I made a promise to myself last night that were the boys (or myself) to get any worse in any way this morning, we would head to the doctor’s to figure out what was wrong with us.
And so when I woke at 8:45am, after another generous sleep in provided by Pal taking a second day of sick leave, I did a visual and mental stocktake of both myself and the boys.
Oscar’s rash had worsened.
Fraser had come out in enough spots to warrant a rash rather than an oddly placed pimple.
And I still had a razor sharp throat, a newfound appreciation for hydration and panadol and itchy feet and hands.
Off the the Doctor’s Clinic we’ll go.
No. Stop. Do not pass go and do not collect $200. There is no room at the inn at the clinic.
Go to the barn instead.
And so it was I found myself in the Emergency Department of our small regional hospital feeling very stupid telling the nurse about some low grade temps, lethargy and a rash.
When her eyebrows raised that tiny millimeter in a maneuver that I’m sure all nurses are taught in their very first placements, I pointed out we tried the local medical clinic and were told they were booked out.
She knew. She’d been notified at 9am.
The raised eyebrow must be ingrained after so many years experience.
We were shuffled into triage, the boys were assessed and weighed. The nurse tickled and distracted to get blood pressures and oxygen sats.
She has obviously done this before.
No one was immediately dying so we were shuffled to the consult room next door.
“Won’t be long.”
Three words every mother in any Emergency Department of any hospital knows to take with a shovel load of salt.
Lo and behold, within an hour the doctor arrived.
The Two were disrobed.
“Oh.” said the doctor.
Also an ingrained response taught during medical training.
The “oh” that implies nothing and everything at once.
“It’s obviously viral.”
Yes. Obviously. To a doctor.
I nodded.
“It looks like the early stages of Chicken Pox…”
Um, what?? Are you kidding me? How the hell would they get that??
I look alarmed.
The doctor points to Roo: ” She’ll be next.” Very matter of fact.
“Actually, she had a temperature and was quite ratty with a sore throat on Thursday.”
The doctor nods.
“I think she gave it to them. She’s been immunised and they haven’t?”
I nod.
“They’re booked in for theirs next week.”
The doctor nods again.
“I think it’s Chicken Pox, but it’s a bit early to tell. When the sores turn to blisters you’ll know for sure.”
Oh, great.
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. You got lots of Panadol at home?”
“We’re headed to the chemist after this.”
“You’ll need lots.”
Point taken.
“Calamine lotion?”
The doctor nods again.
“OK, so is there any point at which I need to bring them back? Like how do I know it’s gotten bad?”
“Oh, you need to watch Him [nods at Oscar] for pneumonia. Bring back for that.”
Well, yes. I probably would bring back for that. What a relief.
So, it would seem the immunisation schedule is not merely another deadline mothers are given just to keep us on our toes.
Roo, fully immunised, got a sore throat and a low grade temperature for a day. Her behaviour was foul and made me cry.
I had Chicken Pox three times as a kid and have been immunised since. I’ve got a sore throat, sore ears and have been practically
unable to think and stand for two days. and now my feet are itchy.
The Twins, whose MMR vaccine I have delayed for two months due to Oscar having a bad local reaction to the 12 month immunisations and wanting it to clear up first, have what looks to be Chicken Pox.
We’re going on Day Three of clingy, sooky, whingy, lethargic, sleep deprived crankiness.
With added spots.
I think Oscar would have preferred another weird blister on his arm, causing no discomfort.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
If you need us, we’ll be at our house.
BYO face mask.
Oh dear. I hope they do not get it very badly.
Marita recently posted..I have learned – bacon makes everything better
Thanks Marita – they seem to have perked up a bit now, but the sores are multiplying so who knows!
I feel bad about laughing but even in crisis you’re still funny! Hope you all recover quickly! xo
Hatayisa, you of all people know that if I don’t laugh I’ll cry!
I hope you’re all feeling better soon. My son had chicken pox twice (before there was a vaccine) and my daughter had shingles at 7. (worse then CP!)
