Sweat

The diagnostic test for Cystic Fibrosis is a sweat test. The test consists of a sweat stimulant being placed on electrodes which are then applied to the patient's legs for 5 minutes. After the electrodes are removed, sweat collection devices are placed over the area and then the patient is wrapped in warm blankets, coats, etc for 30 minutes while the sweat is collected. Easy peasy.

Unfortunately, it was not that easy for Finn. We repeated the test twice that day, with two electrodes for each test. After 4 sweat collection devices, we were able to collect ONE drop of sweat. I'm not exaggerating. It was only one drop!

Fast forward one month to Kai's sweat test. When the devices were removed the nurse was speechless. Kai had filled the sweat collection devices to the max. She said that she had never seen that before. I'd put money on the fact that Kai had even more sweat but there wasn't enough room to collect it all. Kai is and always has been our sweaty baby.

With the heat of this summer, I often find Kai with a wet, sweaty head. He can work up a sweat anytime. Some favorite times are while playing the Wii or red light, green light, or chase. Here's a picture from the weekend. It was in the low 80s outside. Kai had been out in jeans and a short-sleeve shirt for less than 15 minutes on his tricycle. Most of that time was spent just sitting on it. No pedaling, no physical activity. He was wearing his helmet. This is what he looked like when we took off the helmet.

I just laugh and think about how he needs a bath. I think this little guy is going to have to learn about deodorant much sooner than the rest of his friends.