Tag: tonsillitis

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Family

Panadol’s Online Resources for Parents

As a mother to twin girls and a little boy I want to ensure that all my kids are healthy and well. I’m sure if you are a parent or help care for kids that would be what you would like too. However there are times when everyone gets sick. One child might have a cold, a fever, the flu or if it was like our ongoing saga with tonsillitis it effected both kids until they were removed (the girls have been well aside from the common cold and illness since the removal of their tonsils.)

Shelley Craft, Buddy Bear, myself (Suzanne), the girls and our little boy. What fun the kids had, although the baby was teething and still is. (He cheered up once he got some Children's Panadol to make him feel better)
Shelley Craft, Buddy Bear, myself (Suzanne), the girls and our little boy. What fun the kids had, although the baby was teething and still is. (He cheered up once he got some Children’s Panadol to make him feel better)

When your little ones get sick you do your best to make them feel better. It could be cuddles, songs, yummy food, and favourite shows and of course some medicine to help your kids feel more like themselves and allow the body to get better, rest is best so that you can be well.

No matter how simple or common the sickness is you cannot help but worry about your children. When my kids are sick I am worried about them all the time.

Last Thursday the kids and I went to learn about Children’s Panadol (The kids were excited to meet Shelley Craft. Yes I watch The Block and therefore so do the kids) great new online resources to help parents care for sick kids and to also alleviate the anxiety that can go with sickness.

Shelley Craft from the Block and Dr Kimberley O’Brien who is the founder of Quirky Kid Clinic and also an expert in child development and mental health. Both Shelley Craft and Dr O’Brien spoke about how to have planning strategies to help parents deal with stress and anxiety when children get ill as it can be HUGE help for parents and children as well.

This talk was in response to a “new global survey of parents, including Australians, suggests that parents manage day to day mishaps and mistakes calmly, but still get stressed about the important things like helping their children through illness”

“71% of Australian parents fell anxious about fever/temperature and 66% feel anxious about their child’s pain”

Children’s Panadol have created the following tools to help support parents in managing their child’s health:

  1. Buddy Bear is an interactive animated website that allows parents to entertain children when they are sick. It is a good idea to create the different files before you need them as you can save them to your device. Once you are on the site you are asked if your child is a boy/girl. Then fill in age, email and add photo and your video will be emailed to you when it is ready. Get organised and download a few so you have them ready.
    While your child is watching Buddy Bear you can get the dosage of Children’s Panadol correct and not be so flustered and anxious.

    Buddy Bear - The great new interactive way to keep your little one entertained while you get the medicine sorted to help your child get better. Developed and created by Children's Panadol.
    Buddy Bear – The great new interactive way to keep your little one entertained while you get the medicine sorted to help your child get better. Developed and created by Children’s Panadol.
  1. The First Five Years Book – This fabulous resource is written by child health nurses to help parents with practical tips and tricks to help them understand the ups and downs from birth to 5 years old, help you enjoy being a parent, learn about major milestones, understand activities that your baby might be doing. You can read it online or download it.
  2. Bub Tracker App – This is a FREE App that helps new parents with advice on dosage for medicines, feeding tracker, feeding log and much more.“Parents do not sweat the small stuff, but worry more about the illness cause, recovery and prevention – especially mothers”
Children's Panadol Bub Tracker App - Great guide for parents
Children’s Panadol Bub Tracker App – Great guide for parents

I hate it when kids are sick. I wish I could make it all go away.  I also hate when I get sick, yes if kids get ill, I end up sick too! Perils of motherhood.

 

The tools from Panadol are a HUGE help to make it a little easier on parents and also kids. I have downloaded some of buddy bear’s interactive videos in preparation for Alexander.

Dr Kimberley O’Brien has 5 tips to help manage anxiety and soothe your sick child/children:

  1. Make a Plan. Having a plan removes second guessing yourself and the worry. Make sure that you include distraction and calming tools if medication is required.
  2. Know your tools. Have a favourite toy/book/game to help comfort your child. A personalised DVD that the child will be happy to watch would be of great help.
  3. Empathise. Try and see the situation from your child’s point of view and this can give you some insight into their behaviour.
  4. Do familiar things. If you can make sure you stick to your regular family routine. This will create a sense of normality at home and allow everyone to be more relaxed.
  5. Manage your anxiety. Call on your support network for help. You need a break if you are the only one caring for a sick child, a break will allow you to increase your quality of care and not get burnt out in the process.

