and gives us not a problem. Then there’s Lil C.
On Sunday, we attended a packed church service (arriving 10 minutes late because it’s even fashionable to arrive to church late. . . because I said so). Lil C started jabbering away right away. She brought with her a small Minney Mouse stuffed toy and spent much of the church service trying to attract attention to her new toy and herself. Thankfully the people in the pew in front of us thought she was adorable. When they asked her what her name was during the offering, the little comedienne proudly announced that her name is "Minney Mouse" and then collapsed in a fit of giggles. Of course all the attention only encouraged her.
During hymns, she loudly sang along. Of course her words were, "Go Pop a Weasel; Go Pop a Weasel" since that’s her song and created lyrics of choice lately. She may have thrown in an Old MacDonald or two as well.
But it was shortly before communion finished up that she made her biggest "impact." After the entire church had gone up for communion, our Pastor asked if there was anyone else who would like to come forward for communion. There is always a brief and very silent pause as the organist/pianist leaves her station and heads to the front for communion. Lil C decided she’d give the Pastor a very loud answer for everyone in the form of a boisterous and elongated, "NOOOOOOOOOO!" followed by an equally loud "I don’t VANT to go a church."
It echoed through the tall ceilings of the church and bounced off the front wall and back to us. Mr. BBM, Big I and I were all briefly shocked silent before the bubbling of laughter threatened to turn into a full eruption. We watched as the shoulders of the people in the row in front of us started shaking, almost violently. We tried to shush Lil C but she erupted into a loud conversation about Minney Mouse and the Easter Bunny. There was just no keeping her quiet. Even as Mr. BBM carried her down the stairs to the social hall, her banter was quite audible.
There is definitely a good reason why we’re Chreasters as this point in our lives. I think that after Sunday, pretty much everyone understands.
The Turn Around
When I arrived at PT today, I put my leg down flat on the table and it actually went flat for the first time in. . . well, months I guess. My PT came out with the heating pads and looked shocked before a huge grin spread across his face. That earned me one of our Wonder Twins fist hand-shakes and I knew it was going to be a good day.
After the heat, stims and exercises, my PT measured my flexion. I’ve been fluctuating between 145-148, and have been frustrated to not break into the 150’s. 155 is the goal. I worked it today and pushed myself through the pain, to hold that position longer each time and to pull that foot closer and closer to my butt. When my PT measured, he asked where we had been last week. "145," I mumbled. Usually, when he asks me, it’s because I’ve gone backwards.
"Well, you just hit 150," he said. Not believing his own eyes, he looked again. "That’s 150. It’s a good day," he said. A good day indeed.
I wanted to leap off that table I was so happy. My PT also added some new exercises today. With a harness attached to a weight machine, I took five steps away from the machine and then balanced on my bad leg. I did this facing the machine and facing backwards and had no problem at all. I’m also now standing on a piece of balancing foam for my trampoline/weighted ball exercises. This is one karate-ka who won’t be having balance issues.
Tonight, we got a call requesting a house showing tomorrow afternoon. After a two-week drought of showings, we are back in action. Things are turning around, each and every one of them, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
We are off to the beach for a few days to celebrate Big I’s GASP 7th birthday. Have a great Easter holiday!
Don’t forget to check back on Monday for another Admired Martial Artist post that is going to blow your socks off. Also, head over to The BBM Review to leave a comment on any post in March and enter for your chance to win a Turtle Press book or DVD. Six prizes will be given away!
Oh, and speaking of turn-arounds, if you’re interested in turning your life upside down or at least publishing it for all to see but don’t know where to start???? Head on over and sign up for the next round of the Black Belt Blogger course. Our first group of grads is just fabulous. You can be too!
Diagnosis Happy
Doctors who are diagnosis happy should not communicate with parents who are google happy. It makes for a very unpleasant relationship and two very stressed out parents.
On Monday, our daughter’s doctor diagnosed her with ITP, despite the fact that her rash was clearing up, despite the fact that her platelet levels were on the rise. She insisted that Big I be treated like a pin cushion once again. Yesterday she had more blood drawn, and we’re not sure if there was more blood or tears leaving her body. It is a traumatic thing for a kid, one that I didn’t want her to have to endure more than once.
Today, Big I’s doctor called with the results. She’s a DO and she’s brand spanking new. Our regular doctor left the practice and we’ve been seeing anyone who will have us lately. We’re usually very happy with the doctors there but for now, we’re without our main one. She started the phone call by telling me that Big I’s platelets have returned to normal levels. In fact, they were really quite good. The normal low range is 150,000. Her reading was 300,000. Fabulous.
Then she went on to say that she tested for some other things and of course, something turned up. The air temporarily left the room and I had to sit down because I felt like the weight of the world was just crushing my chest. She started talking about elevated liver enzymes and an elevated ANA level which signifies "rheumatoid disorders." She told us she wanted us to see a pediatric rheumatologist specialist in a nearby city and that levels like these can be indicators of early-onset lupus.
