Over the last year Mason has been to the doctor more times than I can remember. It all started in April when he started a new daycare. I visited twice before he started going there. I was not impressed with the cleanliness of the place, or lack of I should say. Sadly it was the best pick from what I had to choose from. He of course became sick the first week of attending. I wasn't surprised or too discouraged at this. However, looking back that was only the beginning of a sickness that would last the next 6 months.
I kept him home a few days until his snot was clear, his cough was gone and he no longer had a fever. Then back to work for me and back to daycare for him. I was frustrated when I would pick him up after work and his hands and clothes would be filthy. I would scrub him down with baby wipes and hand sanitizer then change him into his spare clothes before even getting in the car. Crazy? Maybe, but it's just the way I am. After his first week back to daycare he again became sick over the weekend, but by Wednesday seemed better enough to go back. I really needed to get back to work. (I had been missing A LOT of work due to daycare difficulties-hence the new daycare)
Anyway, it was pointless because by lunch time he had a fever and was very fussy and I had to leave work again to go pick him up. I took him to the doctor. He had a virus but also a double ear infection. He was prescribed Amoxicillin and I left feeling a little better...a little hopeful that I would one day soon get back to work. Also I didn't like paying for daycare that I wasn't able to use.
The following week I went back to work, Mason went back to daycare and actually made it through the week. By the weekend he had a runny nose again and was not sleeping well. Wasting no time I took him back to the doctor. He had caught another virus (apparently this is "normal") but his ear infection had not gone away with the Amoxi. In fact it was much worse. So she prescribed the next step up on the antibiotic ladder. 10 days later, back for recheck, ear infections still there. I may as well been giving him water because the antibiotics were doing nothing. Well, not nothing, they gave him nasty diarrhea. The doctor then pulled out the big guns and told me this was the strongest antibiotic she was going to give him. I was not at all happy to be giving him all these medications especially so early in life and one after another. What was I going to do though? He couldn't just suffer with these ear infections forever. So, many diarrhea diapers and a horrendous yeast infection later he no longer had an ear infection! The antibiotic actually worked! (So did the oral anti fungal medication I had to give for the yeast infection, because topical cream wasn't enough.)
Back to work and back to daycare we went! A couple weeks later he was getting sick again. I couldn't believe it! I was more than frustrated. The receptionist at the doctors office knew my voice by now, I didn't even have to say who I was when I called or who his doctor was. (I never wanted to be the annoying parent that calls and calls and calls). I scheduled another recheck, and by this time he was also vomiting spontaneously. For instance he threw up at daycare so they called me and I left work to pick him up. Never threw up again for 3 or 4 days. Then out of nowhere he would throw up.
This went on for weeks. I was paying for daycare that I couldn't take him to and missing out on work. I'd burned through all my vacation hours and my boss's patience. I was simply treading water, trying to stay afloat while bricks were being thrown at me. Then came my life saver! My wonderful niece Iris! Every summer her and her brother come down for a few weeks. She had babysat Mason the summer of 2010 and I got lucky enough to have her watch him again! I was so relieved! Finally I could go to work and I knew he was well taken care of, would be clean, and take his naps! He still was sick most of the summer with mild colds (not allergies) and would vomit occasionally. But good little Iris took wonderful care of him while I was at work.
I never understood why people would want a nanny. I love being the person that takes care of my baby. I love that he depends on me and that I'm the comforting person he wants more than anyone else. However; after having Iris' help I was quickly spoiled and SO SAD when she had to leave. Besides her helping with Mason, she was so fun to hang out with! It's nice to have some company besides the baby. But she had to go home to start her senior year!
With that, Mason returned to daycare :(
By this time I had found a new place to take him! It was much more expensive but totally worth it! It was an in home daycare. The person I had known for years, and her daughter and I were best friends since 2nd grade. Not only did I love the new daycare but Mason loved it too! Maybe because he was a little older or maybe because it was THAT much better, but he loved going!
It wasn't all sunny and rainbows though. He did get sick again the first week. A little cold. It passed and I only missed a few days at work. Then came the ear infection!!!!
Back to the doctor! This time she started with the "big guns". Unfortunately it didn't clear up like it had in the past. He still got the nasty diarrhea and the ragging yeast infection though! So, she tried another antibiotic that also did nothing beneficial. We were then referred to the Ear Nose and Throat doctor. From there we were informed that Mason would need tubes put in. "A simple anesthetic procedure" and this problem should be solved. "Should" being the key word there.
The tubes were put in, the surgery went well, and Mason had a new fear for the doctor. Actually it's anyone wearing blue rubber gloves or a light on their head. (Through all of this he always loved the dr, until he had surgery). A few days of puss-like drainage from his ears was to be expected. When it had been almost a week of drainage I took him back in for a culture of the fluid because that was not normal. The next day we had results and a new antibiotic was prescribed. This one was much more mild (Cephalexion) and didn't really cause any side affects that I noticed.
November 3rd, I took Mason back to the specialist for another follow up. The doctor informed me for the first time since this all started in April that he was healthy and had no sign of an ear infection. The tubes were open and in place and working properly! NO ANTIBIOTIC NEEDED!!!
I've never been so happy leaving the doctor! Now that cold/flu season is among us I'm well equipped with hand sanitizer and baby wipes. I will also ask that your germy gross baby keep a safe and sanitary distance from my immune deficient one.
Thank You!
