Showing posts with label Flu Shot. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flu Shot. Show all posts

Friday, October 17, 2008

October: Down syndrome Awareness Month (post #10)- Low immunity with Ds

All is well again in Luke's world. He survived the flu shot trauma as I explained in post #9. He opted for the flu nasal mist after all instead of the shot. He did great! But poor little Reid, he didn't come out of the office unaffected. He left with two tweety bird band aids, one for each leg as he had to have some immunizations today.

I had mentioned that we all needed to get the flu shot around here to help protect Reid. For those that are not familiar with Down syndrome, one of the characteristics is a low immune system, making individuals with Down syndrome more prone to infections, respiratory infections being particularly worrisome. A respiratory infection is usually a viral or bacterial infection of the nasal passages, throat, bronchial tubes, or lungs. Because they also have low muscle tone it makes it difficult to cough productively or handle oral secretions. Respiratory infections are more often seen in children who also have congenital heart defects and complications like congestive heart failure and excess fluid in the lungs. Reid has been hospitalized twice for respiratory infections and coupled with his own heart complications we need to take every precaution to make sure we keep him as healthy as possible. 

I have added a picture of the two boys playing Nintendo DS after their outing to the Dr. office...neither look worse for the wear! :)

Thursday, October 16, 2008

October: Down syndrome Awareness Month (post #9)- The flu shot

Note to self: Don't tell Luke that he will be getting a flu shot today right after school...as you are trying to get him dressed and off to school in time!!

Oh boy, we had a melt down in our home this morning. The last few years we have been very concerned about the flu season because of Reid's low immunity...so off Toby, Reid, and I went to get our flu shots yesterday. Without Luke knowing it I had made an appointment for him to get one as well, for after school today. But, for some crazy reason I decided to inform Luke of this this morning just before heading off to school...gulp...and we were already short on time, which didn't make things any better!!! Immediately after I announced the word "shot" Luke went into hysterics, tears, body shaking...the whole nine yards. In an effort to calm him down I told him that maybe he could get the nasal spray mist instead of the shot. He proceeded to ask, in a shaky little voice, if it hurt? My response started as a naive..."Not really, it just kind of feels funny..." when I could see Toby flagging me with his arms and doing the "cut it" at the throat thing...as he could see that that was not helping matters by any means! Oh dear...well, we managed to get him off to school just in the nick of time....with him quizzing us on more details he could expect later this afternoon... the whole way there. Poor little guy! Enticing him with lollipops and cute tweety bird band aids don't do it for him anymore!!

But, in the name of protecting little Reid he will endure...begrudgingly though!