Started at 2024-07-10 13:03:37 (UTC)
Q [20240710_130500]: How are you feeling this morning?
A [20240710_130500]: Um, I'm still kinda tired. My chest hurts a bit and I get outta breath sometimes. But I did get to watch cartoons this morning! And the nurse was nice and gave me some juice. I miss my kitties and doggy though. Can I ask when I can go home?
Q [20240710_130536]: I think you will be discharged soon, but first we would like to ask you some questions.
A [20240710_130536]: Okay! What do you wanna ask?
Q [20240710_130612]: We would like to know what happened the day you came to the hospital, right before. What were you doing?
A [20240710_130612]: Um, I remember I was walking from school to grandma's daycare. I was just talking to my friend, and then I started feeling really tired and out of breath. My chest was hurting, and I started wheezing a lot. By the time I got to the daycare, I felt really, really bad. Grandma looked worried and took me to the hospital.
Q [20240710_130653]: Does that happen often?
A [20240710_130653]: Yeah, it happens sometimes, especially when I'm outside or playing. I get outta breath and my chest hurts. Then I start to wheeze. It makes it hard to do stuff like other kids.
Q [20240710_130723]: What things would you like to do that you cannot do because of this condition?
A [20240710_130723]: I wanna play sports like soccer with my friends and run around with them, but I can't do it for long 'cause I get really tired and start wheezing. I also wanna have sleepovers and stay up late like other kids, but sometimes my asthma makes it too hard. I just wanna do normal kid stuff without feeling sick all the time.
Q [20240710_130753]: Do you feel that is affecting your friendships?
A [20240710_130753]: Yeah, kinda. Sometimes my friends wanna play games that need a lot of running, and I can't always keep up. They don't leave me out on purpose, but if I have to stop and rest, they just keep playing. I feel sad 'cause I can't do everything they do.
Q [20240710_130836]: What do you do when you start playing but get tired and out of breath?
A [20240710_130836]: When I start playing and get tired and out of breath, I sit down and rest for a bit. Sometimes I use my inhaler if I'm wheezing a lot. Then I wait until I feel better before trying to play again. I usually just watch my friends play while I rest.
Q [20240710_130903]: Do you carry an inhaler with you at all times?
A [20240710_130903]: Yes, I try to carry my inhaler all the time. My grandma makes sure I have it in my backpack for school and tells me to keep it with me. Sometimes I forget, but I try to remember because I might need it if I start wheezing.
Q [20240710_130942]: Do you know how to use it?
A [20240710_130942]: Yes, I do! Grandma showed me how. You just shake it, then breathe out, put it in your mouth, and press down while you breathe in deep. Then you hold your breath for a few seconds before breathing out slowly. It’s a little tricky at first, but I got used to it.
Q [20240710_132111]: You say sometimes you have problems sleeping. Can you tell us more about that?
A [20240710_132111]: Yeah, sometimes it's hard for me to sleep 'cause I start wheezing and coughing a lot. It happens mostly at nighttime. I wake up and can’t breathe right, so Grandma gives me my inhaler, and sometimes I feel better. But sometimes it takes a while. I don't like waking up like that. It's scary and makes me tired the next day. Plus, the cats like to sleep in my bed, and I think that might make it worse, but I love them so much.
Q [20240710_132148]: Do you feel sick around your cats?
A [20240710_132148]: Um, sometimes, I guess. I love my cats so much, but sometimes when they sleep in my bed, I start wheezing and coughing more. I think it makes my asthma worse, but I don't want them to leave my room. It's kinda hard 'cause I want to keep them close, but I also want to breathe better.
Q [20240710_132211]: What about your dog?
A [20240710_132211]: Oh, I love my dog too! He's so cute and fun to play with. I don’t think he makes me feel sick like the cats do, ‘cause I don’t wheeze as much when he's around. But sometimes when he jumps on my bed, I start coughing a bit. But it’s not as bad as with the cats. I don’t want him to leave my room either.
Q [20240710_132317]: What do you do when you feel sick at school?
A [20240710_132317]: When I feel sick at school, I usually tell my teacher or go to the nurse’s office. They let me use my inhaler, and sometimes I lie down until I feel better. If it’s really bad, the nurse calls my grandma to pick me up. It’s kinda scary when I can't breathe right, but I know the nurse will help me.
Q [20240710_132423]: What do you like to do in your free time?
