I love technology.
You may immediately think I am referring to an iphone, my obsession with Twitter or the use of email, texting and the like for seamless accessibility.
No, not today. Not this post.
It all started few days ago when my son began showing the usual signs of seasonal allergies. He had the typical watery eyes, runny nose and mild cough. We keep these symptoms under control with allergy meds that seem to work really well for him. But late one evening his eyes became swollen shut and things quickly went from bad to worse…
What started out as a mild cough my son started to get short of breath and he soon complained that he had tightness in his chest. It was difficult for him to even pick up his toys because he lacked energy. Any physical movement appeared like a monumental task. And then I heard it. I heard the wheeze and I knew it was here.
My son was having an asthma attack.
I immediately ran into the bedroom and grabbed his nebulizer {which uses compressed air to deliver medicine through a mist that can be inhaled}. I brought down the “fun machine” and nervously poured his meds into the bottom of the holder. I sat my son down on a chair and handed him the mouthpiece and with a press of a button he began to get instant relief.
When I look at my son in this situation who has used a nebulizer (on an as-needed basis) since he was 8 weeks old, I think of my own mother now that I am a mom. When I was my son’s age at home showing the signs of an attack my mother didn’t have a nebulizer. The only thing she had was a set of car keys and lots of prayers.
She would wrap my body in a blanket and put me in the arms of my older brother in the back of our old station wagon. My brother kept pillows propped beneath my head and tried to make me laugh while my mother asked every ten seconds if I was ok as she drove like the speed of lightening to the hospital.
These were the times that my lips turned blue and my body was cold. My brother would continue telling my mother that I didn’t look good because I couldn’t breathe.
He was scared.
I was scared.
My mother was petrified.
Upon arrival, she would carry my little body directly into the ER pleading for immediate assistance. I would be put on a stretcher and wheeled to a room where I was immediately given adrenaline and a face mask of oxygen. I would sleep numerous nights in what looked like a huge tent surrounding the hospital bed as my mother held my hand and never left my side.
Now staring into the eyes of my own son as the mist from the nebulizer reaches his mouth and into his lungs I can only imagine the sheer panic and fear my mother endured, doing the best she could in the late 70’s with technology that was non-existent.
So why do I love technology? Because I have a nebulizer that provides my child with breath – which provides me with peace of mind. Yes, I love technology.
And mom, I love you.
On the train heading to work and crying reading this. I can’t even imagine the fear your Mom must have felt. How awful, but yes technology is amazing.
Sadie at heyMamas
.-= heyMamas´s last blog ..Mama’s Bits: What must be happening here? =-.
Wow this post hits so close to home for me. Well, not for me, but for my husband. We are very lucky that my son has not shown any severe symptoms yet, but my husband suffered extreme asthma attacks as a child as well. I don’t think a holiday goes by where we don’t hear a story that starts with “Do you remember that (insert holiday here) that we rushed Brian to the hospital….” Scary. Definitely scary. I love technology for this reason as well. I am glad you had the ability to help your son out immediately!
Great post as usual
.-= Beth @ Laugh Until You Cry´s last blog ..A Great, Big Thank You! =-.
We take so many things for granted, don’t we? Thanks for the reminder of all the blessings we have.
I’m glad you were able to help your son right away. It hurts our mama hearts so to see them suffer — and it’s so scary! It reminds us that life is fragile, and we should treasure every moment.
.-= GlowinGirl´s last blog ..The Difference Between Sugars and Tails =-.
I agree, these are the reminders that we have to be thankful for each and every day – as well as what we have.
Wow…that brought tears to my eyes. We are so lucky…
That story about the car ride gave me goose bumps! I would have been freaking out!!!
It is amazing how far things have come and it is hard to imagine how in the world our moms did back in the day when there were no computers, cell phones, ipods, etc… But they did it! And they did it very well! But we are so lucky to have the advancements that we have now especially when it comes to our kids health and safety.
