Struggling with school??

[yaf_user681_15459]

Anyone else's child struggling with school already?! So early in the term!!

[Clarefraser]

Hi Em

I was just going to post the same question! The answer is yes we are. I know your daughters needs are a lot more complex than Fraser's and you have an awful lot to consider, but we are struggling already too.

My difficult today has been deciding if I should send my son in or not. After a bad reaction to a cat on Friday evening Fraser has struggled all weekend. This morning he wasn't coughing constantly, but was very bunged up and pale. The trouble I have faced is knowing when it's right to send him in, especially now he is in year 6 I'm so conscious of the time he has had off and only want him to miss time if absolutely necessary. So I took him in and sat down with the TA who knows my son very well and made her promise to call me if he isn't managing. Can't believe the difficulties have began already.

Do you knowI don't like the word 'hate' and never normally use it but as I sit here crying and feeling guilty hoping I've made the right decision I have decided I really do 'HATE' asthma!

Clare

[yaf_user681_15459]

Aww Clare, I really do feel for you. It's so hard knowing whether to send them in or not. If you keep them home, you can keep an eye on them but the down side is, you therefore have to juggle work and have the 'guilt' re school attendance.

But, I truly feel that the best thing in the world is to keep them safe. If you know you can trust staff at school, then you did right to send fraser in today with the knowledge they will call you if need be. If you aren't lucky to have that reassurance, I truly believe that they should be at home with you.

What concerns me is that asthma can change so quickly and not all school staff are clued up as much as they should be. Alot still feel its a 'blue inhaler condition'. Sadly that's not always the case.

My hubby and I were talking last night about maddies school attendance. She's been back 2 wks and its already around 70%. We are very lucky with support from school but we were saying that if we didnt have that understanding from the head teacher, we could well be in the predicament as to the educational welfare officer becoming involved!! And that's after 2 weeks!! But we both still agreed that we wouldn't change anything as to how we deal with her medical conditions and school. She, as a person, and her well being comes first before that of anything else. You did exactly that with fraser. You are a fab mummy.

Sending you mahoosive hugs and love for a difficult few days. Hope fraser comes home on the mend hun.

Take care xx

[Clarefraser]

Hi Emily

Thank you for your reply. Fraser needed his inhaler at school but seemed to manage the day okay, however that evening & during the night he really struggled and was up most of the night needing ventolin and atrovent. I took him to the GP the next day and he is currently on a course of pred . Today I think (hope) he has turned a corner, so I'm hoping for some more sleep tonight. He has ended up with days off school again but as you rightly said their well being comes before anything else.

Going back to the GP on Friday for a check up and I am going to ask for some more allergy testing ( been a few years since the last lot) as Fraser's allergy to cats appears to be getting worse and I am frightened about the next time he comes into contact with cat dander! Maybe a change of antihistamines might help!

Thanks for being there, Clare

[Hidden]

Hello Ladies,

As an ex respiratory nurse who has only just left the job, I really know what you re saying as every week in our clinics we got mothers & fathers who said the same thinks that you are saying.

Hopefully with the new rules about having spare blue inhalers in schools along with it will come better educations for teachers so they will know what to do so that your are reassured.

However try to get your school nurses on board to help you or at least listen to you.

Never be worried about not sending them to school if you think they are unwell but make sure you use your asthma management plan & see the nurse or GP regularly

Good luck

[Hidden]

My daughter has been to A&E recently with a wheeze her inhalers Wernt clearing.

My other daughter who attends the same school and also has asthma, went swimming and the school ( supply teacher ) forgot to take the classes inhalers! My daughter whose 9, had to sit out as she was out of breathe. I have kep my younger daughter off who went to hospital, as she's on steriods for a few days.

I have lost a little bit of trust in the school due to them

Not taking the inhalers and have had to have time off work again ( she had the same problem 4 weeks ago ) I have spoken to the school and expressed my anger at this. Anyone have this problem? I work in a school and we would have gotten into so much trouble for this. The thought of what could have happened is scary.

[angievere]

I have been through all this with my son who thankfully is now in Sixth form. Unsympathetic schools were the bane of our lives and PE ones were the worst. But he is treated more respectfully in Sixth form now and doesnt have to do PE unless he wants to. Also being older he knows what to do when he feels ill and he can carry his portable nebuliser around with him.

It's discouraging that so little has changed in schools - I think there should be much more education about asthma.

Going back to the original post - my son was off school within a few days of starting the new term! The colds get him every time.