Can't wait to go snorkeling

Well......I'm a bit calmer than I was when I wrote my last post. But, I've loads to write about.

First, the new pediatric pulmonologist rocks. We're really excited. Munchkin #2's inhaled steroid level is going to come down, but she's now on a 'more powerful' med. And, she no longer has to use the 'bear breather' (what we called her spacer). Unless you've got an asthmatic child, you probably won't 'get' this, but we're really really happy. It was delightfully refreshing to talk with a doc again who REALLY gets asthmatic kids. Cost before insurance? 1 visit = $125U.S. but knowing your kid is gonna feel better and do better = priceless. And price of meds for one month before insurance = $300U.S. Thank you that we've got the ability to pay for all this!

Next, Munchkin #2 has Osgood-Schlatters Disease in her right knee. She'd had this for over a year and a half now. Up until this point, it's been manageable for her. Last spring, she developed bursitis on one side of her knee. It was the end of the sports season so again it was manageable. But now....she's developed a whopping bit of bursitis in a different area of her knee. She's been 'off' her P.E. classes at school, no running/jumping at recess and definately no sport after school! If you know my very athletic munchkin, then you know just how horrid hard that is. But, the thing hurts so bad she sits willingly at recess. We went back to the pediatrician for a second time today, and he's finally referred her on to a pediatric orthopedist. Reading on the internet and talking with family who are in sports medicine, more than likely the next course of action will be x-rays, and either drain the fluid and/or inject hydrocortisone into the knee. So...we'll see. Needless to say, we'll be giving our insurance policy an excellent 'test' so to speak here in the Middle East. Poor Munchkin #2 is so uncomfortable and tired of not being able to do sport that she was hoping they'd stick needles in her knee today!

I'm just so thankful that this all didn't happen our first year in the region. I think I'd be going nuts just trying to drive to these places!

We are all so going to need that snorkeling weekend coming up. I just hope Munchkin #2's knee is ok enough.

Then, it'll be time to find Munchkin #1 an orthodontist!

Peace.