The kids have been sick. Now for most people their little colds would be nothing. For me it was a moment of complete and utter fear.
At first, I kept saying “OK all the kids have it”. Then the big kids got better. And Joey… he got worse. but he had clinic so I wasn’t going to panic. We arrived at clinic on Friday, the doctor told me she wanted a Chest x-ray, just in case. my heart stopped. I felt I could not breath. Isn’t this how it started. But Dr. W promised to call if anything was wrong.
So I get no phone calls and go about our merry business. Joey seems to improve, not 100% but better than he was. And then… the fever starts. Now, ever since he was little the rule has been fever means admission, automatic. Especially with symptoms. especially with coughing and “junky lungs”. So I called the doctor. I start packing a hospital bag. its the middle of the night. I’m ready to cry, as Joey, fever of 103 and cough and all RUNS though my house laughing and screaming.
And the doctor tells me the chest x-ray shows a viral pattern… a COLD. Nothing to panic about, keep him home and monitor, this is all to be expected. And I celebrated. not him being sick, but the fact that he is considered “healthy ENOUGH” to be home while fighting off a bug, AND that his lungs are looking so healthy other than a cold. I celebrated the first chance to be “mom” at home when he is truly sick, with a fever. granted, its a cold. However its the first time he has had a fever like this since December, and then it was a blood infection. This time, it was nothing.
So to me, when kids get sick it stops my heart, I panic, I grab my phone, throw together a hospital bag, and prepare to take him in. And when they tell me he can stay HOME, I breathe again, I start to cry, and I unpack the bag I was throwing together.
Now, he is pretty much back to himself. The fever had broke by morning. He’s been non-stop ever since. Our way of celebrating? We made s’mores in the driveway, using the BBQ. Which the kids loved. Had to get rid of the stick we used for the pinata, seeing as JJ had been trying to beat his sister and brother with it… so it became s’more firewood.
After the week I’ve had the kids went off to grammas for the night, and will spend tomorrow enjoying Pretend City while momma relaxes, breathes, and SLEEPS soundly, knowing that someone will check on him tonight.
