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Saturday, January 23, 2010

My Poor Zachary

Zach hasn't been feeling well for a week now. He started complaining of headaches a week ago on Friday. His teacher has been concerned. He would lie around not being himself at home until I give him Tylenol or something and you can tell he feels better. Well, things became worse. He was sent home from school on Wed with a fever and a headache. I gave him some Tylenol and again, he felt better and enjoyed the evening with us. The next day I kept him home. He developed his headache around the same time as usual, around 11 or 12. I called the dr and they agreed to see him. The Dr said it seems like a sinus infection. He did a sinus xray and we could see where he seems to have some blockage. He hasn't really had a cold per say, he has had a pesty dry cough for a while, but nothing that I could see would cause sinus drainage. However, I was happy to know what it was and get some antibiotics for Zach so he will get better. Fri around noon I get a call from the school nurse saying Zach was really uncomfortable and wanted to come home. Scott picked him up and Zach cried for the next 2 hours! As soon as he got home we gave him ibuprofen for the pain plus a dose of allergy/sinus decongestant. He was still crying out in pain an hour after the medicine! I have never seen Zach in so much discomfort. This is a kid who had 2 cavities filled without Novocaine! The dentist was impressed. (and slightly sadistic if you ask me) A kid who had his head split open SO deep and had to have it glued back together, a kid who says "I like shots, bring them on!!" So yes, he has been in serious pain. I read that apple cider vinegar in warm water helps, but I couldn't get him to choke it down. We sat in a hot steamy bathroom and I called his dr back. I just wanted to keep them in the loop and let them know how much pain Zach was in. I know he was already diagnosed and treated, but I didn't know what else I could do? I didn't demand anything, just wanted some reassurance that we were doing everything we could and that the antibiotics will kick in soon. After talking with a few nurses, the dr ordered some codeine for the pain and sent us to get a ct scan to rule out anything else besides sinus issues. Finally, Zach started to feel better. We rushed to the imaging center and he had his first ct scan. He said it was "cool". Yep, he felt better. The thing that concerns me now is, after the scan they told us to wait for results. Then they come back and say we can leave and we will need to talk to our dr about the results. But, I am going to try not to worry about that. It must be a sinus infection. The strangest thing is the pain comes strong between noon and 5 ish every day! Seems to get worse each day. Today we are ready for it, armed with codeine. I hate to drug my kid like that, but it kills me to see him hurting. If you know Zach then you know he is rarely sick, hurting or sad about anything. (except a sad movie or show, he is really in touch with his sensitive side!) Even the school nurse said "Zachary is not one to complain, we know this is serious". I hope and pray that this is just a sinus infection that is about to clear up any day now, and we are going to look back and think how silly it was to get a ct scan for a little sinus infection:)

4 comments:

Blasé said...

drugs are a good thing, keep Zach medicated until the situation wears off. And, give that boy something to eat...

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry Zach is in pain:(
What activities does he do between those hours that the pain starts? Is he on the comp? What classes is he in between those hours, etc. The slightest thing could be causing this.

Suzanne said...

Poor Zach :( I'll be praying for ya'll!

For the Apple Cider Vinegar - it needs to be unpasturized (you can get it from a health foods store usually) and if you put it in a pot of water and bring it to a simmer. Then throw a towel over his head and put him over the pot. Have him take DEEP breaths and DO NOT lift the towel. It works wonders!

Anonymous said...

I hope Zach feels better soon. I will keep him in my prayers. Love and miss you much! ~Lucy~