.-= This Mama Works It!´s last blog ..Ebay Seller Spotlight Series ~ Frantic Mommy ~ An Amazing Ebay Selling Mom! =-.
I’m right there with you Theta Mom on medical technology. My husband and I absolutely adore our 4 yo’s glucometer. It has saved him from many a crisis and averted many a hospitalization.
So glad your son does well with his treatments!
.-= Daily Coping Skills´s last blog ..Avoidance Techniques =-.
I am so happy that he is ok!! That must’ve been so scary for you. My son was just diagnosed with allergy induced asthma, but he just has an inhaler, so your son has it much worse.
You are SO right about technology. I can’t even imagine having to rely on medicine from the 70s!! Our poor parents.
Wow, I can’t begin to imagine what your mom must have felt! So scary! Thank God for technology!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..5 love signs – touch, time, service, affirmation, gifts. But what about clothes? =-.
It’s amazing how technology can be used to help us so many situations. It’s up to us to use it wisely so we can continue to have great successes like this! I know that having the ability to use an inhaler is something I appreciate, I can’t imagine what it must have been like before they were invented.
Glad your son is OK
.-= beth aka confusedhomemaker´s last blog ..Esme Chair =-.
I know EXACTLY what you mean!
You are so right. My son also has had to use a nebulizer several times due to allergies. It is indeed something that we should not take for granted. When I think of technology I immediately cringe because I am so behind and overwhlemed, but it is also a blessing in our lives in so many ways. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve soo been in that back seat of the car going to the E.R. growing up in the ’70’s like you. Luckily, neither of my kids has asthma, just seasonal allergies.
But we are so blessed having such technology at our fingertips. Glad your boy is doing okay!
It’s moments like this that make me feel so glad to be living in 2010.
Our nebulizer has sat in the drawer since we left California. Amazing that we have not had to use it once since settling here. (When you consider I was on strict orders to use it on my girl at the slightest cough!) So glad you have the nebulizer!
.-= Sheri´s last blog ..3D chalk =-.
What a wonderful reason to love technology. I have to agree with you. Thankfully, Buddy’s asthma is not that bad. He has it, but we haven’t gotten to that terrifying point with him. Thank goodness.
I’m glad your son is okay.
.-= Kmama´s last blog ..A Winner and a New Giveaway: Corel Digital Studio 2010 =-.
My daughter has asthma too, and that nebulizer is such a blessing. I can’t imagine what our parents went through, having to rush to the ER everytime an asthma attack happened. I know I get so nervous even with having a nebulizer, I can’t imagine not having one and feeling that you can’t control what’s happening to your child.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..♥Monday Minute – Sex Edition =-.
Oh mama, such a terrifying experience! We experienced pneumonia with my daughter, and a few months later, RSV- all before her first birthday! The times she struggled to breathe were horrible. A great twist of technology? As she was needing treatments every couple of hours, we were moving and had 14 hour drive. We had a car adapter for her nebulizer! How great is that?? I remember thinking wow, if that just doesn’t beat it all..
Great post, and I’m right there with you. I can’t imagine the lack of medical technology we have today.
.-= Ashley @ Just Another Mom of 2´s last blog ..Post It Note Tuesday =-.
A car adapter, how awesome!
Gosh it is so true isnt it! I am so thankful for all the medical technology that is available too!!
Hope your son feels better ♥
.-= Accustomed Chaos´s last blog ..Product Review: King Arthur Flour Pizza Crust Mix =-.
Technology is amazing. I think of things that people used to die from that today is nothing but an inconvenience…although I do like my iphone and twitter, also!
.-= A Mother’s Hood´s last blog ..Yankee Doodle is Going to London =-.
we so often think of the bad things technology has done to us (tv rotting our childrens brains, computers and cellphones consuming our lives) and its nice to think about all the good it has served us.
And its true. You never really are grateful for your parents until you have kids of your own.
