Debbee

All I can say is "Thank the Lord there's a better world a'comin!!!"

Absolutely use a spacer. The way we explain it to parents and children in the E.D. is that the droplets are a lot smaller when using a spacer and therefore are able to be breathed into the lungs a lot easier. While a nebulizer or inhaler has larger droplets and much of the medication is swallowed into the stomach. This also increases side affects such as the shakey feeling sometimes experienced with some asthma medication. Using a spacer decreases this side affect. Hope this has helped.

Oh, yes, ain't that the truth! You better believe it!!!

when i've had bad days and wanted to say bye to it all, i've walked into the office to a bouquet of thank you flowers. that's why i keep going. why do you keep doing what you do? :balloons: it's the thankful ones, but also the ones who find a fresh start after a tragic life. those who you hear of months or even years later who have gone on to make something of their lives. i work in e.d. and love it, but i have days when i want to chuck in the towel. then i have a patient in whose life i make a difference and i remember why i do what i do. my life has been given to me to serve and help those in need. nursing! there's nothing i'd rather be doing.

Maggie, your response brought back some very painful memories for me. After many years of sexual abuse by my step-father, I became pregnant at 13 & miscarried the baby at 8 weeks. No-one can understand the pain of sexual abuse or the complicated secret life one often has to live just to survive. At 15 I again became pregnant, and gave birth to my daughter. Too many times as nurses we start to judge before we know the person and circumstances of these children giving birth to children. I have had a long painful road to healing of these wounds that no-one sees. I have since forgiven my father, whom I love very much. But sometimes something hits a raw nerve, and the tears flow for a moment. Whatever age a woman gives birth, she is a human being that needs love, understanding, and support. Without hope life is not worth living. At almost 40, I have a beautiful daughter, great son-in-law, and two amazing grand kids. The suffering I had to endure has blossomed into the most incredible beauty. No regrets.