Friday, May 27, 2011

Breathe

I am full of little platitudes and mantras that I often quote to myself and others. Honestly, I am a walking Hallmark card and how it hasn't annoyed anyone is beyond me (are ya'll too polite to call me on it?). One day I want to take some of my favorite ones and cross stitch them. It would be even better if I could get my friend to put them into a quilt. I can think of no better testament to the art of motherhood (even funnier if I use the stupid things that I say over and over on a daily basis).

My favorite chant is Breathe. So often, I am so stressed, that I forget to breathe deeply, fill my lugs all the way, give my body, my mind, oxygen. It is amazing how well it works. The other afternoon I was manning yet another insane recess time, trying to simultaneously mediate fights, patch minor boos boos, and watch new jump rope tricks. I paused took a deep breath and smelled... honeysuckles! Unknowingly I softly sighed "Honeysuckles!" One of the little boys tearing past me stopped, sniffed the air in wonder , and broke out into a huge grin. "I smell them too. Where are they?" I pointed them out and he continued charging past me, but for a moment he and I shared a moment of peace. That has been so rare.

Ironically, one of the most important people in my life has had such a hard time breathing even shallowly. My poor Lily has been miserable with allergies and asthma. All of her life doctors have been guessing at what in the world causes her such distress. We medicate, she hacks, we pound her back she hacks, we prop her up, she hacks, I don't sleep, she hacks. Currently she is on Calritin once a day, Veramist twice, Patanase twice, Advair twice, and rescue inhaler as needed. This week was the worst. The school called me twice at work. She wasn't able to stop coughing even with the inhaler. These are the times that being a teacher is the worst, I am torn in two directions, switching Mommy hat and teacher hat, loving all my kiddos, hating to leave any of them. Finally, Rob was able to take her to the doctor and they gave her a nebulizer. So far so good. This summer, once she clears up, the allergist is going to do a full battery of tests to figure out exactly what she is allergic to. We don't want to keep her on all of this medicine any longer than necessary. Meanwhile we are all tryign to slow down and breathe.

3 comments:

Exurban Cowgirl said...

Love this post. Hope you all are able to find the best way to manage Lily's asthma. Have you tried any alternative therapies? I have a friend who was frequently hospitalized for asthma while we were in college...she found acupuncture very helpful!

Betsy said...

Oh bummer,bummer, bummer. About the asthma, that is, not the honeysuckles. Isla is prone, has taken the nebulizer route a few times. It is painful as a mom to hear that coughing and rattling chest and not be able to figure it out or make it go away. Tons of pollen, more than usual, in the air around these parts. I'm not sure where you are...
Good luck with the sleuthing. And, don't forget to breathe. :)

mooserbeans said...

Thanks guys! Rob and I ahve a feeling less will be more. Once we figure out what she's allergic to, we hope to only use the medicine then. Betsy we are in Northern VA. We got crazy pollen here too!