pediatric update again

it seems like only a week ago, dear reader, that we were reminding you of the archane rules of the blog where pediatric update trumps weekend update. and we told you not to worry ... it doesn't happen often and your weekend update shouldn't be delayed going forward.

we also expressed the hope that it would be a while until jack again saw doctor dana.

unfortunately, here we are, once again preempting our (day-late) weekend update to bring you a pediatric update.

jack has been sick since thursday night of last week. he's had a cough and runny nose, plus a fever. over the weekend, he seemed to get worse and by saturday afternoon was feeling very listless. he didn't want to go outside or run around ... he only wanted to snuggle on the couch and watch tv. very much unlike him.

he simply kept repeating, in a very plaintive voice, "i'm not feelin' well." and when you asked him how he was feeling? "not so well." it was truly pathetic.

we thought it was likely a virus which would run its course, but when he woke up with a fever again this morning, we decided it was time to head to the doctor.

diagnosis?

pneumonia.

she thinks it is likely that jack's illness started with a virus like rsv and developed into a viral pneumonia with wheezing and some labored breathing. he also has some fluid in his ears but so far it has not developed into an ear infection. small graces.

so, jack has been given an antibiotic and a nebulizer with inhaler and will be back to see doctor dana in a week to check his progress. he's also on a probiotic to try to avoid the digestive problems that frequently accompany antibiotics ... 'cause the last thing he needs is a nasty diaper rash on top of the pneumonia.

but, jack is still staying upbeat. he got to pick out a new racer car from doctor dana's "treasure chest" and he also got a sticker with curious george putting a star on a christmas tree (wonder if it made him think of his baby sister). as we waited for our prescriptions to be ready, he also enjoyed "shake" at starbucks.



hopefully he's on the mend and will be back to his old self very soon.