Great post.
Alysha
I totally agree Alysha – Now that I am a mom, I think about all the worry and fear my mom experienced. Makes me appreciate her so much more!
I think we all take for granted the medical advances due to technology. I am so thankful you were always ok after your own attacks and that you do not have to go through those same actions like your mother. Your son is blessed to have you as a mom, who recognizes the symptoms and moves quickly to help him.
.-= Italian Mama Chef´s last blog ..Green thumb or black? =-.
My husband was the same. He suffered from asthma too, and he almost died with it a couple of times. (One time, he was staying with his Granny, who didn’t really know enough about asthma to read the signs. She thought he was just pining for his mum!)
Yep – I’m all for technology too. 😉
.-= Jodie at Mummy Mayhem´s last blog ..Why I Am So Thankful Today =-.
Can’t agree more! Our generation is lucky. We have developed technology.
I’m glad your son is ok!
.-= yonca´s last blog ..Singing all the way home! =-.
Wow, that’s unbelievable. I couldn’t even imagine being you in that situation let alone your MOM. I’m due to give birth in 7 weeks and I keep thinking of all the women hundreds of years ago with nothing. They had to deal with breach babies, babies with the cords wrapped around the neck – all kinds of issues that they couldn’t diagnose or do anything for except just push.
It’s amazing how far we’ve come, and I really am thankful for, well, MOST of it!
.-= Blahggy.com´s last blog ..33 Weeks of Pregadise =-.
We have definitely come a long way. I’m always thinking how our parents got by without cell phones and all these luxuries we are now given. Growing up, our town didn’t even have 9-1-1 and the closest hospital was an hour away. I can’t even imagine that now. I hope your son is feeling better. Even with a nebulizer, I’m sure it was still scary.
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Through Ethan’s Eyes =-.
The things we Moms have to face! That sounds horrible, but thank goodness for technology. There is definitely a place for modern medicine, and I’m so thankful for it too. It gives me peace of mind. Your poor mother! That would be so scary to feel like you have no control.
.-= Gerber Days´s last blog ..Lunch date in the city! =-.
Your poor Mum…can’t imagine having to go through that panic with Chick! It does make you grateful for the things we take for granted doesn’t it!!
.-= Emma´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Spring =-.
When my little one is sick, I often think about the same things. Not of the nebulizer because thank God he doesn’t have to have that but even just simple things like a digital thermometer. We sacrifice, work hard and take care of our children the best we can but technology has made it so much easier for us.
Exactly. I don’t know how our parents did what they did!
I know what you mean! That was me as a little kid, too. And every time I open the Saran Wrap box, I’m taken back to my time under the tent! I’ve had a few scary situations with my girls (one time with an ambulance call because she stopped breathing after hitting her head). You don’t know true fear until you are a parent.
.-= A Belle, A Bean & A Chicago Dog´s last blog ..Take-A-Tour Thursday, Stop 8 =-.
Heather, it is very scary, isn’t it? 2 of my sons have asthma and we use a nebulizer on an as-needed basis too and I can tell immediately with the first sign of troublesome breathing that it’s time to break it out again. Thank goodness we have things like this that we can do to bring our children instant relief. Your mom must have been scared out of her wits each time it happened to you.
Glad to hear your son is okay!
.-= Helene´s last blog ..My mother versus the mother I have become… =-.
Every time you write about your son’s allergies or asthma, my heart skips a beat. I can only imagine the fear that you endure every time something like this happens. But you keep your cool and always manage to think clearly and get your son the help he needs. He is very lucky to have you as a mom!
.-= Sophia’s Mom´s last blog ..Mom Like Me? : The Pursuit of A Role Model =-.
Great post on putting things in perspective. I appreciate good technology and its uses in responsible ways, and I’m always excited at the prospect of some really great new technology that will save lives or provide services/resources to improve our lives on the horizon.
