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On managing bronchiolitis

By 17th November 2017 No Comments

We’re at home, which is more comfortable for Kai (and generally just better for everyone). We’ve battened down the hatches and are holding fort against bronchiolitis- its hard work hey.

I’ve cancelled all Kai’s appointments (six across four days not including the nurse visits. I’m gutted because some were so difficult to arrange!!) and it’s just me with my full focus on Kai. I literally haven’t left the house since we got back from the hospital. I designed and printed our own observation sheets and we do them mostly every hour. The benefits of design skill, hey? Mostly so I can see at a glance how Kai’s doing, and fend off anything before it happens. He’s managing, but it’s clear it’s a struggle. Poor little guy.

Kai requires regular suctioning out his nose and mouth, which is horrid for us both. It’s literally me suctioning the goopy flem out from his nose and the back of his throat. It’s thick and horrid and watching it go down the tube makes me want to gag. But Kai always breathes better after, so we do it. Not too often because we don’t want his body to go into overdrive and make more, just when he’s struggling. It’s pretty gross – but hey ho. The things we do.

We haven’t needed oxygen yet (thank goodness) but his temp keeps going up, and when it does his heart rate and respiratory rate skyrocket. I’m trying to manage it with Calpol (the magic drug for babies) but watching the fever bounce up and down makes me feel like I’m in a never-ending loop.

Observations, meds, chest percussions, feeds, suction, nappy change, seizures.

 

The consultant said it would be about five days of unpleasantness, with the worst of it being Day two/three (meaning today…. awesome). I know this is standard for special needs kids. I know it is. But it’s my first time through this particular rodeo – last time I let them convince me we should be on the ward (bad call). It’s hard work, and I do it because I love Kai (obvs) but also because I can’t not.

However the idea that we’ll be experiencing this on and off all winter long for all the years that Kai is with us? It’s like staring into a tunnel with no light at the end. I hate this. I hate that Kai is suffering, that he’ll forever be medically fragile. That anytime anyone is sick, they could pass it on to Kai and we’ll be right back here.

That, logically, it’s likely that these chest infections are what will bring about the end. From what we can tell, the end in kids with NKH is typically caused by respiratory issues. And for every chest infection Kai gets, the weaker his chest will become until one day he won’t be able to breathe. I hate the idea. I loathe it.

So while I’m here giving it my all, to help stave off this stupid stupid cold – I can’t help but feel like we’re edging towards the inevitable. And then I realise how overwhelming my fear is. My child has a terminal disorder, and I have The Fear. I hate this. NKH can suck it.

 

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