My fear with her is that since she was so easy she would feel overlooked since Korban has so many needs. She doesn’t seem to feel that way, and we’ve tried really hard to make sure she has her own activities and we spend time just with her. That’s one of the main reason I homeschool her—so we will have a few hours out of the day just me and her.
Selah always just seemed healthier and stronger than Korban did as a baby. She had her share of sickness like any child does, but nothing like what he went through. As he has gotten older his health has thankfully improved. He has primary immune deficiency, and required treatments for that until last year. He has been under close supervision from his immunologist, but his levels have stayed good and he hasn’t required additional treatments.
Selah has actually been sick more than he has this year. A couple of months ago she was getting ready to go to her jiu jitsu class and she came and told me she didn’t want to go. Very unusual for her, because she loves jiu jitsu. I asked her why and she said her ear had just started hurting. Brad had to go to a board meeting that night so we decided he’d go early to take her to the urgent care clinic that was still open. We debated on taking her, but decided that she was probably getting an ear infection and didn’t want to put off having a dr check her. So they went on, and the dr said she definitely had an ear infection. Brad got her script filled and took her to his parents’ house while he went to his board meeting, which was just around the corner. They text him during his meeting saying she was inconsolable and they were worried. They never do that, and Selah is generally calm, even when she feels bad. Brad left immediately to go get her and found her screaming in pain. She was calm again by the time they got home but I figured I knew what happened. I looked at her ear and she had fluid and junk pouring out of it—her eardrum had ruptured.
I took her to her regular dr the next day for confirmation. She even let me look at it. Selah’s eardrum was a raggedy hole. Ugh! We added ear drops and they scheduled her with the ENT. It was scary because it happened so fast. She went from perfectly fine, to “oh my ear hurts a little,” to screaming in pain as her eardrum ruptured all in a manner of hours. Her dr said it just happens that way some time.
The ENT got her in quickly and said we’d just watch it, that they typically heal up on their own. Selah sighed and said “I’ve seen THREE doctors over this ONE ear!” Ha! We went back in a few weeks to the ENT for a recheck. Her eardrum was looking much better. The audiologist did a hearing screen, which she passed, so thankfully her hearing wasn’t damaged.
The dr did say it was unusual for ear infections to persist in an older child. She had two sets of tubes when she was younger. He thought maybe it was allergy issues so he started her on Zyrtec. I explained about Korban’s immune issues and that during our genetic workup they found out I was a carrier for immune deficieny. He thought it would be best to have Selah tested so over the summer Brad took her to the local hospital and they drew some blood to check. She did not love that whole process.
We went back to the ENT last week. Her ears looked great but the blood work showed that her iGA was low. He recommended we see an immunologist and referred her to the one Korban sees, whom we love. As it turned out, Korban was already scheduled for a checkup this week so they were able to add Selah on as a new patient and see both of them. Specialists hardly ever get somebody in that quickly so that was a big deal. Also, it’s about a 4 hour drive from our house so getting both kids seen the same day was a huge help.
That all happened last Thursday. On Saturday night Selah said “My mouth hurts.” I flipped my iPhone light on like a true Dr. Mama and shined it in her mouth. Her gum was all swollen up by one of her back teeth and looked red and painful. She said it had felt funny for a couple of days but it just started hurting. On Sunday Brad took her back to Express Care and got an antibiotic for her tooth, which was abscessed. I called her dentist first thing Monday and he wanted to see her on Thursday. They were able to do it at 9:00 in Oxford and then we would drive on to their immunology apt in Madison.
Brad took off work to help and we all got up early and headed to Oxford. Brad, Korban and Jet went to get gas while I took Selah in to her dental apt. They wound up having to pull her poor tooth but she did really well. She cried a lot afterwards when the feeling came back.
Look at that little face! I felt so bad for her. The dentist told me the roots broke off and he had to dig them out. When I was explaining this to Brad she overheard and said “What do you mean roots? I’m not a tree!” We cracked up. She settled down as we drove and was feeling much better by the time we got to Madison.
We love our immunologist and the kids were glad to see him. He comes in carrying a basket of treats. Korban picked a water gun and so did Selah. I guess she figured she’d need to defend herself.
Both kids did breathing tests. Korban couldn’t quite get the hang of it so we didn’t get test results for him. Selah did the test, took a breathing treatment, and then did the test again. She just needs a rescue inhaler because she wheezes when she gets exerted sometimes. Both kids also had to get blood drawn. Korban handles it like a pro now, which is probably a miracle. I can’t believe this is the same kid I used to have to sit on so they could get his IViG started. He went first to show Selah how it was done and she climbed up on the table beside him and held his hand.
Isn’t that the sweetest?
She was nervous for her blood work and cried a little. Brad asked if they had anything to numb it with and they had a cold spray. We called it “Elsa breath” and she thought that was hilarious. She didn’t want any of us to hold her hand while they drew her blood but she held her daddy’s elbow. She got her own style.
We were there for several hours but the boys were quite chill.
Selah was in a good mood despite all she’d been through.
After we finished the apt we went to eat at Chili’s. Selah had barely eaten anything all day but her mouth was feeling better and she ate really well.
Obviously.
We didn’t have time for a museum or anything fun, so I ran into Target to get them a treat off the clearance rack for being so good today. I do love a good Target. I found this gem for Selah:
No matter what kind of day you’re having, Star Wars always helps.
She also got a squishy toy and a Little Mermaid fidget spinner. I got 0 pics of Korban’s happy, but he got tiny keychain flashlights which made him so happy he vibrated, a squishy ball he wasn’t impressed with, and a Funko Pop Supreme Leader Snoke that I scored for $2.48. Selah said he was ugly and Korban absolutely loved it. Yay for Target clearance!
Selah’s a tough little cookie, animal expert, and the best sister ever. We should get our test results next week. Our little easy button could use your prayers and so could her big brother.
Melissa, Praying now for healing for Selah! Bless her little heart, and all of yours! Hugs..
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