.-= Aine´s last blog ..The Road to Recovery: Step Six =-.
Your story gave me shivers. I’m glad you have such a easier way to help your son now. God bless your mom and what she had to endure! Your brother too, what a good big brother.
It’s amazing what is now made available to us, isn’t it? I was hospitalized quite a few times as a child and only have bits and pieces of memories from these times, like the tent that I laid under for all of those days and the touch of my mom’s hand – how she must have felt to watch me like that. We have come such a long way and I just feel so lucky to be able to give my son relief.
There are so many conveniences in life that technology facilitates. But when it comes right down to it…. it’s the things like this that mean the most, not the ipods and cameras and gps gadgets.
Such a very touching post. I’m very glad your son’s okay.
.-= Gilliauna´s last blog ..$20.00 Store Credit Giveaway =-.
How scary! Glad he is ok and you were able to find peace of mind with treatment!!
.-= Complicated Mama´s last blog ..Uh.. Coach? This is T-ball not the Pros =-.
I too have asthma and remember a particularly frightening ride to the hospital as a teenager. Thankfully my kids have not shown any serious signs, although we still have the puffer on hand. I often am thankful that I live in a country where these things are there for me. I wonder about all those moms in India and Africa who do not. As a mom I can’t imagine. Some mother is out there right now, desperate for help. It just doesn’t seem fair.
Dana
.-= Bungalow’56´s last blog ..Spring Had Sprung….Just Not Where I Was Looking. =-.
Your comment really touched me Dana. I think the same kind of things, too. How blessed we are to live in a country where not only am I able to afford this kind of modern medicine, but that is made AVAILABLE to me.
I know this sounds crazy, but it reminds me of Katrina – I was 3 weeks away from giving birth to my first child when Katrina hit and I remember seeing the images in the media of women who couldn’t feed their own children or of pregnant women who were sleeping on the concrete. I remember crawling into my own bed that night thinking about all of those people who just had their lives ripped right from beneath them.
These are the moments you thank the man upstairs for everything you have in your life – and my children are constant reminders of this. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment.
Oh my goodness that must have been so scary!
Thinking of you!
Jody
.-= Mommy Moment´s last blog ..BBQ Tips! =-.
Powerful post. My hubby has asthma and his mum recounts going through similar ordeals when he was a child. I spent the night in hospital with my baby when he was 4 months old and had a bad chest infection. The fear of watching your child struggling to breathe.
I love technology too, the simple tools we have that can allay our fears – and also access to the internet where we hear other stories that give us hope and direction. Thanks so much for sharing Heather.
.-= Babes about Town´s last blog ..BabyBond: Breastfeed Openly & Giveaway! =-.
When you said “Access to the internet where we hear other stories that give us hope and direction,” totally why we blog, right? Thank you for that!
Every time I am pregnant I get “pregnancy induced asthma” that’s the only time. The nebulizer has literally saved my life (and that of the baby). I cannot even imagine what would have happened back in the day.
I am glad your son is okay, your story also gave me goosebumps.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..The Husband is a Faker! =-.
It’s crazy to imagine how they survived without this stuff!
While yes the nebulizer is awesome I don’t miss the days of using them on our son.
the spring must be horror for you {HUGS}
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..Edwards Desserts Rewards Moms =-.
Amen to the amazingness and beauty of technology, especially THIS technology. It has saved my sisters kids many times, and I’ve used it several on my own little boy. So glad your little boy is ok, and that you/we are blessed with such great technology.
.-= Allyson´s last blog ..Easter….in an eggshell =-.
We love our nebulizer! Principessa used to call it “elephant”-because the fish mask somehow looked like an elephant to her. It is without a doubt, a life saver!
Scary colors in our children’s faces are enough to make your heart stop…
How scary! I’m so glad he is alright. I often think of how moms in yesteryears didn’t have some of the things we have today, how do they do it?!
.-= Kristy´s last blog ..Take That, Scale F***er! =-.
