No Longer on Profile
Greetings to everyone!
Exciting news today. Because she was pregnant, Rebecca has been on a medical profile with the WY ANG. The profile prevents her from certain activities and duties. One of the items she has been exempt from is the required PT test so she can be officially recognized as a 1st Lieutenant. She has been wearing the silver bar since September, but still the PT test hung out there like a college final for which one is ill-prepared.
This weekend was Rebecca's test. Most women do not pass their PT the first time after returning from a pregnancy. The ones who do are generally the younger twenty-somethings.
Rebecca has been training for months, diligently going to the gym, hiring a personal trainer, running, joining a dieting regimen, the works. Still, as this weekend approached, she did not feel able to pass the test.
Pushups where killing her, to the point of dislodging joints which needed a chiropractor to reset. Running was also something of a challenge. Ironically, she could do situps easily enough; the very place where she was cut to deliver Xavier was where she was strongest.
Saturday at last arrived, and beginning about 09:30 she and two others took on the gauntlet set before them. We had been praying Psalm 18 over this day, particularly verses 29 through 35. It would be sometime near noon before we knew anything.
Xavier and I were on our way to Home Depot when my phone buzzed with its announcement of a new text message. I knew instantly who sent it and what it would tell us. I pulled into the parking lot and parked. Picking up the phone, I opened the text and read the humble words "I think I passed"
Yes, Rebecca did, indeed, pass, and she did so on her first try. Glory to God! She is no longer on a medical profile (once the paper work goes through).
Thank you all for your prayers. Once again, we enjoy the goodness of our God and Father!
Clarification on the Cough
Greeting and hello to everyone.
I have gotten a few questions about the post on Xavier's newly developed chronic cough. Some have asked "how is Xavier doing? Is he well?"
Yes, he is well. Xavier is very "drooly" (perhaps a coinage to mean he salivates heavily). The pediatrician asked if he was cutting teeth. We thought he might have been a few weeks back; he demonstrated every sign and symptom of cutting teeth, but none appeared. Since then, many of the signs have gone into remission. No, he is not cutting teeth so far.
Dr. Abbey agreed with our assessment to introduce a humidifier, which, as circumstances have made it, we have from Rebecca's first week in the hospital at PVH. She needed one for her room. It traveled with us to University Hospital and then to the Southern Outpost. Now, it has moved with us to the Southern Estate. Picked it up Monday night (the pediatrician's office is only 5 minutes from the Southern Outpost, so it was easy enough to collect).
Other than that, Dr. Abbey thinks the cough comes from Xavier producing so much saliva. His coughing seems more pronounced when on his back, lending more credence to the idea.
The doctor suggested we have our house tested for mold, as that also might be a cause. We had every carpet in the Southern Estate ripped up and replaced by either new carpet or wood flooring. We found only two spots of mold in all of this, which we painted over with an effective mold-covering primer. Mold is not a contributor.
More than likely, especially since it seems to be growing less frequent, Xavier's cough is a combination of three things. He needs more humidity, he is very drooly and it overwhelms his throat at times, and he was aggravated by all the dust and stuff kicked up during the renovation.
Though we were careful to keep Xavier away from most of the activity, still it has taken a while for all the dust to settle (literally and figuratively). Also, he did show nervousness and concern at his new location, which has taken time for him to grow used to. This stress may have contributed to his cough.
Thank you all for your concern, your prayers and your support.
A Spontaneous Visit to Dr. Abbey
Greetings to everyone.
Xavier has in the past week picked up a bit of a chronic cough. This coincided with taking up residence in the newly renovated Southern Estate. As newbie parents, we wondered if we need to invest in a humidifier, or was he coming down with something, or was it something in the new environment.
Better not to take chances, so Rebecca got a late in the day appointment. The results: everything is fine. His lungs are clear and healthy. The exam of his ears showed normal. His level of activity matches his age, perhaps a little beyond.
Xavier flirted shamelessly with the nurses, as is his habit. When the otoscope was brought near, Xavier had to examine it. He reached out and took hold of it every time it neared his head. To trick him, mom had to hold him against her chest as he faced her. The doctor then sneaked in to get a look.
The doctors and nurses still marvel at how alert Xavier is and how aware of his surroundings he is.
One of the benefits of the visit as updated stats, at least to his weight. He weighed in at 10 pounds, 10.8 ounces.