An Unexpected Trip

We spent the morning of this holiday at the ER– Sam woke up with rapid breathing and lethargy. She’s had a cold the past couple of days and has been downright miserable. The doc heard wheezing in her lungs, and a truck load of phlegm. They also did this interesting test which measured the oxygen in her blood using a light strapped to her finger. We didn’t need to see the results to know that she wasn’t getting enough. The treatment they prescribed is the same for asthmatics: Sam had to inhale a mixture of albuterol and steam, which meant that AC and I had to hold a mask over her nose and mouth for several minutes. I’m glad to say that she struggled and screamed quite a bit– better that than limp passivity. After a second oxygen test, they released us, with a home set-up to administer more albuterol as needed for the next few days.

The doc said that it might be asthma, but there’s an equal chance that it’s not. Perhaps Sam and I just picked up a nasty bug on our recent flight.

Two hours after the medication and Sam is now noticeably better, eating a decent meal, and telling her father all about pancake and sausage houses.

Phew. We’re feeling very grateful this Independence Day.