Yesterday we finally had the follow-up visit with the ENT specialist for Caleb regarding the croupy cough he had over the holidays. Of course, after I pondered this a little longer, I began to realize this is generally how his cough sounds every time he gets a nasty cold, so I didn't give it much more thought.
That was until yesterday.
Initially we thought we'd get to go to the ENT office here in town, but it turned out the only pediatric doc that specializes in these types of problems no longer worked in the office upstairs from our pediatrician. She has since moved her practice to Denver. While the drive to Denver was a bit inconvenient, it was okay. We'd make a day of it. Have lunch, do some shopping, enjoy each other's company, etc! We invited Nana, since Craig couldn't get the day off. The more the merrier! Truth be told, I really didn't want to drive in downtown Denver without a little adult moral support. Not that Caleb wouldn't have been enough, but he's just not quite old enough to calm my nerves about driving in crazy Denver.
Amazingly, the drive was so smooth and shockingly, we found a parking spot with no problems at all. Granted I had to parallel park, but fortunately, I've gotten much better at this with age. Another plus of being in my forties!
As for the appointment, well it turns out that because Caleb is so healthy--no asthma issues, no snoring problems, no swelling of the tonsils, no history of repeated cases of strep, no severe breathing issues except for when he gets a cold, the doc needs to have a better look at what is going on. And of course she can't do this without operating.
WHAT??!!
WAIT!!
This was supposed to be a routine visit. In and out. Here's the problem and here's how to fix it when it happens again.
Apparently, the doc needs to be able to see deeper into the throat to rule out what is causing the reason for the barking cough that Caleb gets. She suspects it is probably that the opening is just too small and that it is something he needs to grow into. Hopefully by 12 or 13. If this ends of being the case, then he gets to come home the same day. However, because he had surgery for pyloric stenosis when he was a baby, he could have scar tissue from when they intubated him for the procedure. Or he might have a cyst that is causing the opening to be so small. In this case, she indicated that she would remedy the problem right then and there, but he would need to remain in the hospital overnight for observation.
Ughh...no one likes to see their children sick. Especially when they have to go to the hospital. But God is Great! In fact, earlier in the the morning while taking the kids to school, we happened across the song, One Great God. We commented on all the wonderful things we have in life and were giving thanks.
Isn't it amazing how in one instant our world can be turned upside down. But no worries. The best part is knowing that God is near. We know He will be present throughout the whole procedure and protect us from all things. Just as He is present each and every moment of our lives. And the doc is great! She was so good at explaining what was going on and what she would be doing during the procedure. Of course we are concerned, scared, worried, and filled with fear. But one thing we can hold onto is that our God has great plans. Plans for good and not for evil to give us a future and a hope. (Jer: 29:11) We do not need to be afraid when we allow Him to be in control.
