We were told that the University would send us a letter with instructions as to how to get to the clinic. We already had a pretty good idea that it would be on the 2nd floor (since that's where we would go to visit Neela Waddell when she was hospitalized). We never did get the letter but a quick phone call to the hospital proved that we were in fact, right.
For the first time in Driscoll history we were actually early. Very early. Almost an hour early. It proved to be a sweet time. The four oldest Turkey Bottoms were with Miss Beckie which meant that Daddy, Mommy and Jack had close to an hour to ourselves... well, and the fifty or so other people waiting to be seen. Jack proved to be quite entertaining... true of his name Jack was Joyful.
A nurse, Jessica, took vitals almost as soon as we arrived. Jack weighs 24.8 lbs and has perfect blood pressure. He's also 31 inches tall at least we think that's what she said. And then she gave us a pager like you would get if you were waiting for a table at a restaurant and told us that we could wait in the waiting room.
Having an afternoon appointment at such a busy clinic can mean only one thing... you're not going to see the doctor on time. Fortunately Jack slept all the way to the hospital so he continued in great spirits while we waited.
At last we meet Dr. Richard Ahrens.
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| Dr. Ahrens, great dresser, fabulous doctor! :) |
Isn't he a nice looking man? He was also wearing super cool grayish green cords with a silver chain that I assume was attached to a pocket watch. And he had great slip-on milk chocolate shoes. You know all the qualifications that you want in a Pediatric Pulmonary Specialist! :)
Beyond that he's nice. He listened. It seemed like he trusted our observations. He also answered our questions. When I didn't understand what he was trying to explain, he explained it again without making me feel dumb. Love, love, loved it!!
He's a specialist in Cystic Fibrosis and other lung/pulmonary diseases. He didn't find it necessary to test Jack for Cystic Fibrosis! Love, love, love that! Instead he believes that Jack's symptoms are consistent with Asthma. Most likely Chronic Asthma. We will spend the next 3 months charting Jack's symptoms to make sure that his symptoms line up with Asthma. He also gave us a Vortex inhaler which means no more nebulizer treatments! It will take about a minute to give him relief instead of 30 minutes. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!
Also Dr. Ahrens also gave us a script for steroids. So when the inhaler isn't working we will have the steroids on hand. And if the steroids don't work after 5 days we know to have Jack seen by a doctor. No more guessing games. We also have a phone number for 24 hour help from a doctor at the clinic! Seriously, love it.
Oh, the relief of answers. And a plan. God be praised!
Praying that friends of ours will also find the answers they are looking for too...join me in praying for Wesley.
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