Updates!

Many of you are asking to get updates on situations in previous blogs. And because the Q&A format was so popular, I'll try and give some updates in that format once again.

Q: How is Ryan doing?
A: Holding! Which is good! After my previous email request for US OTC medication, I was fortunate that a few of you did send us some of the ones I had requested, plus a few more I didn't think about. I figured the best defense, is a good offense and I became much more proactive in maintaining Ryan's every day health. I mentioned that we have been completely unprepared for the cold weather here and it seemed to happen overnight! So, I have been putting a lot of extra effort in dressing the boys more appropriately on a daily basis to try and keep them nice and warm. I have been giving Ryan a daily antihistamine, like Claritin or Zyrtec, but only when I notice his cough starts up. Also, along side the antihistamine, I give him a mucus thinner, like Mucinex, to break up any built up mucus in his lungs. But, again, this is only when I notice his cough is "acting" up. Also, I make sure BOTH boys get plenty of rest. Their daily activities, plus their new surroundings, plus ALL the daily visual stimuli they get everyday have increased dramatically since moving here and their brains are working in overdrive ABOVE the normal hyper speed of a 2 and 5 year old. SO, they NEED lots of rest. So, naps are in order! If they don't take a nap, it's low key activities or at the very least an early bedtime. This is all something I would normally do, even back home, BUT now I'm making sure they get enough rest!

I had noticed that Ryan gets these "episodes" of semi-asthmatic, semi-bronchial symptoms AFTER getting a normal cold. By the time he gets the episode, his little lungs have already been irritated by built up mucus from the head cold AS WELL AS being even more irritated by the heavy air pollutants (2 years olds are closer to the ground and pick up these pollutants which settle on the ground) AND the moisture in the air. His head cold seemed to suddenly develop into this "episode" because of all the irritants in his lungs and the mucus would get infected...and couldn't be treated without antibiotics at that point. So, I was trying to think of ways to PREVENT as many head colds as possible. However, he IS 2 years old, it IS winter, he DOES have an older brother, AND he goes to school part time. So, the likelihood he won't get any head colds is SLIM! So, I decided that prevention of further mucus build up is the key to avoiding these episodes. Thus, the antihistamine and mucus thinner when I suspect his lungs are on their way to a major build-up.

So far...it's been WORKING! Yah! He has gotten less head colds through everyday prevention and he hasn't gotten another "episode" after a head cold with keeping his lungs a little drier with the antihistamine. I don't expect he won't ever get another episode through this cold season, but I'm happy if he has a lot less of them and isn't on a string of antibiotics because of it! A couple of other items we can get to further try to prevent more irritants to his little lungs, is purchasing an air filter and a good humidifier for the boys' room. Which is on our list!

Something interesting...
Every single Chinese teacher, doctor, mother, ayi, etc had been telling me that I have to take Ryan in immediately and get an IV treatment for him if I don't want him to continue to get sick. Well...YEAH, I don't want him to keep getting sick. Is there something I don't know if EVERY Chinese person tell me to take him to the hospital for an IV treatment?? Is there some Chinese formula that Chinese people have discovered to counteract this "phenomenon" that happen to 2-4 year olds here in Shanghai?? TWO Chinese doctors have told me that if we were Chinese, they would send us to a room at the hospital to get a "treatment" (for several days) of CORTISONE!!!!! What????? Uh, WHAT????!!!!!

Yeah, it's true. That's the "secret" to Chinese health by modern day medicine. Because of socio-economical reasons, both adults and children NEED to get back to work or school the next day because they can't afford to be off for more than a day. Parents want their kids to get back to school, etc. So, it has become PROCEDURE to put a sick child (or adult) on an IV of cortisone as a treatment plan. No joke. Depending on the severity of the sickness, the number of days of treatment is decided. Many of you realize that cortisone, even applied to your skin in very small doses, can cause damage to your liver. BUT, cortisone is used because it fixes EVERYTHING and makes you feels a WHOLE lot better in a very short amount of time. Chinese doctors seems to negate the fact that it's also VERY toxic to your system. What are the long term effects for the Chinese people if they are always treated with cortisone shots or IV's?! Shorter life spans? Shorter people? Mental stunting? Who knows!?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been proven throughout the centuries to be effective and natural. But, as with any natural remedy or medicine, the results are slow. TCM is wonderful for preventative health.

Q. How are you and have you made any more friends?
A. Yes! I'm also holding my own and am very comfortable with the number of commitments and activities I'm engaged in on a daily basis. :)

Q. Have you adjusted to life in China?
A. It's still a work in progress! I imagine this kind of adjustment takes a very long time for MOST expats. However, I do feel MUCH more comfortable and continue to do so as time progresses. I'm excited about being able to show my mom several points of interest throughout Shanghai and experience some new ones too.

Q. Do you still want to come home?
A. Yes! I have a hard time imagining NOT feeling that way! There's no place like home. However, with that being said...I feel much more comfortable than when I first arrived (as to be expected, I guess.) Having a Chinese local born friend helps. Having other social commitments help. Having a GOOD driver helps!!! Having a wonderful ayi helps. Knowing my way around town helps. And figuring out how to keep my children health-IER definitely helps!

So, these are my updates! I'll keep you all abreast of more information as I get them! :)