Thursday, July 21, 2011

Update: not JUST strep

In case you were wondering, it wasn't an allergic reaction to Zithromax.  They ALSO both have Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease.  They both responded to the antibiotics: their throats got better and Sam was a million times better this morning after his shot. 

HF&M Disease is a virus so as I am sure you know, there isn't anything we can do for it really except wait it out. The steroid cream Dr C prescribed isn't working on it, and now Sam has the rash, too.  So for that, we wait and do Motrin.  *Sigh*  At least the fevers, sore throats, vomiting, and diarrhea are gone.  All we are left with is nasty looking sore hands, feet and mouths.  Which I should have known...didn't I describe the symptoms exactly?  Good thing I am not the doctor.  Wish Ben had been home to diagnose them when the rashes really hit fully.  When he saw it, it wasn't as bad and it was mostly on Jack's hands, but today when he came home to sleep and took a look, he confirmed.  And DUH to me, I took them to church last Sunday and they were sanitizing hands because HF&M had been going around.  Monday night is when symptoms started.  This is what their hands and mouths look like almost exactly.  Their feet aren't as bad as these pictures.

http://www.primehealthchannel.com/hand-foot-and-mouth-disease-pictures-symptoms-causes-and-treatment.html

Anyway, I did find a way to get out myself and get the prescription and Motrin I needed.  We had a long night last night, but they were almost completely back to their normal selves this morning, terrorizing each other and running around the house fighting "bad guys."  I think we are through the worst.  I managed alright.  :)

5 comments:

  1. last night, while i was feeling sick on the couch, i stumbled on Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. have you seen it? well, there was one scene that reminded me of your situation and i just busted up laughing.

    there's a mom (ashley judd) with 3 kids. husband is working and wont be home that night. kid 1 comes in and says, "mom, #2 just pooped the bed!" so she jumps up. long story short, she has 3 kids all puking with violent diarrhea in the middle of the night. she's trying to get a handle on the situation... and then she steps in poop. at that point she starts to bawl.

    i hope you didnt cry. or step in poop. or have a nervous breakdown. im glad you got through it, and i hope you get to treat yourself to something yummy or pretty once this is all over!!! hang in there!

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  2. I also thought of that scene in the Ya-Ya sisterhood when I read the first blog. Except I don't laugh on that part, I cry! It is SO extreme, yet we moms have been there.
    Colleen, I wish I were closer so I could come help you! Glad things are starting to normalize again.

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  3. I just don't know how you ladies with children handle these situations. You all are so emotionally mature and strong-spirited.

    My biryani turns out bland and I have an existential melt down. Like, seriously melt down.

    Colleen, I know you will get through this. Just make sure you are taking care of yourself as well because you seem very busy taking care of everyone else. And they are lucky to have you!

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  4. I have to tell myself I am essentially a single mom regardless of if Ben is here or not, so that I EXPECT to have to shoulder things alone and I am used to figuring out how to do it. I have great church friends here who will come to my aid when I am desperate, and I just do my best to train my kids to be independent and well-behaved. (note: I said do my best...) There are bad days (everyone has those tho) and I end up in a warm bath with candles, a cup of hot chocolate, and my favorite book, but they are not the norm. And when Ben is here and CAN help, I just look at it as a nice bonus. We do what we need to do and he does what he needs to do and when we can all be together, we are, and he and I can be alone, we are. I have a lot of hobbies and outlets that I use to relieve stress and get me-time, and I don't work anymore (as of May), so even though the last week has been trying, I remind myself that I have essentially had the last 6 weeks of vacation...Every day CAN'T be vacation, and every day WON'T be trying. That is the mindset I try to keep at the forefront of my mind anyway, but I have weak moments for sure.

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  5. Oh you poor dears! I'm so sorry you all had to go through this! Hopefully now it has all cleared up and you are all back to normal.

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