my baby has asthma

one of my minor fears has been realised: the bean has been diagnosed with childhood asthma. she'd been having an irritating (to me) cough at night for about 2 months but because it went away during the day and because all of us thought this could be from teething symptoms (all the extra drool), i wasn't unduly worried. at least not until this monday past when she had a very runny nose the entire day, followed by a night of extreme wheeziness.

so i brought her to the doctor's where she behaved impeccably - she went straight to the children's corner in the waiting room and started colouring with the materials provided, and when she eventually met the doctor she wasn't shy or afraid. she was a bit fidgety because she didn't have any colouring materials in the office but she did a little exploring - she even went to stand on the weighing scale without being asked.

anyhow, the prognosis ain't too good. on top of this chronic asthma, she has an ear infection (left side only) and a cold. her breathing is laboured and the doctor was a bit surprised to find the bean so bright and happy, belying the seriousness of her condition. the doc said maybe it's just leah's nature but that with the ear infection she'd have expected her to be more miserable.

so we're back on ventolin and singulair, both medication we're familiar with because of the bean's previous bout of bronchiolitis. she also has to have a not-so nice tasting antibiotic (for the ear infection which the doc suspects is bacterial), which i am proud to say she downs (albeit reluctantly and with a screwed up face) like a little trooper.

i hope she grows out of this asthma soon...