Oh, **swear, swear, and double swear** !!

[Doran]

A trip to the pediatrician today confirmed that dd13 has pneumonia - again. It's been a year, almost to the day. And, while that seems like a good run, it's incredibly frustrating because we've been trying so hard to prevent this very thing. A year ago, we began the restricted diet for wheat and dairy. We agreed to start using nebulized albuterol treatments and inhaled steroids at the first sign of respiratory illness. We left the farm with all the chickens, the moldy crawl space, and the wood stove. And, we started dd on a not inexpensive herbal treatment regimen meant to boost her immune system in hopes of avoiding this again this winter. And, none of it worked!!

In November, when she got a cold and we avoided the Big P, we were both elated, thinking that something had finally made a difference. But, here we are, back on antibiotics, and advised to use gentle P.T. on dd's side after the neb treatments, to break up the mucous in her left lung. I'm so disappointed, and I know dd is feeling completely low. Poor kid. She's worked so hard.

So, here we are -- ground zero. I discussed the prospect of a pneumonia vaccine with the ped. today, and he says it's a reasonable next step. Another thing I realize is that dd has never had terrific aerobic capacity. Since she was quite young, she'd have to stop and rest after a "race" with her sister, who is younger and smaller (not in the over/weight sense). When we did a choral event last spring, dd couldn't hold a note as long as I -- not that I would expect her to, since I'm older and have more training. But, still.

Today, after we left the doc's, I talked with her about deep breathing exercises and ways to increase her lung capacity as another avenue we've not yet considered. I have this "sense" that she has never efficiently used the part of her lung that seems so susceptible to this crud. It generally shows up on the left side, and it shows up in a hurry. Her respiratory illness came on Friday night. As early as yesterday, she expressed concern based on what she felt in her body. We waited another 24 hours, but we probalby shouldn't have. So, this isn't like walking pneumonia, or the junk that hits lots of grown ups after a long lingering respiratory infection. Her specific weakness is her left lung.

Where do we go from here? Anyone have breathing exercise books or websites to recommend? Yoga videos that would actually train her to breath well? Know anything much about the pneumonia vaccine? She'll start back with her crew team in just a few more weeks, so I'm hoping that will be a step in and of itself. But, then, we'll also be moving into spring when this whole mess generally becomes less likely. And, we'll have another year of trial before we know much.

Fortunately, the doc did not recommend continuing the Pulmicort at this point. So, that's one good thing.

Sigh. Big, big, failure sigh. I sure do feel like I've let this kid down lately, even though I know that's just my PMS-head getting the best of me.

Doran

[Cadam]

My dear friend has a 4yo ds. He was hospitalized twice in the first 6 weeks of life with RSV and pneumonia. Now he gets it twice a year, without fail. His lungs are weak and that is just a fact. I think anything to strengthen her lungs is a good thing. Formal vocal training would help, or even just a few sessions to work on proper breathing. I really hope you can kick this but if not, simply catching each instance early is helpful.

[strider]

that I take up an instrument.

I have asthma. I have never had pneumonia, but my breath capacity just isn't that great.

My allergist is a wonderful woman who advocates both traditional medicine AND alternative medicine. For me she recommended playing flute or some other wind instrument.

She also recommended breathing exercises--she told me to just google for some options and do what singers do.

[Mom2legomaniacs]

One simple way to practice deeper breathing is this: (I learned it in a yoga class)

Lay one the ground as straight as possible yet somewhat relaxed. Keep your head straight with the chin slightly pulled down (just a tad). To do deep breathing, first, go through the nose for the breathing. Keep mouth closed, but not clenched teeth. In fact, if you keep lips together, teeth slightly apart with the tongue tip resting against the back of the top teeth.

So that's the starting position.
Now to inhale deeply and slowly, begin at the very bottom of the path -- the diaphragm. Expand that first by inhaling through the nose into the diaphragm. It will raise the stomach area. YOu will keep this raised while still inhaling very slowly. You will fill that area and begin moving up the chest until you have as much air in the diaphragm and lungs as possible. They will both "puff out" with this process.


Then to exhale. Do so again through the nose VERY SLOWLY. Do not push the air out, but let it work its own way out in the opposite fashion of how it became filled up. To finish the deep breath when you get to the bottom of the diaphragm, you will pull in the abdomen to further empty it.

Repeat this process slowly. If at any time you feel dizzy or light-headed, stop and breathe normally for a bit.

With practice, this is a great way to teach you how to fill yourself with air and increase your capacity.

Hope this helps some. Oh, and I am so sorry at how frustrating this must be. Good luck!

[JennifersLost]

Big hugs! There's no failure here - just a thing in life to deal with. I understand it's frustration and hormones speaking, but don't beat yourself up on top of it all. Look at everything you have done! And you will do more in the future, right?

Being a parent is so scary, isn't it? You just want to crowd them all in under your wing and keep them safe.