 

“They are less concerned with diet, medication usage or what they are doing wrong – though parents of younger children worry more.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly parents of children aged 6-12 are not as ‘extremely ’anxious”

Teething and very upset. Mummy cuddles are very helpful. Photo taken in a darken room due to sleeping baby. Yes did not want to wake him.
Teething and very upset. Mummy cuddles are very helpful. Photo taken in a darken room due to sleeping baby. Yes did not want to wake him.

What are your thoughts on making a plan to be ready for sick kids? Well you are not planning on having sick kids, just how to deal with it.

I love the Buddy Bear videos and the bear is so magical to watch. You could sit for hours just being amazed at how cute and wonderful the bear is. Kids will love this as much as adults do. Give it a go, download and save some videos just in case you need them. Also check out the other online resources from Children’s Panadol.

Disclaimer: I went along to the media briefing about Children’s Panadol to learn ways parents can be less anxious and to hear about techniques that can help children when sick. I have had many times when the twins were ill, they then got me ill and now with a baby it will all happen again (Currently Alexander has a cold and is also teething. Joyousness it is not!). I think that the online resources that Children’s Panadol showcased are excellent, not only are they FREE, they are highly informative as well. Thanks to Children’s Panadol for the invite and allowing the kids and I to learn more about your online tools.

 

Categories
5 years and beyond

T Day is Tomorrow

For those that don’t know the T in the title of this post stands for tonsils. The twins are going to hospital to get them out. Yes both kids are getting it done. 2013 has been the year of the tonsils and I am hoping that 2014 will be the year of health and fitness.

As you can see the Year of the Tonsils has not been celebrated, it really was a year to get annoyed and frustrated that again someone got tonsillitis. Having tonsillitis with one child is not as bad as you might think, and they get over it. If you have two kids one gets it then gives it to her sister and so on. A full year of gift giving tonsillitis to each other. As you might imagine it is not a joy to behold, and constant trips to the doctors where now when I ring, they say, “Oh it’s the twins!” I don’t know if it is a good thing to be so recognised at the doctors, what do you think?

Tomorrow is T Day, Tonsillectomy Day, or Ta Ta to the Tonsils. The kids I have been told will be in separate rooms. Not good but that is the way the rooms at this hospital is set up. Hubby has the day off tomorrow but cannot stay the night due to work the next day. I will stay and be there for the girls in case they wake or need a cuddle and reassurance.

When I called to check how me staying over works I also asked what they will feed them after surgery. I was then told it would be toast. I said, “Toast! Why would you feed them that! You do know what surgery they have just had. There throat will be red raw!”

The lady on the phone said that they give them toast so that if they do bleed or have a complication they have it at the hospital. Oh great. My already fussy or should I say extremely fussy eaters will be offered toast after surgery. I’m sure that will not end well.

I’m packing a cool bag with soft cheese, yoghurt and other things that they might be more inclined to eat. I also asked why they did not feed them jelly or ice cream, and was then told that they have not done this in years. Geez, way to make me feel old!

I am very worried and nervous about the whole thing. I hope that tomorrow goes well and the girls don’t get too upset. I hope that all goes well with the operation and they recover quickly. I’m sure they will be fine, however as mummy I am stressing out as I know what they are in for. I had my tonsils out when I was three and it hurt. However it did not cause an issue and I don’t remember it taking that long to heal. My dad was a joker at the time and decided to try and get me to talk. I had to write things down and to not speak. This made mum get annoyed at him and he just laughed. This is one great memory I have of my father, being silly when I was sick.

Wish me luck that all goes well. We all have to be at the hospital for 7am so an early start for everyone. I hope to be online tomorrow but if I am silent I will be at the hospital with the kids. Talk soon.

Categories
5 years and beyond

Tonsils Your Days Are Numbered!

Blood Test. Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Blood Test. Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yesterday I had to take the twins to get blood taken. Yes you heard that right. I had to get needles in kids to get blood out of them. Not fun and of course I was not looking forward to it at all.

The one child that I thought would have an issue with it all did not. The child that I thought would be okay, was a mess and very upset.  The first child sat with me and was very brave and did not cry at all. I was so impressed about my brave little girl. Then the next child’s turn. She sat on my lap also and she was fighting to take off the band that tightens your arm. She kept on saying,”Take it off me, it hurts me”, “Please stop it hurts!” It was hard to get her to stay still and I was constantly trying to get her right arm under control. What a tough strong girl I have created! My poor little one I really felt for her but we needed to get the blood taken. The blood tests are important so that the doctor knows what the kids would need in case of an emergency.

