Watts Happening: Long time, no blog?

Warning! This is a long post. But, I want to update you on how we have been...or if you want, just skip to the bottom and look at pictures.

It has been a long winter in Kansas with more snow than Kansas has seen in years and colder weather than we have experienced in the 7 years we have lived here. Someone quoted a statistic in middle February that on average during December, January, and February, we have twenty something days with a high of 50 or above. This year we have had 2. We also had a record number of consecutive days with no sunshine. That is not a record you want to set. We are finally thawing out and have seen the sun a few times in the last two weeks.

Isaac had a better winter with his breathing. I think we have learned what to watch for and begin breathing treatments immediately. It was suggested by the doctor that even when Isaac is not coughing or wheezing, that during the winter... he should stay on one maintenance treatment a day. This really made a difference.

Then, the ear infections began or should I say ear infection...oh yes, only one, but the longest ear infection ever. The beginning of February Isaac wasn't sleeping well and was very grumpy. He doesn't really show the usual signs for ear infections so it is hard to tell. And now we know, he must have a high tolerance for pain. We began our first round of Amoxicillan. We finished that and I did not think he was sleeping any better. So, we went back and sure enough, his ear infection was still present. We began a stronger antibiotic. After about 4 days, my "mommy instinct" told me he was getting worse instead of better, so I took him back to the doctor. They confirmed that his ears were worse. So, we began three days of Rocephin antibiotic shots at the doctor's office each day. We have been told that these shots are very painful. He would act fairly happy each time we got to the doctor's office, he enjoyed the toys in the waiting room. Then, the nurse would come to the door and call his name. Isaac began to really dread the nurse calling his name. At that point he would begin to whimper and hold on to my leg. It was so sad.

So, we had all three shots and after two or three days, I thought he was some better. He was sleeping a bit better and seemed not so grumpy. I took him back for a follow up visit to find out that his ear infection was not gone. Our pediatrician was very concerned at this point. He gave us another Rocephin shot and got us in to see the ENT the same day. The minute the ENT looked in Isaac's ears, he said, "We need tubes, NOW!" and couldn't believe that his ears still looked this bad after so many antibiotics. So, he scheduled Isaac's surgery for the next morning. Isaac was in and out off surgery in less than 30 minutes. We praise God for His protection of Isaac through this procedure. Our ENT was a blessing from God. He prayed with us at our visit and before Isaac's surgery. The doctor said that when he punctured his eardrum to insert the tube, that tons of puss came pouring out and that Isaac must have had tons of pressure and had been feeling lots of pain. The doctor injected antibiotics through the tubes after inserting them and insured us that Isaac will be feeling better almost immediately. So, his tubes went in yesterday and last night Isaac slept through the night without crying out, moaning, or waking up screaming. What a difference! We pray that tonight brings more rest and that he continues to feel better. We are having to put ear drops in twice a day and Isaac is not a big fan of those, but we will be persistent to get this ear infection to go away. We have a follow up visit with our wonderful ENT next week and hope to "hear" (hee hee) that all is well in Isaac's ear. Please continue to pray for healing in Isaac's ears.

A few pictures from the last few months.

Isaac loves hats and will wear any hat he finds...his own, mine, or Barry's.

OK, so it doesn't always have to be a hat on his head...

Gee, I wonder where Isaac gets his dramatic side. Here is Barry performing as the Cat-in-the-Hat for the Kindergarten and 1st Grade at my school this year. He has done this for quite a few years now and my students always love it and so does the staff.