Sick little boy

Today we found out our son is allergic to Penicillin.

He has had a throat infection which we were given antibiotics for a few days ago. Well on Monday, he had a slight rash, which turned into a large rash on Tuesday. I was treating him with anti-histamine and trying to figure out what was new in his diet/lifestyle that could have caused this rash.

It was a process of elimination. No new laundry liquid, soap, food, clothes, wipes, nappies or anything else we could think of - that was except for the antibiotics.

On Tuesday I tried to get into a Doctor - no such luck as it was a public holiday here. As my son was not crying, lethargic and was moving freely (ie. no neck stiffness) I was happy to wait another day, but I decided to cease the antibiotics. So, once again, I gave him some anti-histamine and took him to the Doctor today (Wednesday).

Well, it was as we thought. He is allergic to Penicillin and we must make sure he and anyone who treats him in the future is aware of this.

For anyone who does not know, an allergic reaction is the body having a 'hypersensitivity reaction' to a substance. The first time the body is exposed to such a substance, there may not be any signs and symptoms as the body may only create the antibodies to fight against the substance after the first exposure. With any subsequent exposures, the hypersensitivity reaction gets worse and worse each time until finally the reaction will be what is called an anaphylactic reaction. We wouldnt want things to go that far.

Sometimes a woman who is Rh-negative can have a Rh-positive baby once without any ill effects, but any subsequent Rh-positive babies will be at risk, as the mother's body has created antibodies against the Rh-factor and tries to destroy it - and unfortunately the baby with it. Fortunately, in this day and age, we have tests and can minimise or remove the antibody effect of this for mother and baby. Unfortunately, there is nothing for people who are allergic to Penicillin.

But we have found out, and at a young age. Now it is up to us to make sure he does not have the chance to have a higher-hypersensitivity reaction to Penicillin in the future.

After Christmas Hangover

Ha - it isnt that bad.

Our daughter slept until nearly 7am which was great as our son had us up until 2am. He has a throat infection and that, coupled with teething and wanting a cuddle, equalled a late night for us all.

My daughter's enjoyment of Christmas day made it all worthwhile. Each present was "just what she had wished for" and it was good to see such enjoyment on her face.

We went out for tea and both kids were just fantastic. I came home early with our son and my husband came home later with our daughter.

The next day, my daughter was quite sad that she has to wait a "whole year" for it all to happen again.

Now she is just relishing having all of these new toys to pick from and she also loves the trampoline that we have bought for them both.

Nearly Christmas

Well today I started some preparations for Christmas day. I took the turkey out of the freezer to start defrosting and worked out a time-planner for what I have to do and when on Christmas day.

We took the kids to the pool and I then brought our son home for his sleep while my husband stayed longer with out daughter. While they were not home, I took the presents out of our son's room (he is 11mths old and wouldnt know what the presents are) and hid them in ours.

I am very excited about Christmas. I can't wait until after my daugher is in bed tomorrow night, so I can get the presents ready to put under the tree. We will put them under the tree just before heading to bed, just in case she decides to get up for various trivial reasons before she falls asleep proper. We have also bought the kids a trampoline (I cringe as I think about the possible injuries) and that will be put up by my husband after they are asleep too.

When I was first married and without kids, I used to be bored on Christmas day. It was a day of visiting relatives and giving each other a token present. But with kids, it is excitement all over again. I love how my daughter is finally interested in Christmas. I tried to get her excited last year (3 years old) and she didn't really understand until she was unwrapping all of the presents. Then she began to see what it was all about. Then this year, she couldnt wait until the calendar was showing December, so she could see the 25th.

Great day.

First Post

Well - I have done it. Started a blog. I resisted, but finally decided on an outlet for my thoughts.

I could have written it in a journal, but chose this method instead.

And, away we go.

Today I picked up a CD to try-out for the University I attend.

It is a medication calculation CD they are going to sell to students, and they wanted people to test it out and try to find errors, crashes etc. So I have to try entering both the correct and incorrect answers and note down each step and what happens at those steps. Oh, and I am being paid as a research assistant to do so, which won't be alot, but it will be nice.

So I may not be heading quite so much into UU the next few days - haha, of course I will.