The kid that was super tough stood there and watched her sister and was fascinated by the needle and the blood that was fed into the test tube. Future doctor me thinks. Well you never know. Maybe a scientist?

After a while the nurses took off the arm band that was making her arm uncomfortable. She then said, “This is FUN!”, the nurse then said she was a funny little girl. She giggled and was a brave little one for managing to be good and get it all done. I hated getting it done but next Monday the 20th of January the girls are going into get their tonsils out. Yes! Let’s hope that once this is done that we will be done with the constant sickness we were plagued with in 2013. Mainly we spent all year dealing with tonsillitis.  I hope to banish this in 2014. Tonsils be gone and the same with tonsillitis. NO MORE!

The girls were very lucky. The lovely ladies at the pathology, gave them a bravery award, stickers to put on the award, and of course a teddy that they each picked out. I was so proud on how they did when they got their blood taken I bought them a Dora doll. This doll now is the current obsession, the doll is the one that the kids can style Dora’s hair. It came with brush and of course the kids have brushed it so many times I am amazed it still has hair.

I am super impressed with my brave strong girls. I am rather nervous about the whole thing, although I know it will be fine.  The kids need to stay in overnight and I would like to be there for them in case they get up during the night. Hubby feels like them being there overnight will be fine. I don’t want them to freak out if they wake up. I know there will be nurses but they might want mummy, so that is the reason that I would like to be there for them.

Have you stayed in hospital when your child/children have had an operation? Did you go home to sleep or stayed at the hospital for your little one? Am I being over protective? I don’t think I care, I think it would be nice for me to be there to make them feel better about the whole thing. What about you?

Let me know your thoughts.

 

Categories
5 years and beyond

Fairy Doctor Specialist

I want to be a specialist Fairy Doctor. Image courtesy of smokedsalmon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I want to be a specialist Fairy Doctor. Image courtesy of smokedsalmon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yesterday we had our appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist. This is due to the fact that the twins have constantly had tonsillitis all year, and their tonsils are still large especially Lillian’s. It is not good and can lead to problems, sleeping, breathing and swallowing.

As you can imagine being ill with the same thing all year meant constantly being on antibiotics. Having to have to be on medication all the time makes your body build an immunity to it, and not allow the antibiotics to zap the infection correctly. I think due to having it so many times the medicine does not help us much anymore.

I think the girls need to get their tonsils out and the doctor confirmed this. He believes it is the best way forward and I was grateful that he wants to remove them. Doctors now don’t seem to want to remove tonsils so I was ready for a fight and an argument on this issue. I was taken back that he instantly saw they needed to go. He must think they look terrible and can see issues with the twins keeping them. Or in hindsight need more money? I’m not sure, as the kids tonsils do look terrible!

We were not at the doctors for more than 15mins and then ended up at reception to pay the bill. I was told over the phone that the cost for the consultation was going to be $200 and I will get about $70 back on Medicare. When asked what I owed and expected to hear $200, I was then told $400!

I then said, “What, Why is it $400! I was told $200”. It was then explained that $200 is for each child’s consultation. So it is $400. Gosh, not in the doctor’s office for 15mins and already spent $400! I did get about $70 back on each consult but it is still a lot of money to spend!

I grumbled all the way to the car and the girls asked why I was so upset. When in the car Julia asked what the issue was. I explained that it was very expensive although it needed to happen. I then explained that this doctor must earn so much per hour. If he charged us $400 for about 10mins or about 15mins and every appointment is $200 that is a great hourly rate! Why did I not become a doctor? It might have something to do with not being great at science, maths and squeamish about blood and things like this.

I felt ambushed on costs especially when I was told it would be $200 and the fact that we did not have a long appointment. Not much happened other than him looking at their nose, throat and ears. He of course asked about things, are they allergic, did they have sore ears and so on.  I am not sure how other ear, nose and throat specialists conduct their practice but it did feel like it was get you out quickly so to see a new patient. Before we had our appointment there was young girl with her father there and they were in his office for less than 10mins. Would that have cost them $200? I think so! I am in the wrong business.

I explained that if Julia and Lillian wanted to be something that specialising is the way to go. They can charge more for their time and knowledge. Julia then announced that she wanted to be a “Fairy Doctor Specialist”. I don’t know if you know but she wants to be everything in the world and of course will be very busy with this job list. However ever since she was about 1 or 2 she has told us she wants to be a Fairy Doctor. This doctor will fly and help fairies get better.

