Memory 4. I debated about adding this memory. Between Riley's food allergies, asthma and other situations, I did not want his 13th birthday blogs to be full of gloom and doom. However, this is such a part of Riley's life that it just needed to be added.
Riley started having colds and ear infections at such a young age. It always took about 3 rounds of different antibiotics before the doctor was able to clear his ears of infection. I remember feeling so frustrated and so sorry for my sick little baby. I am thankful I did not know the road ahead. Riley was diagnosed with asthma before he turned one. We were very familiar with prednisolone, steroids, and breathing treatments. The emergency room visits became more and more frequent. The doctors could not get his asthma under control. They actually knew us at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital. We would walk in the doors and almost immediately be taken back to a room. They would soon start Riley's IV's and it took several of us to hold him down. He screaming broke my heart. We used to call it his "Buzz Lightyear," because the nurses would wrap it up so that he could not pull it out. He thought it looked like the laser on Buzz Lightyear's arm. After awhile, the novelty of the laser wore off, and as we would enter the hospital he would plead, "No Buzz Lightyear, Mama." Each time we went to Illinois to visit Mom and Dad we would end up at the ER, because the weather change would affect his sinuses and set off his asthma. It was a hard time for my boy.
By the time Riley turned 2 we had been admitted to the hospital several times. I always thought it was ironic how they would pump him full of steroids and breathing treatments and tell me to keep him as calm as possible. HA HA. My two year old, confined to a bed and many wires, and calm? We were up to 8 medicines a day ($$$) to keep his asthma in check, and our pediatrician finally said he did not know what else to do. He was unable to help us any longer, so he sent us to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. This was hard. Clark was trying to continue to work and Avery spent much time with Nana and Papa Presson. Riley went through more tests and doctors than I can remember, but we had such wonderful doctors that helped begin the slow journey of controlling his asthma.
I felt the Lord's presence with us so strongly during all of this time. So many were praying for us. Each time we would head off to the ER I would call my family in IL, and they would begin to pray. Many times, I could see a difference in Riley's breathing even before we would get to the hospital. Often, I would have to take him in the middle of the night and Clark would stay home with Avery. Many times I sat in the hospital room and did nothing but pray the oxygen numbers up and up and up until they would get into the 90's. And then, sit and cry when they leveled off and Riley's chest would stop heaving and begin to rise and fall normally. Sometimes it is good to go back and see how the Lord has walked with us through life's trials.
Sleep was only a dream during those years! :) One weekend, Clark was in Texas for a meeting and my in-laws were in North Carolina. Of course, Riley's asthma started to rattle in his chest. Avery, Riley, and I ended up at the ER on Friday night and back home in the wee hours Saturday morning. By Saturday night I was exhausted. I was determined to get a bath in between breathing treatments. I filled the tub and relaxed in the water. It was then I realized that I had also filled the tub with all of Avery and Riley's bath toys. I was so exhausted that I just left them floating in the water! I have laughed about that so many times. All I could think about was that I needed sleep, my husband, and my mom and dad!
I was diagnosed with cancer when Riley was almost 2. The night before I went in for my second surgery we were in the ER with Riley. He was limp in my arms from struggling to breath and the doctor told me that he was going to have to admit him. I begged him not to. It was midnight, and I was supposed to leave at 5:00 a.m. for the hospital in Memphis. He told us that if Riley's oxygen levels could reach 95 then he would send him home. That was one of the times that Clark and I prayed the numbers UP! I could not imagine being in one hospital and my baby being in another. Thankfully, the numbers went up, we were released! Nana took care of Riley at home, while MY mom took care of me in Memphis! God is so good!
Good news! Riley's asthma is better than it has ever been. We are down to only 3 meds which is GREAT for Fall! We still see the specialist every six months. Riley gets a bit frustrated because he is unable to pass the breathing tests without two breathing treatments each time. At his last appointment, his lower lungs were only working at 50%, but we are believing that they will be at 100% at our next one. The doctor is also considering taking him down to 2 meds which is also good news! I thank the Lord for how far he has brought Riley! I am so thankful that He never leaves us nor forsakes us, and as I look back I see that He has been with us every step of the way!
Sis. Presson, Thank you for sharing Riley's story (it brought me to tears). I had no idea! Although it may have seemed to you like a gloom and doom message, it spoke to my heart. It also made me thankful because doctors diagnosed Knox with Asthma and he has not had near the amount of trouble that Riley has had. When I pray for Knox throughout these cold months I'll be sure to keep Riley in my prayers too! Thank you for sharing!
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