It has been a rough two weeks in our household. We have had sickness after sickness after sickness. All of us have been hit, except for Stephen, who has been traveling 4/5 weekdays both weeks.
Last week was manageable since I was on Fall Break. This past week, though, I was back to work. Monday was fine. Totally fine. Until it was about time to go to bed, and I thought I felt a fever coming on. I kept taking my temp (we have one of those forehead ones, you know what I'm talking about?) but it was always normal. But I didn't feel right. I even fell asleep with the thermometer in bed with me, just in case.
I woke up at 4 AM and I just knew it. Took my temp... yep, 101. and my temperature is normally around 97.2, so that's even higher on me. My head ached. Not a normal headache- like an "I can't sit up or my head is going to blow" kind of headache. I somehow managed to email a few people that I'd be out, managed to wing some plans. I also somehow got the kids up, dressed, and driven to daycare. I also managed to drive myself to the doctor. People, I don't know how this happened. I shouldn't have been allowed on the roads! Doc said I had a nasty virus that's been going around, causing vomiting, high fever, headache, chills, etc. (I was like, the flu, maybe? But she didn't test me for it). I went home and slept for 5 hours. I knew I'd wake up feeling better.
Nope.
I made the call. "Mooooommmmy??" My sweet mom was down at my house in an hour. I couldn't even lift my head. I was throwing up. I couldn't even think about eating or drinking. My awesome mom took care of my 3 babies for me- fed them, bathed them, put them to bed. It was a rough night's sleep for me that night. My mom got the kiddos up on Wednesday, dressed, fed, and to school. I was still in bed, though I was starting to feel a little better. Still sick, but better. I think any improvement from the day before made it feel like I was 10,000 times better by default.
I was definitely better that afternoon, but my sweet dad came and stayed with me. No more headache, no more throwing up, I could actually walk around and eat.
Back to work I went on Thursday. All was well. My phone rang in the middle of my 2nd period class (whoops!) and I checked it, didn't recognize the number (I've been getting so many election-related calls that I assumed that's what it was), sent it to voicemail and carried on. Sydney's teacher texted me that she had a bad headache and was laying down, missing PE and recess. She didn't have a fever. I told her to text me if it got worse and I needed to come get her. About an hour later- yep, she was crying, saying her head was killing her. I figured it was the start of what I had. I got coverage for my classes, I am heading to the school, and the school nurse calls me. The first thing she said was, "Did you get my message?" Doh. I told her no. What an awesome mommy moment. Turns out, Sydney fell getting on the bus at daycare and konked her head really hard on the stairs, and she had called me that morning to let me know. She had an imprint where her "hippy" headband that went across her forehead (70s day) had hit her head. Well, now Sydney had thrown up and the nurse was worried about a concussion. She said the fact that she hit her head hard and had a headache and was throwing up but no fever was not normal. I told the nurse I was on my way. I also called the pediatrician to let them know and seek advice. The doctor was going to call me back.
So, I get Sydney, we go home, and she is miserable like I was. Headache, throwing up everything, couldn't get off the couch. She now had a fever. Thankfully, Stephen came home this afternoon, got T & P from daycare, and could help out. The doctor called me back and we decided it must be more so because of the virus, not so much the head injury.
Friday morning, I go to work and Stephen stays with Sydney. Sydney is completely lethargic. Not moving, crying, throwing up, fever, etc. Stephen took her to the doctor to get her checked out, and first of all, she has strep. Second of all, the doctor was very concerned about her lack of any energy. Sydney couldn't even squeeze the doctor's hand. She told Stephen to take her to CHOA to get her checked out, in case there's something more going on because of her head injury.
Stephen leaves me a message that they're heading to CHOA (I remembered to put my phone on silence this time!) and when I get it, I of course want to be there with them. I was given permission and was out of there in no time.
At the hospital, Sydney was pathetic. The doctor and intern that were working with her said her vital signs were all good, but they were stumped by her lethargy. They were debating whether or not to do a CT scan. The doctor really didn't want to do one if we didn't have to because of the radiation it emits. They gave her meds and waited one hour to see how they affected her. Nothing. Finally, they forced her to get up and walked her to the refrigerator to get her a popsicle. it was a miracle worker! She, slowly, got back to her normal self. They did a neurological exam and deemed her okay enough not to have a CT scan. And just like that, after 6 hours, we were discharged! They diagnosed her with a concussion from the day before. I think she also had that virus on top of it, plus strep. Poor thing!
She was good through Friday evening, but started to feel bad Friday night (Halloween) and Saturday morning. After that, however, she has been fine since. Thank goodness!
So, a fresh start is what I am praying for this week... one where we are all healthy, one where I can be at school to actually teach my kids, and where my babies are healthy and learning at school. I am d-o-n-e with germs. DONE.
Poor baby!
after the meds and the popsicle! Feeling better!
Feeling so good she brought out her acting skills! Before, during, and after her sickness. (all taken within 10 seconds)
Getting unhooked! We are out!
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