I didn’t know what to say. I was in shock and devastated all over again. I called Mr. BBM at work and I called my Mom. My Mom is an RN and she works with two excellent doctors. While we were discussing things, I mentioned to my Mom, "Couldn’t her liver enzymes be elevated due to her being on antibiotics? Can’t antibiotics do that?" My Mom quickly pulled out her PDR and what we found in the side effects section of Big I’s antibiotic was nothing short of a list of her problems: ITP resulting from the antibiotic, elevated liver enzymes from a reaction to the drug. And why wouldn’t she be allergic to this drug? The entire family, me, Mr. BBM and Lil C, are all allergic to penicillin, severely allergic to penicillin.
I called Mr. BBM and discussed Ackam’s Razor: the simplest solution usually applies; and we decided together that this doctor is diagnosis happy. She diagnosed ITP on Monday; then admitted she doesn’t have it today. She’s insisting we cart Big I all over the state to meet with specialists when the truth is, the kid doesn’t have a single symptom of the disease. Not one. Isn’t it at least possible that her messed up levels are due to an allergic systemic reaction from the antibiotic?
When Lil C reacted to a drug in that family, she swelled up like the Pillsbury Dough-boy and had our doctors asking if we had any history of lupus or Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis in the family. We have no family history of anything like that in our family. A dose or two of steroids and Lil C was back to normal. Isn’t it possible that Big I’s reaction stuck to her insides? Wouldn’t elevated liver enzymes indicate a reaction to the drugs?
The doctor admitted it’s only a small chance that something is wrong with Big I, but still went ahead and scheduled an appointment for her that, truth be told, we will probably cancel. Submitting your child for testing when they need it is one thing; submitting your child to a lifestyle of doctors appointments and diagnoses that immediately jump to the worst possible conclusion is not a road we’re interested in traveling. We took her off the antibiotic and think she should have a retest in a couple weeks when she’s entirely better and the drug is out of her system completely.
So, my question is, why did it take two stressed out and concerned parents and an RN Grandma to see the most obvious potential problem here? We are definitely asking to see a different doctor next time, and I am definitely laying off the google. Talk about needing a break from a "drug."
That “Break” Can Come ANYTIME Now
Big I had her follow-up finger stick today. The nurse asked Mr. BBM to put pressure on her finger for 30 seconds after. When he released, her finger began dripping again. She also had two petichial spots in her mouth that weren’t there on Friday. Despite the platelet reading being better today, the doctor is convinced that she does indeed have ITP. I spent the weekend thinking this was a temporary set-back and today I just can’t deal with any of this.
She has to have more blood work done on Wednesday and they are sending all of her results to a specialist at a hospital an hour away. She can’t go outside for recess, participate in gym class, or take karate for the time-being. She’s signed up to play t-ball with her best friend and the doctor said we’ll have to wait and see whether or not she’ll be able to play.
She’s back at school today and I just want to be there, shielding her from anyone who might run into her or hurt her in any way. I can’t imagine being told I couldn’t go out to recess or play in gym class as a kid. She’s going to be devastated. I am just reeling today with the weight of it all and just don’t know what to do with myself.
Not One More Thing
There is nothing more frightening than being faced with the very real possibility that something could be seriously wrong with your child. After spending the entire week out of school, Big I actually seemed to be perking up today; and then she showed me an odd rash that was forming on her arms.
A couple years ago, we rushed Big I to the doctor with another weird rash. We were reassured by the doctor on that visit because he told us it was a common rash and not a serious petichial rash. He explained the difference to us and told us that petichial rashes don’t blanche when you push on them. Petichial rashes are very serious business and represent bleeding beneath the skin.
The rash that Big I brought to my attention today was none other than a petichial rash. I started inspecting her everywhere and found a splotch on her forehead, more rash on the backs of her arms and shoulders, up and down her arms to her wrists and even on her back. I immediately told her to go show her daddy who was working in the basement, not knowing that our world was about to be turned upside down.
Within minutes, we were on the phone with the doctor and within another 20 minutes, Mr. BBM and Big I were at their office (Still sick, I was stuck at home with Lil C.) A finger stick revealed a very low platelet count and a white count that wasn’t even showing up. Mr. BBM was told to take Big I to the hospital for a complete blood work-up. The doctors mentioned lupus, mono, a blood disorder called ITP, leukemia and about ten other awful possibilities.
We were sick with worry. You know things are bad when you’re actually hoping that your child has ITP instead of any of the other auto-immune diseases that would have rocked our world in unimaginable ways.
Five vials full of blood and three hours later, we got the call that everything, minus her platelet count, is completely normal. Platelets are supposed to be around 150,000. Big I’s came in at only 53,000. They think it’s directly related to how sick she has been this week. She is under strict orders to take it very easy this weekend. No rough playing, no doing anything that might cause her to fall or get hurt. Monday morning she’ll have to have another finger stick to make sure her platelets are coming back up.
I got off the phone with the doctor and just broke down crying. There is absolutely nothing more terrifying than imagining all the potential things that could be wrong with your child. I was just so relieved I could turn that part of my mind off.
Today, we found out that our offer for building our new home has been accepted. It’s amazing how something as exciting as building a new home can completely pale in comparison to finding out your child is going to be o.k.
It has been a sick, horrible, and scary week for us; but we are hoping that these bits of good news begin a brand new trend, a healthy new trend.
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