"Fwo-Up" Buckets

Bug with her fwo-up bucket

The stomach came and did its damage in 5 days. It hit all 5 of us and I.am.done.  Ugh!  The baby and I got it first. I think he might have been the carrier and if he was then he picked it up in childcare. I'm sure he was sucking on some toy from some other kid who was carrying the virus. Ugh, ugh, ugh!  Childcare in the gym in pretty good and they try to disinfect everything, but it's hard.

I had it on Thursday and by Saturday I was probably at 80% and feeling 100% by Sunday.  The baby was at 90% on Sunday and is 100% today. Thank goodness!  He's had issues with weight gain and I was really worried when he didn't want to eat for a few days. Fortunately, I am still nursing and that was enough for him while he was sick.  He's back to eating solids and I'm really happy about that.

However, my poor Boogie woke up around 4am and started throwing up. I heard him run to the bathroom. Then he started crying and yelling, "Help, help!" Of course I was nursing the baby and Hubby got up to take care of him.  He gave him a "fwo-up" bucket (a wash basin) and Boogs put it to good use over the next several hours. Poor guy. Every time he finished he would yell, "Help, help!" At one point Bugs woke up and saw him. "Daddy, Daddy, my Boogie is fwoing up, help him!"  She was distraught that her best friend was so sick. She was happy that she was able to share her fwo-up bucket with him.

That's right, my daughter has her own personal "fwo-up" bucket.  She got it when she had the stomach flu over a year ago.  She became so attached to it that she's kept it by her bedside for over a year. Yes, we did disinfect it many times over.  After numerous months, it finally made it's way to underneath her bed. I tried for months to return it to the basement with the other basins, but she'd always pull it back out. So underneath her bed it stays.

Boogie stayed in bed most of Sunday. He never stays in bed so he was definitely sick.  He got up for a little while in the afternoon, but after a dinner of dry toast, he went straight into bed forgoing a bath.  I'll remedy that today. He was so tired and sick he didn't want his usual bedtime story and just wanted to sleep.  Even though he hasn't thrown up since 8am yesterday, Hubby and I thought we should play it safe and keep him home from school today. Especially since he hasn't really eaten anything in 24 hours.  However, he is up fussing at his sister, listening to audio books, and now playing MarioKart on the Wii. I'd say he's better.

When Hubby came home from Church I went to the gym. By the time I came back I noticed Bug had a fwo-up bucket next to her. I looked at Hubby and he said, "Yup, she has one, now." She had thrown up while I was gone. I was only gone 1 1/2 hours.  I had stopped on the way home to pick up something from my parents. In that short time, she became sick.  Gross. But now, she had her own bucket and she carried it everywhere. It's like a pet!

By dinner time, Hubby looked at me and said, "I don't feel well." He had given the kids toast for dinner and skipped dinner. After Bug's bath she emptied the contents of her stomach in her fwo-up bucket and we had to change her into another set of clean pajamas.

By the time we had gotten both kids into bed, Hubby went straight to bed himself. By that time all 3 of them had "fwo-up" buckets next to them.

My poor family. Five people down in 5 days. That's got to be some type of record. Fortunately, this stomach bug is quick and the actual time being sick and gross is about 24 hours.  It takes another day to feel better and to have most if not all of your strength back.

Today, I will be spending my day doing laundry and disinfecting the house. Wish me luck! Even thought it's only 30 degrees outside, is it bad that I want open my windows? I really want to get rid of these germs!

Stay healthy!

Out of the Woodwork

Several days ago my son complained of neck pain when he woke up.  I took note of it, wondering if he slept funny and had a crick in his neck. (I also jumped to meningitis in my mind, but decided to watch him all day). He did just fine. The next day he complained of neck pain and then of a headache to the point where he was crying so hard and begging me to make it stop. All I had on tap was infant motrin. My Hubby wasn't home and I couldn't take the kids out to get more medicine so we rode it out. The kids went down early and Boogie woke up around 8pm full of tears and warm body. By 9pm his temperature continued to rise. I called the advice nurse hotline and was given some tips about what to do, but no appointment. 

