A Mac update

No, this isn't a computer upgrade..it's another mac update.  I feel bad for my other kids..they will probably look back on this blog and realize that Macky-moo is the focus most of the time.  I guess that wouldn't be the case if he wasn't sick ALL THE TIME!

Well, last week (wednesday or so) Mac started getting a runny nose (1st sign).  We started nebulizer treatments soon after and even had them on our family vacation.  Then sometime over the weekend his fever spiked and we were pushing albuterol and tylenol.  I could HEAR crackling and wheezing throughout the past few days...lots of late night treatments.   

Today we had a routine visit with his pulmonologist, Dr. C.  After seeing this dr. for over a year, this is the FIRST time that Mac has been sick when we went to visit him.  Every time we have gone in the past, Mac has either JUST gotten over his sickness (thus no wheezing) or he gets sick within 2 days AFTER the visit.  This time was different....

After listening to him for a bit, he could hear the crackling too.  Pneumonia.  On the left side. 

This brought up SO many questions for me, since he had pneumonia 2 months ago almost to the exact day (well, as the diagnosis at least) and in the LEFT lung. 

This opened a whole big can of worms with the dr. Having the left lung affected so often could be something bigger than what we had originally thought. 

 Here is what I remember him saying:
- Mac doesn't have typical asthma that is associated with allergies.  He has asthma that is triggered by viruses.  Any kind of virus.  It always manifests itself 1st with a runny nose.  Then after it starts there, it moves down the throat, until it settles in to the chest.  Most people can fight it off before this happens...Mac isn't so lucky. 
-Since we are having reoccuring issues with his LEFT lung, there could be a bigger problem.  They may need to eventually do a CT scan to figure it out.
-I was worried that there were too many nebulizer treatments/would it be ok if we had a refill (after refill, after refill) he likened it to this:
"If a child has a fever, you give them Tylenol.
If a child has a cough, you give them cough syrup.  This IS Mac's cough syrup.  This is his medicine.  This is what he needs, when he needs it.  It's ok to give it to him."
-We have antibiotics, steroids and nebulizer refills whenever we need them.  I feel like a Pharmacist/Dr.  I am at least thankful that this Dr is willing to listen and it's not just a fluke thing.
-He said that even with the Alvesco (the preventative inhaler), it might not help.  We are going to start it back up and see if it can lessen his symptoms.
There were a few more things, written down, in the car, but I am too tired to get them right now.  I love this little boy.  I hope that the grows out of it..and according to the Dr.  there is a good chance.  I'll take ANY glimmer of hope there is.  I hate to see my little man sick.