Day started with alex getting a chest xray, then a lung function test. He had been complaining of chest/breathing problems when he exercises.
Then we ran to ENT where Lalo was with Elyse waiting to be seen. This was a new appointment for Elyse too. First time seeing ENT in Milwaukee. We weren't happy with our Chicago one. Anyways. Went over both kids history. It's always fun trying to go over Elyse's. Elyse was there just to followup on her conditions. Alex was being seen for the hearing loss he felt in his left ear. ENT had his ears cleaned and then sent him over for a hearing test.
Meanwhile, with Elyse.. he did a quick scope of her nose and throat. She wasn't very happy. Her vocal cords are still paralyzed. Right one is completely paralyzed and the left one moves very minimal. He also noted that her tonsils are enlarged and wants a sleep study. He is concern because this could add strain to her heart if shes having trouble sleeping at night. He feels that the tonsil need to come out. I guess we'll wait to see how the sleep study goes because i've never heard her snore. That would of been a symptom of them giving her problems. but that's why we are doing the study, see if anything else is going on. He said that if the tonsils do come out, then he can scope her airway and even do a test on her vocal cords to see how much they are really working. OH and her ear tubes. One seems to be coming out and another is either out or has fallen in. That will be another thing he would like to look at. The idea of having her tonsils out really has me nervous. That's why i do want to make sure she needs them out. Alex had his out, but they were laser. I forgot to ask the ENT how he cuts them.
After Elyse's appointment, I took her to see the Pulmonary doctor. Lalo stayed behind while Alex finished his hearing test. We were on a very tight schedule.
Pulmonary said Elyse's lungs sounded clear. We talked about her latest cold. How its been difficult for her to get rid of congestion in her chest. Two weeks ago, it got so bad that I called the clinic to see what we could do because we were already using the nebulizer 3-4 times a day and it wasn't doing much. The clinic prescribed a three day course of steroids which on the first night, helped her sleep. so after hearing this, Pulmonary decided to put Elyse on a steroid inhaler for the rest of the winter. I mention our ENT appointment and she would also like to scope Elyse if she gets her tonsils removed.
In the meantime, the ENT was meeting with Lalo regarding Alex hearing problem. He said that Alex did have minimal hearing loss in his left ear and so now Alex needs a CT scan to see why.
I was going over Alex's medical history with Pulmonary when he and Lalo arrived. She asked him more questions and said that his lung function test was normal BUT he wasn't under any kind of stress. Alex mostly complains after he's been running. She told us she would like him to use an inhaler prior to going to gym class. We followup in 2 months. If that doesn't work, he will then do a fitness test where they will measure his breathing.
It was a very long day. We were very happy to leave. We were starving and hadn't eaten anything since 8 AM. There just wasn't any time to eat anything in between the appointments.
:) oh and on our way home... we got a flat tire! it took what seemed forever to get home. Lalo had to use a spare, so he couldn't go faster than 50.
Alex during his lung function test. Looks like fun. =D