The next day, my son continued to complain of neck pain and a headache, along with pain in his ears, cheeks, under his arms, knees, legs, and toes.  Being 4, he is able to describe everything. Hubby had bought Children's Motrin before coming home the night before and give it to Boogie in the morning. It seemed to make the pain more bearable, but it did not make it go away.  After some back and forth, I decided to call the doctor. The whole neck pain thing really worried me. I went to college around the time of the meningitis scare where several people had died. I remember several classmates in college going to the health center scared of having meningitis and getting checked out.  So I was ultra-sensitive about Boogie's concern about his neck.

When I called the advice nurse again, she made an appointment for us and also encouraged me to tell the doctor about the tick bite my son had had a month ago.  Unfortunately, my regular (and wonderful) pediatrician was on vacation and we were given to a nurse practitioner who had never seen us before.  We went up for a rapid strep test in the lab and came downstairs to pediatrics. We love the ladies in pediatrics. I've been there so often for Buggy's ear infections and well-baby check ups that they know us all by name. We were checked in and waited.

By this time Boogie's medicine had worn off and he was achy again and getting grumpier. He was less than helpful with the nurse practitioner and she snapped at him at one point. (Me, not happy).  Buggy was getting antsy and I was juggling both kids. While we were there the NP spoke to another pediatrician and she came in for another examination.  They said they were concerned and wanted to do a spinal tap on my 4 year old son. They also said something about meningitis and brain (all that I didn't process because my mind went to active mode of what needed to be done next).  They said they wanted to a Lyme disease test first and do some blood work. And then would move forward with the spinal tap. Being late in the day they would call us with the results and more than likely send us to the hospital.

As soon as we finished the lab work, I headed home and started making plans. I needed someone watch my daughter so that my husband and I would be available to go to the hospital.  My parents weren't home from work yet and I needed someone who watch her in the interim.  I absolutely hate asking for help because I never want to impose on anyone. Everyone else has their own families and I would never want to be an inconvenience. I have one friend who lives just minutes away that I could have called in a pinch, but she was already away on vacation for the summer.  I did what I thought best and posted on FB to see if anyone was available. It was the best way to reach a large group of people and at the same time, no one would have to feel awkward that they would have to say no.

I am very blessed. People came out of the woodwork to offer support. Whether it was to watch my daughter or to say prayers, they were there.  I am so touched and so blessed that people would take time out of their day to write something or to offer help. While all were friends, some of them were colleagues who I haven't worked with in years or maybe haven't seen in at least a year if not more. All were people that I kept in touch with on a regular basis through FB.  All were caring and supportive. I am so grateful. The first call that came in was from a good friend who is a volunteer firefighter at a nearby firehouse. He was at the firehouse at the time and offered to come immediately. Having daughters just a year older than my little one, I knew that he would be fine. Another friend offered to come and spend the night if needed. Several sent me their numbers (as our only form of contact had been FB), and others said to call them anytime. Others offered prayers. I feel so relieved that I had group of people to fall back on when I felt completely frightened and drained.  

A few moms posted the possibility of a viral infection. Never having experienced a viral infection before, their information was very helpful and made me realize that Boogie's condition could be less serious that first thought.  Come to find out all of the lab work came back negative. My son is definitely fighting an infection. But the instructions that came back were: if the conditions worsen, call us back.

My son seems to be on the upswing. He has more energy and his appetite is slowly coming back.  He is still complaining of aches and pain and he even walked himself upstairs to his room for a nap yesterday.  He is still fussy, but seems better overall. We're still keeping an eye on him.

I feel foolish alarming friends and family. But at the same time, it was all a real possibility of having to take my son to the hospital without having someone to watch my daughter.  While feeling foolish and posting the results on FB to let everyone know, I received many reassurances that I was not foolish.  That was really nice because I really do feel quite foolish.  I believe in the power of prayer and I believe in the love and support of friends. I had all the above. My son is doing better and so is my heart. I am so grateful for the many friends we are so blessed to have. Thank you!

I'm No Florence Nightingale

Last night my 3 year old son came down with a stomach virus. It's been going around around the preschool set, but hasn't hit our school yet. But I have noticed through Facebook that many of my friends and their children have been coming down with it.  My son was given a clean bill of health exactly 36 hours before he came down with the stomach bug.

