Jonathan Update

We went to the allergist appointment this afternoon. I missed AWANA AGAIN because we didn't get out until 6, but I had to take the appointment when I could get it.

Dr. Washburne took an Xray of Jonathan's chest, totally clear. He also tested Jonathan for asthma using the pulmonary function test...Jonathan passed with flying colors...several times. He listened to him and heard no wheezing whatsover. He of course heard Jonathan's constant/chronic cough and he said, "That's a post nasal drip cough." SO...I asked him if he really thought Jonathan had asthma and he said he didn't. I then asked him why did Jonathan fail the pulmonary function test on base on that day. He said it could be a variety of reasons, but mainly he could've been sick or the test might not have been administered correctly. Now Dr. Washburne is the specialist and his equipment is state of the art (computerized PFT) so I'm going to take his word. We have an appointment next week and he wants to just make sure about the asthma. He's going to do an exercise challenge test. Jonathan will have to run for 10 minutes and then they will measure his breathing in so many increments. Dr. Washburne said Jonathan's main thing was the extreme allergy problems (the kid is highly allergic to everything). His nose/sinuses were extremely swollen and he could tell he had bookoos (is that a real word?!) of post nasal drip.

SO...he'll go next week for the exercise test and since Nate is a runner, I'm going to ask him to go along if he can take off. Dr. Washburne's (super sweet!) nurse, Jill runs with the kids, but I know it will make Jonathan feel more comfortable to have dad there.

Another thing Dr. Washburne is exploring is reflux (GERD)...we didn't really go into alot about that because he wants to rule out the asthma for sure. He said to take certain precautions though...no eating two hours before bedtime/elevating his bed/watching the spicy foods. I think we'll talk about that more later.

AND...we will start allergy shots next week. Now he's done these before, in MA and the kid was a champ. He saw much relief from them, but now we are starting all over after moving here and having different culprits, etc Allergy shots are not a quick fix though. Jonathan might see some relief after about 6 months...much more relief by 1 year...total relief by 2 years...and then complete healing after 5. Now that's the 'norm'... each person is different. But the first two statistics were right on for Jonathan before. He went through 14 months of shots previously.

I'm feeling better after today's appointment.