After Julia’s announcement about being a Fairy Doctor Specialist, Lillian told me that she is going to be Pussy Cat Doctor Specialist. She is going to be a Vet who is a specialist.

Julia then said it is wrong that the doctor has our money and she needs to get more money! We need to get our money she said. I told her and Lillian that this was the doctors’ fees and some people charge a lot and some don’t. I also explained that we needed to see this doctor to make sure that we got their tonsils looked at and a recommendation for possible surgery.

Although it was expensive it was a needed appointment and I was lucky that we got in a reasonable time. The doctor said that if we go private we can get in next year before kids start Kindy. That would be ideal but I don’t know if we can afford it. I need to look at costs. Maybe it will be the public system, I am not sure. Monday I will ring the doctor’s practice to get more detailed costs so that we can make a decision.

Have you had to organise for your kids or child to get their tonsils removed? I had mine out when I was 3. I was a child that always got ill and was constantly on antibiotics and it is the same for the twins. Now that the process has started I am worried about the whole thing. I know it needs to happen but deciding to book your children into surgery is a worry, I now am worrying about the whole thing.

Do you do this or is it just me? Send in your comments.

Categories
5 years and beyond

The Tonsillitis Curse

I think we are cursed to have tonsillitis. The twins have had it off and on all year and of course they have it again. I know some people are more prone to it than others and I think that is true with us.

I don’t have my tonsils and they were removed when I was three. Hubby does not have his and they were taken out when he was about five. The kids grandad on hubby’s side does not have his, and my Nana the kids GG (Great Grandmother) does not have hers. So maybe it is genetic that we cannot deal with infections with the tonsils.

So I think the genes are stacked against the twins and they have lost out in the lottery of who can deal with tonsil infections and those that cannot.

If you look at it from a hereditary perspective, I brought 50% of the genes that cannot deal with infections with tonsils and hubby had the missing 50% that still cannot help with infections with tonsils. So that gives the kids 100% capacity to get sick at anything that is thrown at the poor tonsil. I say poor as it is constantly getting sick!

I don’t know why I say poor tonsils, it should be more like poor kids or poor mummy! Mummy has to deal with looking after the sick and unhappy and still try not to get sick herself. This is a hard battle to face and to slog it out without getting hit from disease is even harder. More times than I would like to count I have been ill! This year has been a slog in the battle fields of the evil tonsillitis! I don’t want it to rear its ugly head here ever again.

So in an effort to rid the house and part of the planet of sickness, I have booked the twins in to see a specialist. An ear, nose and throat specialist.  It was not one doctors surgery that has recommended they have their tonsils out, it has been two. The appointment is in December and keen to see what this expert has to say. Crossing fingers he can work his magic and make kids well and they will never suffer the repeated abuse this tonsillitis dishes out!

Have you been a slave to tonsillitis? Do your kids repeatly get sick? Do you find that you are getting ill as well? I do hope that the doctor says that kids are candiates to get their tonsils out, and if so he can do them both at the same time. I am worried that one will freak out while waiting for the other and then not want to do it. From my perspective and theirs best to have it all done at the same time. Not sure on how that would work from the doctors and hosptials end but will see what the outcome of the appontment in December is.
Have your kids had their tonsils removed? Has it helped them? Have they been much better without them? Let me know.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Off to Sand and Sea

I’m a very lucky lady indeed. I was fortunate to win a blogging competition and thanks to 1stAvailable.com.au we are all off to the Gold Coast for a family holiday. Well, part of it is a holiday and the other part is that I am finally attending Problogger 2013, yes my first and much anticipated blogging conference. I cannot wait!

The twins have been on a plane before but don’t remember due to being three months old at the time. This time they will remember and enjoy the whole experience. While at the Gold Coast my little girls will be turning five and they are super excited to be going to the beach for their birthday. Yes what a great mummy I am….well I am taking the thanks for this one, why not, right?

Do your kids jet off for holidays? Have they been well behaved on planes or has it been a bad experience. Flying to the Gold Coast is a small flight and we will only be in the air for about an hour and half. It will not be like we are flying to America or any other greater distance, so at least that is a plus.

I am keen to see how they like the airport, the plane and the whole experience. Do you have tips and tricks to help travelling with kids? Why not send them in. Many families have planned or are about to plan their summer travels so it might be a good time to find out some key things to do or to not do.

Excitement at our house is growing day by day. Our tickets for travel have been booked, accommodation sorted, and car organised. Now need to make sure that I have adequate professional clothing for the conference and nice summer gear for all to maximise our time in sunny Queensland.

