A Boy & His Dogs

The last two weeks have been spent dashing around to doctor appts, labs and medical centers. Boy #3 has had chronic congestion for the last couple of years (gets better in the summer) which leads to a nasty sinus infection here and there. The pediatrician labels it "allergies" and throws some antibiotics at the sinus problem. But no definitive diagnosis.

I finally decided to get tough on it and made an appt. with an allergist. #3 let it be known that every now and then his chest hurt when he ran around in cold air. The nurse made him run the hallway for 12 minutes (to the amazement of his older brother who has never seen younger one do so much exercise). Diagnosis? Asthma.

I was sent out for neck x-rays, blood work and a visit to pediatrician for immunizations. Then we went back for skin testing (faint scratches with a plastic doo-hickey). Yesterday it was allergy testing which involved sticking a needle under the skin (17 times!).

Diagnosis? Allergic to bermuda grass and dogs. Great. Basically, we would have to get rid of three members of the family AND not let #3 outside in our yard for the rest of his life.

#3 put on his best "Call of Duty 5" face and told the doctor, "Its just a snotty nose. I'm not getting rid of our dogs." He will soon be going weekly for allergy shots and downing a host of meds.

Could you get rid of this?

or this????