My husband and I had gotten the kids to bed early in order to fully enjoy the much anticipated LOST Finale season premiere. I was feeling guilty that I was giving up 3 hours to sit in front of the television.  But my husband and I were looking forward to a little down time. It was the perfect setting: the snow was falling with the possibility of hubby having a day off, our favorite show was on, the kids were in bed, we had popcorn, we were together. It was perfect!

Then at 10pm, 2 hours into our LOST evening, my son begins screaming for my husband. Terrified screams. At first we thought night terror and I offered to run up and take care of him, thinking it would take only a few minutes.  Seven hours later, several buckets later, several wardrobe, and bed changes, it was evident that my son had a stomach virus.

My husband took over 3 year old duty and I was given 1 year old duty. My daughter woke up crying when my son started screaming.  I think I was given the better end of the deal.  My daughter and I finished watching the end of LOST while my husband changed sheets, soothed our son, found buckets, lysoled everything, washed sheets, and stayed up until 5am with our son who vomited for 7 hours every 20-30 minutes.

I am no Florence Nightingale. I can handle the basic sick symptoms, but vomiting is just not where I'm at.  I'm a total wimp when I'm sick. I hate being sick, I hate throwing up, I'm pathetic.  I want to be taken care of when I'm sick. In my mind, misery loves company.  My husband on the other hand wants to be left completely alone. He wants to be in bed by himself curled under the covers. He doesn't want anyone talking to him or taking care of him. He wants to do it alone and be miserable alone. He's pretty easy, but it's taken me years to realize to just leave him alone. For years I tried to take care of him the way I wanted to be taken care of when I was sick. Now I know he does better if left to his own devices.

So what did I do when I realized that my husband might have to go to work the next morning? I panicked. Utter panic! How am I going to take care of a child who is vomiting constantly and consistently while taking care of another younger child who will want to be in the midst of everything? I asked my husband to take a sick day and help me and he said, "I don't think so." WHAT?!? "I don't think so?" What does that mean?????  Let me also say that I came down with the stomach flu three times last year. This was with a newborn and a 2 year old.  Nothing like having to nurse a baby every 3-4 hours and take care of a two year old while you are sick out of both ends.  Every time I was sick I had asked my hubby to stay home and take care of the kids so that I could be sick and not worry about them. It just so happened that my sick days did not fall conveniently in his work schedule. He was either in meetings or giving a presentation. Not something he could easily leave and do later.  There was no one I felt comfortable enough to ask to take care of the kids and really who wants to come over and take over 2 possible carriers of the stomach flu?  So when hubby said, "No" I panicked. I curled up on the couch and tried to sleep while my son was sick while hubby took care of him. I get no points on the mommy scale. None at all. I left the caregiving to my husband. I hate vomit, and I was trying to figure out how I would handle the next morning.I was feeling abandoned and I was useless.

 My husband took care of our son for 7 straight hours.  He washed multiple bedclothes, cleaned out multiple buckets of vomit, soothed our son, and jumped every time our son called from his bedroom.  My husband gets mega points for being an incredible dad.  Even though he said he would probably go into work, my husband stayed up until 5am taking care of our son.  He got up at 8:30, he's taking a shower, he's going to shovel the drive and then drive to the store to pick up gatorade, crackers, and soup.   He's even going to try to get in to work.

Our son seems to be on the upswing. He's had some water and he's kept it all in.  He's sitting and watching a Thomas video while the baby is playing with a stuffed animal in the living room.  When our son woke up he called to me and I sat with him in the bathroom for a measly 30 minutes making sure that the water he was drinking was going to stay inside.  I get maybe a half point.  I will finish washing and putting away the sheets, pajamas, and disinfecting tubs.

I think when my husband heard me ask for help he thought I was being overly dramatic. When I heard, "no" I felt abandoned and left on my own. We both jumped to the extreme: me not having enough confidence in myself that I could handle a very sick little boy while caring for my daughter, and my husband saying, "no" as a reflex because he thinks I'm being overdramatic.  We really need to listen to each other. I need to feel supported and encouraged, and I need not to jump to him as my failsafe.  So my first marathon of child vomiting is a FAIL. I'm very lucky to have a husband who jumps in and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty.  I just wish he didn't shut me down right away and said, "no," but I'm comforted in knowing that even though he said, "no" he still jumped in and took care of our son when he most needed it.

