H1N1 has hit our house.
Thankfully, only in the mild form. I thought my kids had it all at the beginning of October because they were all sick with the flu. NO. Not so lucky. Now its H1N1. There is nothing that can be done because it’s just a flu. So Josh has gotten it today. He was complaining on Tuesday about his sore throat and he had a cough. Wednesday he threw up at cubs, he came home, went to bed and had a low grade fever 38.2C. In the morning he was not feeling any better and his cough sounded like a seal bark and he was having troubles breathing. I took Josh into urgent care because he was complaining of chest pains, not being able to breath, I could hear a wheeze coming from him and he had a croupy cough. I took him in and nope, not croupe, but H1N1. Hmm… nothing I can do or nothing the doctors can do except watch him and make sure his breathing doesn’t get worse. He had all the symptoms listed on the AB Health Website.
Doc couldn’t hear any wheezing and said his lungs were ok, but the infection was deep in his throat. So Josh is off school until Monday and I’m taking a few days off work. Which I’m kinda mixed feelings about, cuz I was on a roll and had landed a few contracts and wanted to keep going. Ah well. It always seems like when I want to take some time off, the kids get sick so I’m forced to take time off.
I hovered over Josh and kept asking him every 30 min how his breathing was. He was getting annoyed. He’d say, “Nothings changed mom since the last time you asked. I’m still the same.”
So I laid off the constant questioning and distracted myself by watching Dexter, Heroes and Smallville. Every time he walked by, I’d still ask, with the same answer.
Luke was sick yesterday. He was lethargic all day and took 3 naps. He had a high fever last night 42.2C I awoke in the middle of the night and I just felt this urgency to check on him. I rushed over and felt him. He was burning up. I ripped off his blankets and took off all his clothes except his underwear. I woke him up. Made him drink some water and gave him a dose of Tylenol for fever. Within 10 min his temp went down to 39C. I relaxed and put a light blanket on him, then went back to bed. When Luke woke up in the morning he was his usual mischievous, talkative self.
Brandon is next to get H1N1. He is complaining of all the things Josh did. His throat is sore, he is coughing and he feels like throwing up. I told him he was getting sick and would not be able to go to his Halloween party at school and would have to miss his special day. He was crushed and it almost broke me. I was so sad that I couldn’t send him to school, but at the moment he is contagious. The doc said that once the first symptom shows up that they are contagious for 3-5 days after that. So I don’t want to get more kids sick at school. I was heart broken for Brandon when I saw the look on his face. He hid his face and I could see tears well up in his eyes. He’s such a strong silent type. He always hides his emotions and pretends that he doesn’t care, but he’s just as sensitive as the rest of my kids, just puts his emotions inwards.
I took him on my lap and cuddled him. I told him that we’d have waaaaaaaaay more fun at home than at school anyway. We’ll carve our pumpkins, make cookies and decorate the house for Halloween on Saturday. The kid just made my heart ache for him. I almost wished that I hadn’t said anything to anyone about his symptoms and sent him to school, but that wouldn’t have been right either.
My girls are totally fine. I’m watching them closely though. This virus spreads quickly. My friends are freaking out. I’ve got numerous calls asking advice about the shot they are giving out. I’m not going to get it. I don’t think it’s going to prevent anything because it takes 4 - 6 weeks to take effect and we are smack dab in the middle of the pandemic and my kids already have it. I’m not getting the shot either. I’ve got a great immune system. My body craves the stuff it needs to fight any viruses. I get sick once a year and I’m hoping that this year I can dodge the bullet. I’m taking lots of vitamins, trying to get lots of sleep, drinking my peppermint tea and eating lots of fruit and veggies.
Ryan came home today and took a nap. Then he came home at night and he thinks he is coming down with H1N1 as well. Yikes. He’s always getting sick so I knew it was just a matter of time before he got sick. He’s got all the early symptoms; the sore throat, the cough and he’s getting lethargic. I told him he needs to take time off work, but I highly doubt that he will.
If he kicks the bucket I’m gonna kick his arse cuz the life insurance is only a million and I don’t see how he expects me to raise 5 kids on that. A million doesn’t go as far as it used to and me, being the spender that I am, would probably stupidly spend it within a very short period of time. His excuse for not getting anything more was that he didn’t want to pay for my new husband’s fancy sports car. To which I quipped, “Oh honey, don’t you worry. The next guy I marry is gonna have money. He’ll already be driving one. Don’t kid yourself. My money will be pocket change….. and besides, it’s not going to be for HIS fancy new sports car. It’s going to be for MY fancy sports car.” HA! hehe… all in good fun tho. He knows I’m teasing him…. well…. actually, I’m not. I’ve made plans. Plan B. Everyone needs one. You hate to use it, but if anything happens. You just slide effortlessly into Plan B.
Is that messed up? Well…. that is how my mind works. It’s quite dark and I dare not reveal all my darkest thoughts for I’m sure I’d be committed.
And if it’s me that kicks the bucket, then hellz bellz! I’m excited for that adventure. I think it will be a total blast. I sooooo look forward to not having to eat, sleep and go to the bathroom. My 3 biggest pet peeves in life. Everything would be so much better if you didn’t have to deal with those 3 annoying earthly tasks.
I suppose I’ll just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
