by Sarah | Nov 20, 2007 | CF, Terminology
Sputum Culture
Lovely word, isn’t it? Sputum. Sorry. Definition…
*
A sputum culture is a test used to determine what bacteria or fungi are infecting a persons lungs and/or breathing passages.
The test is run using a swab at the back of the throat to collect the Sputum**. The culture is then tested for growth. If not growth is present, the culture is considered negative. If there is growth, the test is positive and is then checked under a microscope to determine the type of bacteria.
~~~
**Extra definition: Sputum. The thick fluid fluid produced by the lungs and the airway leading to the lungs.
by Sarah | Nov 20, 2007 | Random
Well, it looks like our Christmas, and our pocketbook have been saved! We don’t physically have the money yet, but it has been withdrawn from DH’s 401K. We can fix Dh’s car now, and this means we can sell my car (this is bad and good) to CarMax, pay it off and get that bill, and the cost of insurance off our backs!! This translates into HUGE relief.
On top of that, our Christmas will be nice for the first time in 5 years. We can get our ‘big’ gift for Denver (space camp! Whee!), and a few others (It is SO hard to shop for a 10 year old boy, you know that?). We can round out the girls toys (right now they are primarily clothes)….AND…*gasp* BUY FOR EACH OTHER!!
AND, I can buy the supplies to make the girls holiday dresses…and purses for the rest of my fam (I’m still hoping mom’s sweater will be knit in time…but just in case…hello pursy!).
We’ve been waiting on news for over a week on this! The thought of getting this money has been a glimmer of hope for us! We need it…and a good Christmas. It’s been far too long! (Plus the added money every paycheck that he can’t pay into his 401K will help, too).
by Sarah | Nov 19, 2007 | Story of Me
On top of my usual baby-filled posts…I’m going to follow the ‘cool girls’ and post my “How I met my hubby” story here. Well, the story of me pre-hubby will be involved…and I will warn you…I was STOO-PID, NEEDY, and PITIFUL. But, hey…I grew up…sort of.
Oh yeah…and involved in that story (and it’s aftermath) will be the story of how NONE of my children should be possible…and how/why some days I blame myself for K’s issues for several reason (no, not the CF…that’s a genetic roll of the dice).
Anyway, the story of poor, poor, pitiful me (and subsequently my poor DH) will start (barring any hospital runs) tomorrow!
by Sarah | Nov 19, 2007 | CF
Whenever my blog starts working again, here’s my update!!
Bad news – definite crackling in one of the lungs. Wheezing on both sides.
Good news – Not severe enough for admittance yet. Because of good history over the summer of good throat cultures and lung function, he’s going to trust the antibiotic for now.
How we proceed – Continue on as we have been. If there is ANY change in how well she breathes, she’s going to be admitted. Translation: If she wheezes harder, or has labored breathing (seeing ribs when she breathes) we’re to call immediately and get her in. For now we trust the meds…and cross our fingers!!
by Sarah | Nov 19, 2007 | Uncategorized
We’re taking Kennedy into Riley in the morning (or tonight if she gets worse). The precaution of an antibiotic was too late. She developed a fever last night, and has been having bad coughing fits all day today despite 3 percussion treatments and two nebulizer treatments a day.
So we called again tonight. The doctor said we can take her to the ER tonight, or wait until tomorrow and just take her in when the CF clinic is open. For the moment, we’re opting to take her tomorrow. If she has trouble sleeping because of her cough, we’ll take her during the night.
Erik has called into work tomorrow and we are likely all four of us going up to the hospital in the morning (Denver will be in school). She may or may not be admitted. I’ll try to keep you updated. But tomorrow will be very long for the girls…there will be X-rays, a lung function test, and probably IV antibiotics for K.
Please keep her in your thoughts…we’ re hoping that we’ll be nipping it in the bud and that it isn’t too late…I’d hate for her to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving! As it is, we’re skipping family Thanksgiving to stay home with her.
