Lisbon Mama

A portuguese mom parenting two

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Sometimes my family sucks.

aaa
My daughter is sick again. Am I doing something wrong here? Ever since she went to pre-school in September she has been sick all the time. She goes to school for like 4 or 5 weeks and then she's sick again, with high fevers and a horrible cough. Why? When will this stop?

I'm an asthmatic and I was diagnosed when I was about 2 and 1/2, around the same age R is now. Which obviously makes my Mom absolutely sure that she is an asthmatic too. And she bugs me about it the whole time!! She makes me feel like I am neglecting my daughter for not taking her to a specialist and not filling her with meds, antibiotics, breathing treatments, the whole enchilada.
I'm not saying she's not an ashtmatic. Maybe she is. I'm aware of the risk and so is her ped and we are watching her closely. But there just isn't any evidence that she is just yet.
Yes, she does get sick often, but so do all the other kids at school. And so do my friends' children. And I have been able to control these infections without giving her antibiotics, which did NOT happen with me. And she only started getting sick once she went to school. Before that she had never even had any type of medicine. And she does not have apnea, even when her cough is bad. She can breathe fine, she just has regular colds.

I'm confident with the way I'm handling things and so is my husband and the pediatrician. I know I'm taking good care of her and I will take further measures if I think it becomes necessary. But it really bothers me that my Mom is always making me feel guilty. Now I have my sister calling me telling me Mom thinks R has ashtma and you should go check it. The other day my aunt called me to ask me to bring her something from NY and she starts telling me the same thing, that my Mom is worried and blah, blah, blah. And the same with my grandma, and my cousin. What is it with people? Do they all think I'm stupid and inconsequent and irresponsible?! Argh!

4 Comments:

  • At 1:54 PM, Blogger Martha said…

    Ana, I really understand how your feeling. You are the Mommy trust your instinct. IF R had asthma it would be pretty obvious. Sounds to me like she is just going through the normal induction into pre-school. As an asthma patient and a Asthma Mommy I feel for you. Hugs my friend!

     
  • At 4:53 PM, Blogger Lioness said…

    And the good news is, in 10 years, they'll still be doing it. BELIEVE ME. Hell isn't it? Families can be so aggravating!

    Just a suggestion but you know that milk causes more secretions and an immune-response right? have you considered giving her soy milk for a while, or at least cut down on dairy, espec cow milk? Since her body is now more taxed bcs of all those germs, it might help a bit.

    Believe me, staying clear of antibiotics as long as you can is a v good thing. Not to be trifled with, they are. Just cover your ears and sing LA LA LA really really loud.

     
  • At 9:54 PM, Blogger Kristin said…

    You are NOT doing anything wrong. Kids invariably pick up every illness around when they start school. Don't let your family drive you nuts.

     
  • At 7:30 AM, Blogger JoeinVegas said…

    That's the purpose of school, so kids can share everything. Just wait for the head lice.

     

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