Xopenex 0.63mg/3mL

That's the new drug Rebecca is on. Xopenex 0.63mg/3mL is a bronchodilator (and does not include a steroid) to help open Rebecca's airways and expand her air sacks in her lungs. At our peds visit this morning, our NP, Carol, had a feeling to check Rebecca's O2 stats after listening to her breathe. Rebecca was low - 77% - 88%. Carol suggested we do a breathing treatment in the office to see if it would help Rebecca's rattling lungs.

10 minutes later and we were stating at 95%. Carol said that they had seen some early cases of children with bronchitis, and although Rebecca didn't have bronchitis, she did have a rattle (not a "pop") in her chest. Carol prescribed the Xopenex and asked if we need the nebulizer machine. We didn't - thank goodness Joanna purchased one for Reese when Reese had to have breathing treatments for asthma. Carol instructed us to do the breathing treatments 4 times a day for 3-5 days (we're doing the treatments for the full 5 days).

We decided to shop around for the best price for the Xopenex since the pharmacy in the doctor's plaza was charging $143 for 48 vials (we have a $5,000 deductible on each child and on me, so we're all about the best price). However, when we got home, things were so crazy that I didn't get to calling around until I spoke with Joanna at 6 pm tonight. JoJo said she'd call for me. What an angel! She is THE best sister/friend in the whole wide world! Sam's Club had the best price at $70 but they needed the Rx by 6:30 pm. Do I take my sick babies with me? Do I try to find a sitter last minute? Just then my lifeline sis-in-law, Carol, called and said Stephanie was coming over to watch Rebecca. How do these things happen...?

Rebecca's 1st breathing treatment at home went well. She even held the mouth piece and put it in her mouth a few times. But, then she got tired and didn't want anything in her face. Good thing the treatment is only 15 minutes long. We'll do her next treatment at 11 pm tonight.