If feels like life gets away from you sometimes and like you don't even have a moment to sit down and breathe, little less update a family blog. I have to keep reminding myself how important it is to keep these memories, for myself and for Michael and for the kids, as well as for all of those who don't get to see us often and want to know what is going on in our lives.
When a kid starts school for the first time, every parent knows their little immune systems are going to be bombarded with every yucky illness all his little friends track in. For Mr Gabriel, who attended the parent's day out program for about two years, this was not a major concern. Ah, but we did not consider what we would bring home to share with his baby brother!!
It all started with a rash.
One morning when Gabe woke up, I noticed little "chicken-flesh" all over his torso. I had Michael look at it and we agreed it was most likely due to the change in laundry soap, it didn't seem to be bothering him, so we went ahead and sent him to school. When he came home, he brought a note from the school nurse that said that the rash was likely Fifth Disease.
Fifth disease is caused by the parvovirus B19, and it is the biggest non-issue illness a child can have. Usually you don't even know the child has it until you see the "slapped cheek" rash, at which point it is officially not contagious any more. Almost all children get it at some point or another, Emerald had it when she was a tiny baby, so we didn't even need to pull Gabriel out of school until the rash cleared (it would take a week or two).
Predictably, the next logical step was the pinkening of little Benjamin's cheeks. Besides the rash and some slight tummy trouble, Ben was feeling and acting more or less all right and a call to the nurse confirms that it'll pass and we don't have to bring him in to see the doctor. Cool.
The rash has yet to clear up completely--it is still bright as day whenever you take him out into the heat or sunlight or wind, which pretty much describes Lubbock in May, but it could linger up to six months in that capacity. But days after the fifth disease appears, Benji spikes a little fever and his tummy troubles become much worse. It is just a stomach bug, nothing to get to worked up about, so lots of rest and fluids and tylenol later and he is perking up a bit. Oh, good.
We enjoy one day of good health before we are woken with the worst chest-rattling, barky cough from--you guessed it--baby Benjamin. It sounds so painful and miserable, and every breath afterwards sounds difficult. Another call to the nurse who recommends we bring Ben in to see the doctor because he is such a little fella that respiratory problems can become serious too quickly.
Michael ends up having to take a half day off so that he can be home to wait for the plumber (our bathtub was leaking) and get Gabe from the bus, so I take Ben and Emerald to the park for a picnic lunch and to feed the ducks before we take Benny to his appointment.
The doctors says it is croup, also known by the more unwieldy laryngotracheobronchitis, and administers a shot of steroids to help open up the passageways and ease his breathing. Croup is inflammation and swelling around the vocal chords, which is what causes the telltale barky cough. It used to be very serious and potentially deadly, but is common and controllable now. The nurse tells us to use a humidifier and to hold him in a warm, steam-filled bathroom with the shower running to break up the congestion when it gets really bad. The cough should improve to the more productive cough in a few days, and should be completely gone by the end of the week.
Poor Ben is actually acting sick, feeling miserable and wanting much more cuddles and affection. Unfortunately, I start feeling cold-ish, sinusy and generally horribly miserable. I don't want to risk getting Benji sick, but we don't have much choice as Michael cannot take off for as long as it would take me to get feeling better (as it would turn out, about two weeks).
Benjamin's croup cough gives way to the more productive cough, but it drags on...and on...and on. It just won't go away. His tummy troubles never resolved themselves either and he has now developed an acid-burn diaper rash on his little booty. It is so, so awful because every time we have to change him, he shakes from head to toe and turns scarlet as he screeches. It hurts him, and it is so miserable. The cough has persisted two weeks since the doctor's appointment and with the rash, I decide it is time to call and make another appointment or to get advice from the nurse on Monday, since it is Friday night.
The next morning, Ben wakes up with his eyes completely crusted closed and freaks out because he can't open his eyes and can't see. I am feeling completely overwhelmed, wondering when this little guy is going to start feeling better--it has been four weeks at this point since he has been healthy!!
I call the on-call nurse because I figure it can't wait until Monday, and she recommends we bring him into the weekend clinic. We set up an appointment for Sunday morning, where Michael will be off to keep the older kids. With how Ben is feeling, I can't imagine taking him to church.
Michael takes Gabriel and Emerald to get donuts and then to play at the park while the doctor sees to Benny--he has a viral infection (cough) and pink eye (the eye crusty) and diaper rash (thanks, doc). He calls in a prescription and tell us to use a humidifier, nasal suction, saline drops, and to wipe off the eye-gunk with a warm washcloth several times a day. The annoying part there being--of course I am all ready doing ALL of those things, but at least we are getting eye drops.
Funny story there: when we got to the pharmacy to pick up the drops, the pharmacist looks puzzled and says "we tried to call you--the doctor faxed over a prescription of eye drops with a diagnosis of diaper rash??". Michael and I had a good laugh over that.
That was this past Sunday, so where are we now (Thursday)? The pink eye is almost completely gone and is thankfully no longer contagious; the cough is finally gone. The diaper rash is worse than ever and is developing sores, so Monday if giving it fresh air and using barrier creams have not improved it at all, we are headed off to the doctor AGAIN!
Pray that nothing else happens--Gabe only has two half days left to make it through until he is out for the summer, let there be no more illnesses!!
--Andie--
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