Monday Update - 18 Month Doctor Visit - A Long Day

OK, today did not go as planned. We got up on schedule and I had the kids out the door by 9:40 for their 10 am doctor appointment. I had to park in the farthest lot and was very thankful for our choo choo wagon. We were at the health center until almost 1:00pm! I will go into more detail in a minute, but here are every ones latest stats for their actual age not adjusted.
William
height: 31.1 inches (10-25%)
weight: 19lbs 15oz (<5%)
head circ. 19.25 inches (75%)

Logan
height: 32.5 inches (50%)
weight: 21lbs 4oz (<5%)
head circ: 19 inches (50-75%)

Jessica
height: 29.9 inches (5-10%)
weight: 18lbs 1oz (>1%)
head circ: 18.75 inches (75%)

Will is doing well for the most part. The doc wants me to add some extra fat to his diet to help him gain weight. She is also a little concerned about his speech delay and some oral issues with feeding and wants him in speech therapy. He had to have a finger prick for a lead test and another blood test.

Logan is actually not just having teething issues - he is sick. The doctor diagnosed him with the early stages of bronchiolitis. We have to give him 2 nebulizer treatments a day for the next several days. He also has a speech delay and needs speech therapy. His hernia is still there and we just play the waiting game until October. He also had his finger pricked like Will for tests.

Jessica is really sick. She had really not eaten much this weekend, so I was thankful for the appointment. It turns out that she has a worse case of bronchiolitis. Last year, it would have meant a hospital stay, but for now we can treat her at home. WOOHOO! We have to give her 4 nebulizer treatments a day and push liquids. She had a treatment while we were with the doc and it did wonders for her lungs. The doctor was not as concerned about her minor speech delay because she signs and says a few words, while the boys just sign a few words. Her main concern was Jess' illness and her actually losing weight and falling off her curve. Til now, Jess has never been on the growth charts, but has always had a good curve. The doc ordered a bunch of tests to help figure out what is going on. Jess had the finger prick for the same tests as the boys, but she also ordered a stool specimen and lots of blood work. Jess kindly pooped while we were getting the boys' physical done so that was no problem, but the blood work became an issue. Her veins are so tiny, the lab techs at the base could not get it to work and I had to take her after nap to the actual hospital to get it done. Even at the hospital, we had to wait almost 45 minutes for a NICU nurse come to take an arterial sample, because the lab tech said her tiny veins would keep collapsing after she was only able to get barely enough for one test! We were there for almost 2 hours to get 3 little tubes of blood! Poor Jess has been a trooper all day and is finally sleeping peacefully.

All in all, it has been a rough, long day and I am ready for bed. If you are interested, I did a search on WebMD and this is what they say about the kids illness.

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is an infection of the bronchioles, the small air passages in the lungs. It is common in young children and is the leading cause of serious lower respiratory illness in infants.

What causes bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is usually caused by a virus, especially respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and frequently occurs in the late fall to early spring.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of bronchiolitis include runny nose, cough, and fever. After a few days, your child may experience shortness of breath and/or breathing that is rapid and labored with wheezing.

A severe infection in infants may cause a noticeably increased breathing rate.

Symptoms of bronchiolitis may last 3 to 4 days. Most children recover within a week.

How is it treated?

Home treatment to manage the symptoms of bronchiolitis is usually all that is needed. Have your child drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. If your baby has a stuffy nose, it can be helpful to use a suction bulb to remove mucus. Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may help ease discomfort.

The doctor may suggest bronchodilator medicine if your child has shown the tendency to have allergic reactions (atopy). In severe cases, your child may need to stay in the hospital or get extra oxygen.