A [20240710_132423]: I like to draw and color a lot. I have this big box of crayons and markers, and I make pictures of my family, my pets, and sometimes fairies or superheroes. Sometimes I read books, especially the ones with lots of pictures. And I really like playing with my dog; we play fetch or just cuddle. I also like watching cartoons, especially when I don’t feel too good. It’s fun and makes me feel better!
Q [20240710_132447]: Do you have friends?
A [20240710_132447]: Yeah, I have friends. I have some kids I play with at school, but it’s hard sometimes 'cause I miss school a lot because of my asthma. And when I’m there, I can't always play outside or do all the stuff they do 'cause I get tired and start wheezing. But there’s a girl named Maya who I talk to a lot, and she’s really nice. We like to draw together.
Q [20240710_132539]: Do you have friends outside of school?
A [20240710_132539]: Yeah, but not too many. Mostly, I just play with my dog at home. Sometimes, when my aunt comes over, I get to play with her dogs too. And when I go to daycare with my grandma, there are some kids there I play with. But it’s mostly just school friends like Maya who I see more.
Q [20240710_132608]: What pets does your aunt have?
A [20240710_132608]: My aunt Shelia has two dogs and a bird. Sometimes she brings her bird to our house for grandma to watch.
Q [20240710_132639]: Does the bird make you sick?
A [20240710_132639]: Umm, I don't think so. The bird doesn't really make me sick, I just like watching it. But sometimes, when it’s really dusty, I start coughing. I think my asthma gets worse with dust and stuff, but not the bird really.
Q [20240710_132728]: Tell a little bit about the people you live with.
A [20240710_132728]: Okay! So, I live with my grandma Jackie, my grandpa Marvin, and my dad Joe. My grandma is really nice and she works at Walmart and sometimes takes care of kids at a daycare. She worries a lot about me and my asthma. My grandpa Marvin is really fun and I’m super close to him, but he needs surgery soon for his hip and forgets stuff sometimes. My dad used to be in the Army but now he’s home. He sleeps a lot and is kinda different and moody since he came back. He tries to help but doesn’t have a full-time job yet. We also have two cats and a dog at home! Sometimes I play with them and that makes me happy.
Q [20240710_132807]: Do you feel safe at home?
A [20240710_132807]: Umm, well, kinda. I mean, I love my family and stuff, but sometimes it's hard 'cause my dad gets really moody and my grandpa forgets things. And there’s a lot of dust and smoke which makes me wheeze. But my grandma always takes care of me, so that makes me feel better.
Q [20240710_132828]: Who prepares meals at home?
A [20240710_132828]: Usually, my grandma Jackie makes the meals. Sometimes my dad helps too, but mostly it's grandma. She makes yummy food for us!
Q [20240710_132845]: Do you always have food at home?
A [20240710_132845]: Umm, mostly we have food. My grandma makes sure we eat and she makes yummy stuff. Sometimes it's hard 'cause we don’t have a lot of money, but grandma always finds a way to make us dinner.
Q [20240710_132904]: What do you normally eat for dinner?
A [20240710_132904]: Hmm, well, it changes a lot. But usually, my grandma Jackie makes stuff like chicken or spaghetti. Sometimes we have sandwiches or soup. And we always have some veggies, like carrots or peas. My favorite is when she makes macaroni and cheese! It's really yummy.
Q [20240710_132926]: Do you eat fruts?
A [20240710_132926]: Yeah, I eat fruits! My grandma Jackie always makes sure we have some. I like apples and bananas the best. Sometimes we have grapes or oranges too. Fruits are yummy and juicy!🍎🍌🍊
Q [20240710_133042]: Has there been a time when you had to go to bed hungry?
A [20240710_133042]: Umm, I don’t think so. Grandma always makes sure we have something to eat. Sometimes it’s not a lot, but it’s something. She’s really good at making sure we don’t go to bed with empty tummies.
Q [20240710_133106]: Who do you play with at home?
A [20240710_133106]: I play with my dog and my cats at home! They're really fun and cuddly. Sometimes my grandma plays games with me too, like cards or board games. My grandpa tries to play with me, but he gets tired quickly. I wish my dad would play with me more, but he’s always busy or tired since he came back from the Army.
Q [20240710_133130]: How is your relationship with your dad?
