In October of 1996 came down with a pretty bad cold and fever, then a stomach virus. A few days after the stomach virus appeared to be gone he woke up with hives all over his body. At first I didn't realize why he was so CRANKY when he woke up. He usually smiles and runs to me to pick him up out of the crib but this time he ran away from me. When I started undressing him I finally realized why he was so fussy. I thought at first he was having an allergic reaction to a new food such as the orange juice he drank the previous day. Well, I called the doctor and what it ended up being was a histamine release from the virus he had. The doctor said to give him Alveeno baths and also oral Benadryl. The hives only lasted a few days but they would disappear and reappear and move around his body. One minute you would see a HUGE hive and then a few hours later it would be gone. The pediatrician told me that sometimes there is no known reason for hives and also he may never get them again which he hasn't, yet.

In January of 1997 Nick ended up getting a cold with a pretty bad wheezing spell. We went to the pediatrician because he needed to receive nebulizer (aerosol) treatments of Albuterol to help him breath clearer. He was currently taking the Albuterol syrup but this didn't seem to be as effective and also made him very hyper. During this office visit, Nick was given a prescription for a nebulizer machine to be used as home. We received the machine that day and it was even delivered to our house the same afternoon. He had to use the machine every 4 hours for the first couple of days. He didn't like using the machine at first but eventually he enjoyed it and it became a game. He didn't use the mask but used a mouthpiece. He looked like an old man smoking a cigar! He was sooo cute. Previously during his wheezing attacks, Nick was also given Prelone (a steriod) to help his breathing. The pediatrician said that you must watch when steriods are given because it can interfere with when immunizations can be given. Steriods weaken the bodies' immune system and therefore you don't want to give a live vaccination. His diagnosis for his wheezing spells is "brochospasm due to prematurity". His wheezing spells would appear even if he didn't have a cold.

In March of 1997 Nick got another cold without much wheezing. He only needed a few treatments of the nebulizer machine. Hopefully his lungs are starting to get stronger. He hasn't had a cold since. I think this is mainly due to the fact that Nicholas has been out of daycare since January 10, 1997. I've been laid-off since then due to the company I work for, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation's union, being on strike since October 1, 1996. I'm very much enjoying being a stay at home mother for the moment! Nick sure keeps me going! He's non-stop, must being doing something all the time. He likes to wander in the yard and chase the cat and birds. He also loves swimming in his pool and swinging and climbing on the swingset.

More updates later .....