Back in School, Continuing Respiratory Issues, and the Covid-19 Vaccine

  • Post category:Illness / School
  • Reading time:5 mins read

Back in School

The Covid numbers in our area have come down a bit to the point where James was able to go back to school in mid-January. He’s back to the hybrid schedule he was on when they first went back to school in the fall (before they went back to fully virtual). He is at school on Mondays and Tuesdays and does remote learning the rest of the week.

Although we are a bit nervous about him getting Covid, we really think he needs to be in school. Not just for the therapies, but also for socialization, and working more closely with his teachers. Remote learning is okay, and I guess it’s better than nothing, but I don’t think it will ever fully take the place of being in the classroom.

I think there is something psychological about physically being in school. Stacy does an excellent job helping James with his remote learning, but I also think that being at home in his comfy chair makes him think that it’s okay to take naps throughout the school day. I’d probably sleep through school, too, if I was at home.

There is one benefit of remote learning…your dog can go to school with you. Maggie watched Stacy and James make a snowman for art class. We think she thought it was food because she tried to eat it.

 

James lies on his cushioned recliner covered with a patterned sheet, wearing a red shirt and a white cloth near his neck. His head is tilted to the side with his mouth open. Beside them, a brown dog with black ears lays on the floor, looking toward the camera. In front of James, on a wooden table, sits a small handmade snowman figure with orange pipe‑cleaner arms, a blue hat, and a red and white scarf. The tabletop has painted decorations and letters. The background includes beige carpet, a dog bed, and assorted household items, creating a cozy, lived‑in atmosphere.
Maggie tried to eat James’ snowman

 

Maggie also seems to enjoy reading books with him.

 

A large brown dog sits on the living‑room floor facing a wall‑mounted television. The screen shows a virtual meeting layout with several small video windows at the top and two illustrated children’s book pages below — one featuring a colorful village scene, the other showing an animal in a forest. Beneath the TV, a wooden entertainment center holds decorative items, including a red toy truck labeled “Loads of Love,” a sign reading “simply blessed,” and a small digital clock. A green sippy cup rests on top of the cabinet. To the left, a person’s feet in pink Crocs are visible. The scene feels homey and modern, with the dog appearing to watch the virtual storytime.
Maggie learning to read

 

We think James likes having a dog. This is a text and picture that Stacy got from his teacher a couple of weeks ago:

“James was very clear on wanting to pick Maggie 😂 he raises his hand, did a vocalization, and moved his head! A trifecta! He wanted to show you his writing today! ☺️”

~ James’ teacher

 

James in his wheelchair faces a large interactive display screen with a bright pink background. The screen shows a writing activity titled “WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOVE?” with cartoon graphics and filled‑in text boxes. The responses mention loving their dog Maggie and appreciating her cuddles. James appears engaged with the activity, using assistive technology to participate.
James loves Maggie

 

 

The Respiratory Issues Continue

In last month’s post, I discussed the respiratory issues that James started having in late November. We thought we had them resolved at the end of December after we gave our house a good cleaning. Shortly after we cleaned, he was able to get off the oxygen for the first time in almost six weeks. We got James in to see the pulmonologist in early January to discuss the respiratory issue and he thought James could have had Covid and sent him to get an antibodies test. The test came back negative, so it wasn’t Covid.

We’re still not really sure what it was, but because his symptoms seemed to clear up shortly after we cleaned and vacuumed the house, we’re leaning towards a dust mite allergy, which was one of the things that showed up on the allergy test.

He was doing good and not needing oxygen for about a week…and then he went back to school. Stacy had to pick him up on the second day back because he was having respiratory issues, and they couldn’t get his sats back up, even with 2 liters of oxygen.  After getting him home, Stacy did her normal routine…belly time to drain the secretions, some suctioning, and a nebulizer treatment. It took a couple of hours, but he managed to bounce back.

A couple of days later he had a rough night with more respiratory issues. Stacy was up most of the night with him and dozed off for a bit the next morning during his percussion vest treatment.

 

Two people lie close together on a carpeted floor. James is wearing a colorful percussion vest with a grid pattern and attached tubes over a red shirt and mushroom‑patterned pants. Beside him, Stacy in a red top and monkey‑print pajama pants rests on a mat decorated with monkeys and a medical pad labeled “COVIDIEN.” A black and gray bag with tan handles sits in the background with a floral item on top. The scene feels quiet and intimate, capturing a moment of rest and care.
Stacy taking a nap while James gets a percussion vest treatment

 

That was a couple of weeks ago and has been doing pretty good since. He still needs oxygen here and there, but overall, he’s doing good. This is just typical James. Just when we think he’s on the up and up, he takes a step or two backwards. It’s sometimes frustrating, but we’re kind of used to it.

 

 

Covid-19 Vaccine

Illinois has started to roll out Covid-19 vaccines in phases. The first phase includes healthcare workers, and frontline essential works (first responders, teachers, other public-facing industries). Since Stacy is James’ primary caregiver, she falls under healthcare worker. I work at a college, so she put me down as a teacher. I could have probably been considered a healthcare worker as well, but I don’t really think it matters. All that matters is that we’re both at the front of the line to get vaccinated so that we don’t have to worry as much about bringing the virus home to James.

Stacy has a lot more patience than I do. I would have gotten too frustrated and given up. She spent hours on the phone and on the Walgreens website trying to book an appointment to get her first dose of the vaccine. She finally managed to get one…45 minutes away. As of this morning, she is partially vaccinated against Covid-19. I will hold off for a couple of weeks to make sure she doesn’t have any adverse reactions before I get my first shot. I am really looking forward to getting vaccinated, not just to protect James, but to also finally be able to move back to a normal work schedule. This working from 4:00 am to 12:30 pm is rough. I thought I would eventually get used to it, but I just can’t.