Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween

None of us have caught the flu. We were downing those fizzy vitamin c drinks and stinking up the house with our Garlic breaths.

Big girl is up and about. She is ready to go and trick or treat. We got the big bag of candy. She has a lot of energy, no fever since day two and she is eating everything. I want her to take it easy. It is a warmish night. I say OK you can trick or treat only on our block. I didn't want her walking around too much. We fashion some homemade costumes.
The three year is old is tired of it all quickly and not only refuses to go out to check out the trick or treaters, she yells at the ones who come to our door for candy.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

H1NWHAT!

Day ?

She’s eating! She started this morning complaining about her belly. She was nauseous and sick. She smelled sick and her cough was croupy and seemed to hurt.

I was ready for her to be better. I already went to the health food store and got some elderberry, her favorite drinks, little clemitine oranges, staples for soups for when she was feeling better.

First she asked for some crackers and then soup, tea, some fruit. She wanted toast! Yes! She is on her way to healing. I am so relieved!


Monday, October 26, 2009

Swine Flu Diary

No fever! She’s sleeping a lot. When she wakes up she is not hungry. She doesn’t want to come downstairs and be with us she just wants to rest. When she finally wakes up she has to be coaxed to drink. She moans that her stomach hurts. Her head hurts.

She wakes up at 9:00 PM and is up. She has no appetite. D and I are working in the living room and dining room while she is laying on the couch. We give her a vitamin c lollypop which perks her up a tiny bit. I sit with her. I try to breathe. I try to take care of myself, so that I can take better care of her.
I regret watching the special on the swine flu! Kids in hospital, on oxygen.
My kid moaning.
I feel like something is trying to get me. My throat has that weird scratch before you get a cold. Fuck you flu! I felt run down but had to maintain. I have a scratchy throat. I think I’m dizzy.
Turns out I was just tired. I woke up fine the next day.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

H1NWhat!!

She woke up complaining about her stomach and chest. She had slept in one of her little sister’s dress(don't know why) and thought the pressure was coming from having worn something too tight and it was compressing her chest.
I was about to leave for work and I went in her room to talk to her and see what was happening. She looked terrible. I touched her skin and immediately knew had a fever, she had pains, she was crying. Her head was hurting, her eyes, her whole body. Took her temp. 104 fever!
Offered her something to drink and she asked for ice water.

I immediately called the doctor. The docs office phone was busy, busy and finally I was put on hold and then a nurse picked up. She said all the symptoms sound about right, it’s the flu. She won’t say the word! She said a lot of folks coming in with those same symptoms. "DON'T come in!" Give motrin and tyn. repeatedly. Only c0me in if she has breathing issues.
"Breathing issues?"
"Yes, she is struggling for breath or turning blue!"
Only then should we go in.

That was it? Where was the test?
"The doctor could call you if you have more concerns."
"Yes, please."

She ate when the motrn kicked in. She had four hours of feeling good and as that motrn effect wore off she was back to feeling awful.
Doctor called 7 hours later. She casually said my daughter had H1N1. Doc said go ahead and give her another dose of pain reliever. We gave it to her and she was up and talking. I'm not big with meds. The kids respond to a good diet and thoughtful assessment of what is missing or should added. Like vits or cod liver oil. Always with the garlic in the food.

We gave her garlic and ginger to chew. But it was amazing difference when she had relief from the fever and body aches. She was eating And drinking, watching television. Even playing with her sister. She rested.