Ever Have One of those Days?

Yesterday morning started out like any other morning in a harried mother's life.  The lottery for our application registration for my son's preschool was scheduled on a Monday morning at 8am. Doors close at 8:05am. A head count is taken and then the process begins.  Try getting out of the house with two small children, ages 1 and 3, by 7:30 in order to get to the school before the doors are slammed shut for registration.  Of course, my kids have been sick, and of course they are on nebulizer treatments so this means my 3 year old is up bouncing around at night until 9pm until the effects of the treatment wear off.  This is not conducive to waking the children at 6:30am!

The night before I asked my husband to make sure I wake up when his alarm goes off at 5:30am. This would give me enough time to shower, eat breakfast, put ingredients in the slowcooker for dinner, pack all the things we need for our day because we wouldn't be back until 4pm (this includes the extra change of clothes for a 3 year old who still has occasional accidents with going to the potty) and possibly make a dish to bring to my friend's house for our playdate.  I woke up at 6:15am to the sounds of the shower running. FAIL!!! I'm already 45 minutes behind. I have a tight schedule. I can't be behind!!!!  I bolt out of bed to my husband's bewilderment.  I head down the stairs and start putting together a slowcooker meal. He comes down and helps, but I'm already jamming with all the needs to be done. I managed to prepare dinner, take a shower, throw a load of laundry in, and wake up the 3 year old by....7:25am. FAIL!!! Now I have about 20 minutes (if I still plan to make it to the lottery) to change and feed both children and get everything out to the car. Still not done:  me eating breakfast (I completely forgot), meal for friend, nebulizer treatment for the 3 year old.

I manage to dress and feed both kids waffles in the car. We left at 7:53, arrived at the school at 8:03am. We are literally running through the parking lot. Me clutching the baby likes she's a football and the 3 year old trying to run in snow boots. Oh, yeah, did I mention it's winter? So we need jackets, mittens, hats, and boots?  The principal opens the door to the lobby and says, "Take a deep breath, we haven't shut the doors yet."  I'm near tears by the time I sit down...tears of relief, tears of frustration. My adrenaline is pumping and I'm thinking...it's only 8:03am! How can I be stressed and anxious at 8:03am!!!  As I'm trying to collect myself, another mother who I recognize from the school with children near the same age as my own has the same frazzled and worn look about her. She whispers across the aisle, "I can't believe I made it. My kids haven't even eaten breakfast yet." We swap stories about our morning as we wait for the lottery.  By the end of the ordeal I got number 46 out of 50 for the lottery. Which means that I'm way down the list for getting my preferences for classes...but I'm pretty sure that my son will be enrolled next year.

Scene 2: Go home because it's still another 45 minutes before our follow-up dr.'s appointment. This is our fifth appointment in 3 weeks. My daughter had a double-ear infection and my son had pneumonia.  This was our final appointment to get see if we get a clean bill of health and we do.  But before going we stopped at home so my 3 year old can get a nebulizer treatment. This is when I also realize that I have yet to eat breakfast. I call my husband to fill him in on the lottery and I eat breakfast while my son gets his treatment.  Then it's another mad dash out the door for the doctor's appointment.

Scene 3:  Doctor's office. The kids get a clean bill of health. Yay!!!!  But of course I decide, "Hey they're better, let's get them immunized and vaccinated." Nothing like being a glutton for punishment. Both kids were given the H1N1 vaccine and my daughter was given one of the immunizations needed at 15 months. Both kids are crying, however, the sweet moment of the day happened when the 3 year old told the baby, "Don't cry, it's okay" even though his tears were still glistening in his eyes. We make it out of the doctor's office, in one piece.

Scene 4:  Playdate!  This was the highlight of our day. I have dear friend who was once my college roommate. If she still likes me 13 1/2 years later, then I'd say I'm pretty lucky.  We have children close in age. Our first borns are 3 weeks apart and our 2nd borns are 6 months apart.  Not too shabby.  Even though her family lives an hour away, it is so totally worth it for us to make time to get together. Our children love playing with one another and this gives us a chance to catch up. This was the rejuvenation my soul so needed. The kids played while we chatted away. By the time we left my patience was back, the calm had returned, and I was right where I needed to be...being a positive energy for my kids and husband.