Oh no! Shingles sounds awful from everything I hear!
I haven’t had them myself but my Mum was in agony with them, my daughter didn’t seem that bothered by it. Chickenpox is bad enough, I got them at my high school formal, by the time I got home I was sooo sick, I ended up delirious over the next day or 2 and missed some of the graduation events because of them! I’ve often wondered if me having them so bad at 17 has anything to do with my kids getting them twice and getting shingles.
oh no! Hope you are all feeling better very soon. Keep that panadol up! xx
Lee recently posted..Week 19. 52 week project. Sun.
Thanks Lee! I’m sure we will!
Oh Daisy! I feel so sorry for you and am getting itchy just thinking about it. I am off to book Tobys 18 month injections right now! Hope things get better soon!
Jo @Countrylifeexperiment recently posted..These Boots Are Made For Walking
Oh man I wish I’d booked ours earlier! They’d probably still have gotten it but not as bad!!
Boo to the pox.
Down with the pox.
I hope this episode is brief – for the poor boys and you.
x
Mum on the Run recently posted..Point + Shoot : Monster Street
Thanks Shar xx
Can’t wait to catch up with how you’ve all been going – the internet is still not being my friend and I’m only managing to answer comments through the WordPress app on my phone!
Oh Daisy, I still remember having the chicken pox. Not Nice. Sorry to hear this.
Mandy recently posted..Food Patrol 90 Day Challenge: Forward Planning
Thanks Mandy! I remember having it as a kid and am only glad the boys are too little to understand that itching is temporarily a relief!
Daisy recently posted..A Pox On Both Your Houses
Oh no! Sorry to hear that. I still have scars on my tummy from my round of chicken pox! Hope everyone gets better soon.
Anna @ green tea n toast recently posted..A family divided
Thanks Anna! I still have scars too! One on my eyebrow that Roo often asks “What happen you? You hurt?” I’m sure it won’t be long and we’ll be back to our boisterous selves!
Daisy recently posted..A Pox On Both Your Houses
(Funny story about chicken pox and immunity… my Mum worked for a Paediatrician for 20 odd years and when they checked her immunity in a routine bloodtest after she’d retired, they found that she had never once picked it up and had no immunity to it at all)
Kristy recently posted..Last week of being a SAHM
OMG Kristy that is funny! She is either very lucky or has super powers!
Thanks heaps, we’ll be on the mend. I think we are through the worse of the lethargy and sore ears, and now it’s just sore heads, throats and spots to deal with!
Daisy recently posted..A Pox On Both Your Houses
oh no! hope it passes quickly for all of you. 3 times as a child!? you poor thing! my husband remembers Pox Parties when he was a kid, all the mums would get together and TRY to get their kids to get it, the younger the better, so they say! I remember having it and being miserable at about 12.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..The Interview
Oh sorry Daisy! That’s a big pain! Georgie got her needle yesterday, and even though she’s been super grumpy ever since, you’ve made me glad for her little grumpiness! Hope it passes as quickly and painlessly as possible!
Robyn (@slightly_deep) recently posted..Why bloggers are kind of like icerbergs…
How is the DR&2 clan fending today? Poxy pox. I hope it goes soon, I remember having it as a kid.. and it sucked massively. Loz x ps: for every sore.. promise yourself a Rekordilig when you feel better
Loz recently posted..#Janphotoaday
Only you could make chicken pox seem fun. I kind of want to paint myself spotty just so I can come hang out with you guys.
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Also, this proves that I did not send you an illness in the mail, as none of my children have had the chicken pod, and Ava is yet to be immnised so if they had, she would be a spotty dog like the two.
Jess recently posted..IBOT, the Linky Tips Edition
I’m so sorry they’ve got the pox, Daisy! I almost thought A had it last week – she had two spots, LMAO – but I rushed her to the GP who laughed at me and told me they were insect bites! How are the boys holding up today??
Oh no
I was wondering why you were quiet on Facebook of late.
I hope everyone is back to feeling alot better now xo