We've had a LOT of unwelcome visitors over the last 6 months or so.
We lock our doors and keep our shades drawn, but nevertheless, they somehow seem to creep in and wreak havoc on our lives.
They come with no warning, like a burglar in the night and leave our world turned upside down.
These visitors especially like to bother our kids.
Their visits often leave the kids gasping for breath, throwing up, scared, and always in tears.
When they visit, we get little sleep, household chores get neglected, Mom and Dad get stressed out, and all sense of normalcy flies out the window.
Sometimes they stay a few days, sometimes weeks.
And when they finally do leave, it usually takes us all at least a week to get our lives back in order.
These unwelcome visitors I am referring to here are viruses.
I hate viruses.
Especially when they attack my kids.
No matter how much hand washing and sanitizing I do, the kids have caught everything this season.
They've had cold after cold, sometimes with only a few days break in between viruses.
The colds have lead to croup, which is scary breathing difficulties that mainly occur in the middle of the night.
They've had the stomach flu (and yes we even had the flu shot!).
They've had roseola, a virus with a HIGH fever and accompanying all-over body rash.
They've had roseola, a virus with a HIGH fever and accompanying all-over body rash.
They've had ear infections.
And most recently, they all had bronchiolitis, which is the scariest virus we've encountered to date. There was wheezing and gasping for air. We made 3 doctor visits and one ER visit in 2 days. They were on antibiotics and inhalers. Their fevers were HIGH (105 degrees!). I was on the phone with the doctor and nurses several times every day. The kids were miserable. We were scared. It lasted forever. I thank God it's over.
Heeding the doctor's advice, I am quarantining them for the rest of cold/flu season. I withdrew them from preschool. I don't take them to the nursery at M.O.P.S. anymore. No going to nurseries at churches. No Children's Museum. No McDonald's Playland. Basically, we are staying away from all places that are crawling with other germy kids.
We still do playdates, but only if all participants are 100% healthy and germ-free. We go to parks. We play outside at our house. We go on walks. We visit family. We drive around and watch airplanes, trains, trucks, and construction equipment.
Sure, we miss the social interaction with others and I'm sure some people think I am being too protective, but I would do anything to keep my kids healthy.
So to all you "unwelcome visitors" out there, STAY AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE!!!
I actually wrote this post over a month ago, just never got around to posting it. Since then we've gotten hit with another bout of the wretched stomach flu and now are fighting yet another nasty cold. Will it ever end!? I guess the quarantine solution is not so effective.
I actually wrote this post over a month ago, just never got around to posting it. Since then we've gotten hit with another bout of the wretched stomach flu and now are fighting yet another nasty cold. Will it ever end!? I guess the quarantine solution is not so effective.
2 comments:
I hear you Sawyer and I have been sick eight times in the last year. We don't leave the house. People think I'm crazy, but I don't care they don't have to deal with it. Get better. Thanks for the sweet sleeping comment you left me the other day. Nat
I’m just as paranoid! We stayed home for six weeks because I didn’t want Milo to catch anything. The first day we go out to play, Nolan gets a respiratory infection and croup! Of course Milo was right behind him, but not as bad. We aren’t going anywhere else until the summer! I even skipped out on a second birthday party over the weekend because the birthday girl woke up with a runny nose. I don’t care if I seem crazy or overprotective. Nolan lost almost two pounds while he was sick! I just can’t risk it.
I hope your babies get and stay well and that you are able to take care of yourself too!
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