I wish I had pneumonia advice, but I don't really. Maybe each year she's away from the farm she'll get stronger if mold, etc., really does bring it on? Don't give up hope. Everything you're doing to support her immune system might build up over more time so that next year is smooth sailing.

[Chris in VA]

My brother has cystic fibrosis, and how well I remember my parents "clapping" him. Make sure you do it on an incline if you can.
I was just thinking that maybe you could check some of the websites on CF to see if they have any exercises.
((Doran)) It's so hard when a child is sick. Don't think of yourself as a failure. Think how much worse she could be had you not taken steps to help--and those were big steps, proving you are such a devoted parent.

[jacqui in mo]

From my flute playing, here's an exercise to increase capacity. Breathe in deeply, exhale a small portion of that, then breathe in deeply again. That enables you to take in more air than on just the one inhalation. Focus on really expanding the stomach & lower back. Hold this air for a second or 2 then exhale slowly through pursed lips & use a timer to see how long you can continue the air stream. I can't say whether you should have her doing this while the pneumonia is acute though.

Maybe you could ask to speak with a respiratory therapist?? They work with people who are intubated mostly, but they may have some good suggestions for your dd. I have worked with some in the past & they could be a great resource. They also have little portable breathing devices to exhale into to measure & work on lung capacity. Actually, now that I type that, I realized some Speech therapists can also get one of those for you. I'm sorry I don't remember what they are called. HTH

[Pencil Pusher]

Maybe I'm just being hopeful, but with all your work, I know it's daunting for your dd to have pneumonia again, but might it be a milder case?

Just looking for a silver lining.

((Doran))

[cin]

Doran, I am so sorry about your dd. On a side note, as I sat down, I was thinking 'I am so glad the kids are in bed, I have said more swear words in the past half hour than I have this whole month. Then I see your post, swear, swear and double swear :D Mines just going through the 6 yr old pms type of thing. Saying a prayer for you and her...

[Stirsmommy]

((((Doran)))
Do not think of yourself as a failure. P happens! And my dr has always said once you get it you are just a bit more susceptible to it. My dad has gotten the shot, I haven't I am needle phobic but have managed to go two years without getting it. I too have a lower lung capacity and I am asthmatic. I hadn't thought of trying an instrument to build up some lung power. I may have to look into that! Just rest up and be grateful you caught it as early as you did.

[Doran]

Interestingly, my Dad (83) has COPD, though not on oxygen. Respiratory therapy has been a general part of our family vocab. for about ten years now. Dad has used those little portable devices that measure airflow and lung capacity -- in fact, I remember seeing one in his room the last time he was hospitalized. Maybe we could get one somewhere?? Simple as they are, they probably cost mega-bucks. Gee, I'm just SO positive tonight aren't I?! Failed to mention that this flu is also affecting me today. Really, my original subject line should have been triple swear, right?

Dd plays classical guitar -- not very effective toward improving her breathing (ha!). I think we'll Google some specific exercises, and maybe take up singing in the shower! Not together, of course. :eek:

Thanks for all the encouragement, guys. I've got to find something more upbeat to post about one day soon. But, Geezo-Pete, teen romance issues, Swedish fish attacks, and now this...how much can a girl take?! :rolleyes:

Doran

[Doran]

I think we'll Google some specific exercises...


This reads like I didn't just receive a whole bunch of specific - and good - suggestions. Sorry. My head's a bit swimmy.

D~

[Herding Cats in NC]

Dad has used those little portable devices that measure airflow and lung capacity -- in fact, I remember seeing one in his room the last time he was hospitalized. Maybe we could get one somewhere?? Simple as they are, they probably cost mega-bucks.

Well, this wouldn't be especially convenient, but you can try testing your dd's lung capacity with this experiment: http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/body/lungs.shtml

Not sure how accurate you can make it, but it would at least let you check for improvement. Um, this is where I should probably 'fess up and say that I haven't tried this experiment yet. :rolleyes: So I offer no guarantees.

Hope she feels better soon!

[Amy in Orlando]

((((Doran))))) I'm sorry you're going through this again with your daughter. Please get some rest and take care of yourself (which includes NOT beating yourself up!) too. You've some great suggestions here. Let yourself get over the flu and then come back and consider them.

[Pegasus]

Both my DDs received the pneumonia vaccine 2 years ago. It seemed to cause a lot more discomfort afterwards than other shots they've had but I wouldn't avoid it just because of that. Just use ice and make sure she moves and uses that arm, even if it is sore.

Pegasus

[Doran]

Both my DDs received the pneumonia vaccine 2 years ago. It seemed to cause a lot more discomfort afterwards than other shots they've had but I wouldn't avoid it just because of that. Just use ice and make sure she moves and uses that arm, even if it is sore.

Pegasus

Had your dd's dealt w/ pneumonia -- is that why you decided to vaccinate them? I'm not a big fan of vaccinations, though we have done all the required ones. Pain is not much of a motivator, but if it would keep her off abx. every winter, it might be worth it. Thanks for the tip.