A [20240710_133130]: I dunno really. I love my dad lots, but he’s different since he came back from the Army. He used to play with me more and we'd have fun, but now he’s tired or busy a lot. Sometimes he looks sad and doesn’t talk much. I wish he’d play with me like before.
Q [20240710_133148]: Does that make you sad?
A [20240710_133148]: Yeah, it makes me kinda sad. I miss the old times when we used to play and have fun together. I wish he wasn’t so tired all the time. But I know he’s been through a lot, so I try to be good and not bother him too much.
Q [20240710_133220]: How does he treat you?
A [20240710_133220]: My dad is nice to me, but he’s kinda distant now. He doesn’t play with me much like he used to, and sometimes he’s really quiet and looks sad. But he's never mean or anything, just not the same as before.
Q [20240710_133346]: Have you been sick lately?
A [20240710_133346]: Yeah, I’ve been sick. I had to go to the hospital 'cause I couldn’t breathe good. My grandma says I get colds and wheeze a lot, and I missed school 'cause of my asthma. But they gave me medicine, and I feel better now.
Q [20240710_133413]: How often were you sick in the last months?
A [20240710_133413]: I don't know, but my grandma said I missed school a lot because of asthma. I think I was sick with colds and wheezing stuff quite a few times.
Q [20240710_133518]: Is there anything we can do to help you feel better when you leave the hospital?
A [20240710_133518]: Maybe just help me remember to take my medicine and help my grandma if she needs it? 'Cause sometimes she gets really worried about stuff. And maybe make sure my grandpa's okay too. I just wanna be able to breathe and play with my friends.
Q [20240710_133558]: Are you worried about missing school?
A [20240710_133558]: Yeah, I get worried sometimes 'cause I like school and I don't wanna miss too much. I wanna be with my friends and do all the fun stuff we do in class. And I don't wanna fall behind.
Q [20240710_133616]: What do you do when you fall behind?
A [20240710_133616]: I try to catch up by asking my friends what we did in class and I try to finish my homework. Sometimes my grandma or the teacher helps me too. I don't like falling behind 'cause then it's hard to understand stuff later.
Q [20240710_133658]: Would you like some extra help with homework when you go back home?
A [20240710_133658]: Yes, that would be really nice! Sometimes the homework gets confusing and it's hard to do it all by myself. Plus, with all the stuff going on at home, I could really use some extra help to keep up. Thanks for asking!
Q [20240710_133729]: What do you mean "all the stuff going on at home"?
A [20240710_133729]: Oh, well, there's a lot happening. My grandpa's gonna have surgery and he's in a lot of pain, so somebody has to be with him all the time. My dad came back from the Army and he's not the same, he gets really sad and doesn't work much. And we just moved to a new place 'cause we got kicked outta our apartment. So it's all kinda crazy and busy at home.
Q [20240710_133751]: Where are you staying now?
A [20240710_133751]: We're staying at my grandma's friend's place now. It's a condo but it's getting fixed up, so it's kinda messy. But it's okay, we're all together.
Q [20240710_133803]: Is it dirty?
A [20240710_133803]: Yeah, it's kinda dirty sometimes 'cause of the fixing up stuff, like dust and tools everywhere. But we try to keep our own space clean. It’s not too bad, just kinda messy!
Q [20240710_133823]: Who cleans the condo?
A [20240710_133823]: Um, mostly my grandma and a little bit me. My grandpa can't do much 'cause of his hip, and my dad tries to help but he's really tired a lot. We just try our best to keep it clean even with all the mess from the fixing.
Q [20240710_133903]: What problems do you have at the condo because of the renovations?
A [20240710_133903]: There's a lot of dust and sometimes tools and stuff are in the way. It makes breathing kinda hard for me, especially with my asthma. It's also noisy, and sometimes it’s hard to find a quiet place to do my homework or rest. Plus, the mess makes it hard to keep things tidy.
Q [20240710_134017]: What other things make you sick at home apart from the dust?
A [20240710_134017]: At home, besides the dust, the smoke from my dad and grandpa's cigarettes makes me feel sick. Also, sometimes the pets make my asthma worse, especially the cats and the bird. And, um, like when it gets cold outside, I get more sick too, like more wheezing and stuff.
Q [20240710_134054]: What do you do when they smoke?
A [20240710_134054]: I try to go to another room or sometimes I go outside if it's not too cold. My grandma tells them to stop, but they don't always listen. I just don’t like the smell, and it makes my breathing all funny.