For this same reason I love technology as well.
I was diagnosed with asthma at 4. Inhalers are part of my life and technology is to thank for that. I hope my little one doesn’t have it.
I’m so glad you’re kiddo is okay and even though it sometimes suck to depend on a nebulizer/inhaler, we’re lucky to have something that can save us.
PS. Your mother is a sweetheart.
.-= Mayra´s last blog ..Touches Spéciales =-.
My heart is pounding in my chest after reading this story. Your mom is a very strong woman and I can’t begin to imagine the agony she felt when you were having an asthma attack. I am so so so so glad that you have a nebulizer for your son. Technology is good. Very good.
.-= browneyes_24b @ Larry’s Ass´s last blog ..Spilled milk =-.
Oh, I hate asthma. I have one child with mild asthma that seems to be pretty well-controlled. (Two hospital visits, ever.) But I know what you mean about technology.
My oldest son was born with half a heart in 1992 and my youngest with similar defects in 2005. The difference in technology in those thirteen years is death and life—literally.
Bless your mama for all she went through!
Lisa @ All That and a Box of Rocks
http://lisaschaffer.blogspot.com
.-= Lisa@All That and a Box of Rocks´s last blog ..Wish I had Something Good…. =-.
asthma attacks are terrifying. my little brother had rsv as a baby and he still has to use his nebulizer once in a while (he’s six now). your mother sounds pretty amazing.
.-= alexis´s last blog ..i didn’t vote for obama. that doesn’t mean i hate black people. =-.
I’m so glad your little man is okay. It’s scary when these things happen and even scarier when they cannot tell you what is going on with them. We too have a nebulizer sitting in the closet waiting to be called out at a moments notice. My son had a few bouts of pneumonia early on in his life (the sole reason I decided to stay home with him) and even though I hate that he had to go through the treatments, we are very fortunate to live in a time where medical advancements make that terrifying trip to the ER almost obsolete. It’s been close to a year since he has had to use it, but I know its there just in case. And that is peace of mind.
.-= Shari @ Tales from the Sippy Cup´s last blog ..Staring at the "idiot box" and other memories of my grandmother =-.
I just got horrible goose bumps. I can not even begin to wrap my head around what your poor mother went through. Thank God for technology!
.-= Things to do With Your Kids – Mommy Talk´s last blog ..Wednesday: Fontana Park Review =-.
What a sweet post! Since having my children I am frequently overwhelmed with a new understanding of exactly how much my parents love me. We’ve had to make a couple of ER trips with our boys (thankfully everyone was fine both times) and after the first trip I looked at my parents in a completely different light.
My parents had numerous trips for my brother (accident prone is putting it mildly) and a couple for me. I had epilepsy as a child and must have given them numerous near-heart attacks. I realized, after that first trip with my son, that even though my parents seemed to have it all together, inside they were FREAKING OUT. I always loved my parents, but now I have an entirely new level of love and respect.
Now that I am a mother, I have a new appreciation and respect for my parents as well.
I am so grateful for technology as well….I’m sorry that you have to deal with the asthma, but I’m relieved he’s doing alright.
😉
.-= Erin´s last blog ..TerraCycle: Turning Garbage Into Gold (More Going Green For Spring) & Giveaway winners! =-.
Oh goodness, boy do I remember the car rides to the ER. We had an old Chrysler, and I can remember once when my dad hit a bump. He was going so fast that we went airborne. It scared me so horribly, because it was at that moment that I understood the seriousness of the situation.
I am beyond grateful my son hasn’t gotten asthma. And, I am beyond grateful that your son has you.
.-= Toni @ Hemp & High Heels´s last blog ..Orange You Glad I Didn’t Say Banana? =-.
Amazing that we survived, right? Yeah, I wish my little guy didn’t get that fabulous gene, hoping my daughter will dodge it…we shall see. And thanks for yor sweet comment. Made my day. 😉