Any advice for what to wear at a blogging conference send them in. I am aiming for professional but casual, also it needs to be comfortable and something that has natural fabric so does not heat up too much. Maybe a dress, or something simple so that I can just slip it on.

As a former Queenslander I am keen to be on a beach in the sun and to just relax for a bit. Bring it on.   Currently the Blue Mountains is very cold, windy and just icy so a warm climate would be welcome and luxury.

One glitch that has reared its head is sickness. I am ill and now have one child sick with tonsillitis again…let’s hope that the other does not get ill. We only have two weeks to be all better before we jet off. So off to the doctors for sick kid today and to make sure that we all stay well for the weeks ahead. Crossing fingers and toes that we all o.k for our trip.

Have you planned your summer holidays yet? If so are you getting excited about it? My girls are telling everyone and are so happy that we are off somewhere different.

Categories
4 years and beyond

Comfort Food

One of my girls has been ill. Tonsillitis again! Not good at all. I have had the fevers, crying and upsets all weekend and of course yesterday. Yesterday was Monday and she should have been in pre-school, however she was being comforted by yours truly. Hugs, cuddles, and kisses were in order.

I got an appointment at the doctors and she is now on antibiotics and last night did not have a fever. Today seems much better, as she is running and telling jokes. The doctor said that once she does not have a temperature she should be fine for school, so with that advice both kids are at pre-school today, and I am one happy mummy.

It is good that she is on the mend and becoming her old self. One thing that surprised me was that this child has had tonsillitis four times in the last six months. The doctor I saw was new, but he suggested this was not good and gave me a referral to a surgeon so that she can get them removed. I did explain that I got mine out when I was three, my husband does not have his nor does the girls grandfather. Could be a family thing.

We might see how it goes…not sure but she might need to have them out in the future.  She did not like hearing this. I ended up calming her down and told her that it will all be o.k.

While looking after my unwell little girl, it got me thinking… What is the food that gives you comfort when you are unwell? My mum used to make me Vegemite toast and a glass of Milo to make me feel better. If not toast, a jaffle or pressed sandwich with cheese and Vegemite. When I am unwell or not feeling the best I go back to that food.

My little girl ended up eating Weet-Bix as I think it was easier on her throat. Also as she was sick she was not that hungry so it was best to feed her something.

What are your kids favourite comfort foods? What are yours?

Categories
3 years and beyond Pre-School University Study

The snot fairy

The snot fairy is upon us and I wish she/he would go away. Lillian has invented the snot fairy to the great delight of mummy and daddy and now the doctor who we saw yesterday.  I suppose she thinks there is a tooth fairy, a sleep fairy who adds sleep to her eyes and makes her sleep (my invention), so why shouldn’t there be a snot fairy? The doctor was also taken with Julia saying that she wanted to be a fairy doctor when she grows up. Julia pointed out very clearly that she is not one now; she will be one when she is grown.  Not sure what the doctor thought of the kids, other than they are very creative.

It is not fun when the snot fairy strikes.
It is not fun when the snot fairy strikes.

The upshot is that Julia and I have a virus and will go eventually, and Lillian has tonsillitis. I did not expect Lillian to have this, but thought she was not looking well. So I have antibiotics for Lillian and started it last night. I was keen to make sure they were well for school today, but realised that they needed to stay home. So I have kids again today to hopefully get them better for maybe tomorrow or at the worst next week for the last week of school before Easter.

I think I might have the kids all week, which is not good when I have an assignment due soon. I need to have time to work on it and currently nothing has happened due to kids and me being ill, I will contact the lecturer to get an extension on this assignment, hopefully this will help.

Last night Lillian was tossing and turning, she was crying and upset in Julia’s bed. I took her and moved her back to her bed, and got her settled. She was sick, very tired and not able to go to sleep. She kept on hugging me, holding my hand and wanting me to stay. I wanted to stay until she was asleep, although every time she was nearly asleep she cried like there was something wrong and in pain. I raced off to get some painkillers for her and once given, she cuddled up and fell fast asleep.

Currently my sick little girls are watching play school and playing with pink play dough that I made yesterday. They are now making dinosaurs and singing along to the songs.  I have asked Lillian to draw the snot fairy as something to do, however now all other things are getting drawn other than the snot fairy. If I get a drawing I will upload to this post.

Not much you can do when the snot fairy strikes. What do you do when your kids are sick? Or you are ill? I have made sure the girls are having their vitamins, panadol, vicks and have added eucalyptus oil to their clothes to help them breathe; do you have any tips to help sick little people?