Hi Sally,

My job is about 20 minutes or so away from home/school/daycare and my CAH daughter started kindergarten this past July. I will preface my comments by stating that I am a single mom and I have to work. I have been in my current employment for 20 years and I have great health benefits. Since I’m not always at my desk at work, I do have a cell phone for day care and school to use when contacting me.

I am fortunate, Olivia has always been very healthy -- in her whole life I have only needed to give her 3 injections, with 2 of the times still needing to visit the ER for fluids (we almost were there last night -- yikes!).

I have a very good daycare -- while they won’t give Olivia an injection, they will give her an oral stress dose. They are willing to keep the injection kit because our ambulance district (which is 5 minutes away) will give her an injection.

Our school nurse is wonderful. Olivia gets her meds every day, on time. The nurse also has an injection kit and will give one if necessary.

I try very hard to have CAH be a part of our life -- not rule our life. I will not be able to be with Olivia all the time -- or even close, even if I was a stay-at-home-mom. I have tried to make sure that Olivia understands her CAH. Last night before supper she vomited, no fever. I waited the 30 minutes and gave her a triple dose. But by that time she was sound asleep -- or was it lethargy?!?! I ended up calling the ped endo on call and we decided to give an injection, just to be sure. This morning when I gave Olivia Cheeto’s (salt) and orange juice (sugar) for breakfast, she knew why. She also helped me make sure that she had plenty of salty and sweet foods in her lunch box. She knows that when she is sick/recovering these will help her feel better.

My advice (not that you asked for it) would be, if you are happy with the way day care and school handle the CAH on a day to day basis, and if you feel they understand and will appropriately respond in a stress dose or injection situation, take the job.

Warm regards,

Janet