Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Suction Shack

No, it's not what you think. Sickos.

Meg has had a snotty nose since January 3rd. I know the day it started, because that is the day we all ended our holiday vacation bliss. The first day Meg was back at daycare she greeted me with a booger filled nose when I picked her up. Her first post-break gym and music classes just multiplied the problem. By the end of that week Ryan and I were armed with tissues at all times, all three of our bulb aspirators were continually in the dishwasher, we had bought enough Vicks products to have stock in the company, and Meg looked like she was sporting a bright red mustache because of all the wiping. We figured once all of the germs were once again acquainted with her body, the snot would stop.

We were wrong.

We went to the doctor. She said Meg just had a snotty nose.

Things continued to get worse and worse, despite our growing arsenal of defenses. In addition to the vapor rub, we added vapor baths and vapor steam at night. We started wiping hands and everything else down with sanitizer at every opportunity. We stopped using normal tissues for lotion ones, and began slathering Meg's face in Aquaphor so the skin would not end up peeling off.

I took Meg back to the doctor yesterday. The other parents in the waiting room looked at me like I had brought really gross napalm in the room. I understood, but having wiped her nose 3 seconds before, and knowing I was going to have to do it three seconds later, I figured they could cut me some slack.

This time the doctor had answers: Meg had an ear infection, as well as a mild case of bronchiolitis. She needed antibiotics, and a trip to the "suction shack." It took everything I had in me not to ask why she wanted me to take Meg to a gay bar. She got the last laugh though when she told me what it really was, and that I was going to have to take my baby -- MY BABY -- to the hospital to have her nose and chest sucked out.

I'm not even going to go into the panic I suffered in the next 24 hours. I worried about how it could scar her psychically if we did it, and that it could lead to pneumonia if we didn't. I called everyone we know to get a second opinion, and my Mom to get her opinions on all the opinions. I monitored everything coming out of Meg's nose, hoping it was decreasing. Then I noticed that while I focused on my suffering, I had forgotten about Meg's -- and the fact she needed this to end -- NOW. I called and made the appointment. Ryan, worried I might pas out, or punch someone, said he would meet us there.

Honestly, the worst part of the "suction shack" was the stupid sign on the door. Apparently "outpatient respiratory therapy" isn't cute enough, so handmade sign with it's nickname and a picture of a "Gilligan's Island" house adorns the door. I was not amused.

The treatment itself was really quick. A tube up the nose, suction, and done. Meg wasn't pleased, of course, but no more upset than when we use the bulb aspirator. The stuff that came out of her was really impressive. I mean, if you are into that kind of stuff.

Oh, and now? She can breathe. We've only wiped her nose once since then.

I don't know if I'm ready to give up the Vicks, though. I've really started liking the smell.

26 comments:

Bridget Callahan said...

I would like to know why the doctor never offers to send ME to the suction shack! I didn't even know that existed! Do you know how many weeks of my life I've spent contemplating rigging up the vacuum cleaner because it *seemed* like a good idea, and it turns out it is!

Babies have all the luck.

Amanda said...

Poor baby!
As she gets older, she will learn that things like that can result in at least half of Toys R Us.

Heather said...

I wish we had a suction shack! I've never heard of that. I'm sorry Meg is sick, it seems to be a trend right now. I'm with you, I like the smell of Vicks because it feels comforting. I also like the smell of A&D ointment (also v. handy for chappy areas like cheeks, lips, and noses).

Come on spring.

Samantha said...

I'm so glad you got satisfaction and that Meg is better.

And now I want my very own visit to the suction shack. I'm craving it, even.

jerrod said...

Sounds like a place that would do very well in massage parlors.

For shame, Libby. For shame.

Jen said...

So glad Meg is showing improvement from the procedure. Sick kids suck. But seriously? The Suction Shack?

Dual Mom said...

I've had three kids with varying states of colds over the years and I have NEVER heard of the suction shack! Wow, I feel like I've missed out on something! Glad to hear it worked for the cutie patootie!

Kim said...

Wow, who knew Utah was such an epicenter of cutting edge medical advances?

LL Cool Joe said...

I was going to say I've never heard of a Suction Shack, but that would be a lie. But I will say I've never heard of a hospital sucking out snot from a nostril.

Poor Meg.

Kelly said...

I think I could have used the Shack earlier in the week. Come to think of it, I'm still pretty hacky, but I think I'll stick with the codeine cough syrup.

I took your suggestion and added a little wine to the mix last night, and slept like a freaking baby...

BugginWord said...

Hey look at the fancy up in here! Pretty!

Hearing that diagnosis, my mom would have probably tried to shove a dustbuster in my nostril.

Leslie said...

Poor Meg, Poor you!! I hope things are slowly going back to normal at the logic house!

BeckEye said...

I agree with the others who wish they'd heard of the suction shack. Oh, but I mean the gay bar. You weren't kidding about that, right?

Wanna Bee said...

okay - I am a peds nurse and I have NEVER heard of sending a child to outpatient respiratory therapy to get suctioned!! What service! I am pleased to hear it was with good results.
A little vicks vaporub behind the ear is almost as good as the sweet smell of bengay.

Mandy_Fish said...

I think this will become the new thing and suction shacks will begin popping up around all of the nail salons.

Glad the little tiny girl is less cruddy!

Anonymous said...

There is nothing quite so beautiful as the exit of four metric tons of flowing mucus from your head.
This is from someone who did her time in the hospital this year with two pneumonia stricken children. I LOVE the suction shack.

Riot Kitty said...

Poor kiddo!

I'm impressed that you DID NOT make that joke. I don't have that kind of self control.

Anonymous said...

Poor Meg..... But I might want one of those Suction things....

Veronica Foale said...

I'd never even heard of a suction shack before this!

Glad she's feeling better.

Anonymous said...

I saw once one of those things in Spain, and frankly, I rather let MissAttitude going on with her snot decorating her lower face...Hope Little Meg get better!

Granny Annie said...

Glad you took her in for the suction. She is better but it will take a while for you to get over it. Oh the terror of those times with sick children. So hard on mommies.

Sandra said...

It's good that you went through the suction shack! I'm a nursing student, and in lecture we are often retold how quickly small babies can go into respiratory distress. And to think, a little tube snaked into her lungs can fix it all up. Good for you for being such a pro!

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Three Cats and a Baby said...

The suction shack is a creepy name.

Jayden had bronchiolitis too. I freaked out. He had to use a nebulizer for days. And I used that nosefrida suck thing, which is pretty gross, but it works.

I'm glad she is doing better!

littledwan said...

Suction Shack is the best! This is the 3rd year that our facility has had one. And it is my speciality! This time of year I bet we see half a dozen to a dozen babies in our clinic in a 12 hour shift. It can be quite upsetting the first time you see it done to your own child, but it works wonders! Plus, they forgive you by the time you get them back to the car because now they can breathe, eat and feel much better. I'm glad you went. It's a great service.

Daniel said...

Ack... I think I would've been a bit peeved at the first diagnosis. And maybe that's all it was from the start, but man that is rough... I'm sorry.