Doran

[Pegasus]

Had your dd's dealt w/ pneumonia -- is that why you decided to vaccinate them?

Doran

I sent you a private message. I do hope your DD recovers quickly.

Pegasus

[abbeyej]

Just a couple of thoughts...

Does your daughter swim? Can you get her into either regular swimming lessons or regular lap-swimming (*after* she's completely well, of course!)? Swimming (lap swimming, not just playing) is often recommended for asthmatics and others who need to increase lung capacity...

Another exercise that's easy to do at home... Have her lie down on he back, shoulders back, and place her hands on her abdomen. Tell her to take long, slow, deep breaths and feel them in her abdomen -- her shoulders and chest should not move. Do this for five minutes every day: deep breath (through the nose is better) that expands her abdomen but doesn't move her chest; hold it; exhale slowly; repeat.

Once she is good at that, have her sit cross-legged with her back against a wall, good posture. Then use one of those toys that looks like a bubble pipe but that has a little ball you try to balance in the air with your breath. You don't have to blow hard, but you have to maintain a constant, controlled flow. Here's one: http://explore4fun.com/blbapiflbaga.html -- I've seen them at party stores (I bought at PartyCity) in the $1 party favor section (for a set of four plastic ones). I can't seem to find them online right now (I'm assuredly just searching with the wrong terms, sigh), but they're relatively common. Have her time herself and see how long she can keep it balanced -- can she increase her time each day? Can she compete with you? (That works best if you can buy the $1 set of four, lol)... If you absolutely can't find those, then the little party blowout things are okay too -- they'll fall apart after a couple of uses and you have to blow a lot harder (so for a shorter time), but they can be a sort of silly but useful tool for working on breath control.

[shell in SC]

(((Doran)))

You tried all you could think of to try and for that you get the mommy of the year award b/c you made MANY changes to your lives and they weren't easy!!! There are parents out there who wouldn't consider moving and doing all that.

I know a bit about how you feel. DD had her surgery almost a year ago and her lung capacity is still not back to normal. She hasn't had any pneumonia since a few weeks after her surgery but I often wonder when she starts coughing for some reason if she's going to get sick.

Remember that we're all praying for your family, and anytime you need to swear just come on in and swear!

shell

[Doran]

Abbey, see now? This is why we need you so much here! I had wondered about swimming. Only trouble is we'd need a Y membership which is out of our league right now for a variety of reasons, mostly financial. But, Blow Ball Pipes for breath control..what a fabulous idea! I'll Google party supplies. Too scared to think what i might end up with if I search "blow" "ball" and "pipe" altogether. :eek:

And, Shell - your words have really encouraged me. I didn't know about your dd's surgery -- what precipitated that? It's so hard living with the question of health, isn't it? A good friend of mine has a 6 year old with cystic fibrosis. This morning I got an email from her stating, among other things, that her son has a touch of pneumonia in his left lung. Precisely where my dd's is. Sure makes me realize that we have much to be thankful for despite feeling sad when things don't play out the way we want them to.

Doran

[shell in SC]

here's my DD story. . .she broke her L1 & L4 vertebra (my spelling stinks). First dr didn't treat her correctly and the L1 started to fuse to another bone and had actually broken more and was in 2 pieces. So we went to another dr for 2nd op. Second dr operated. His treatment plan was for 2 separate surgeries, but once they started the first one he realized that her back was so messed up he really needed to do both then. She was in surgery for over 7 1/2 hours. She had a neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, thoracic surgeon, neurophysiologist all in the operating room with the anesthesiologist. It was a HUGE deal. We didn't realize how major this surgery was until it was over (which is probably a good thing). She had to spend three days in ICU, she had blood transfusions, ilius issues, and I can't even remember everything else, but she did get pneumonia. She was in the hospital for 10 days and I think had she not had the pneumonia she would have been discharged a day or two sooner, but they could not get it under control. We finally had to get a little bit mean and ugly to get them to discharge her when they did.

So that's DD's story. . . that was very brief. . .it's usually much longer. But now almost a year after her surgery she's as good as new. . .I praise God everytime I see her running up the street or through the neighbors yard b/c it's truly a miracle.

[Holly IN]

I didn't read the replies so I do not know if this is mentioned...Prednisdone? This is what really took care of my oldest crud in his lungs. He was on it for a year. Now he is alot better. He uses his inhaler every now and then but no Pnemonia or bronchitis for about 10 years. (He is 13 yrs old) He was on the medicine when he was 2 years old (ended when he was 3) but had to have Neb treatments all the time after that medicine was over. Also he was on restricted activities. All the restrictions are gone since we took him off of Neb treatments about 4 years ago. He has been on his inhalers since 4 years ago but slowly are not using it as often.

I know the Prednisdone medicine is a scary medicine. I believe it helped my son get on the road to recovery. He can run with the rest of the kids his age.

Holly