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The last week has sucked for my family.
Last Monday, my wife took our daughter to the pediatrician because we had some concerns that she's been extremely fussy, especially around bed time. We've both noticed she has been having problems with nasal congestion, and have suctioned a large amount of drainage with a bulb syringe. She'd also been running some low-grade fevers no greater than 100. I'd also noticed she was tugging at her ear lobes frequently. The pediatrician said her ears had some excess wax buildup, but no signs of infection. The pediatrician also mentioned the possibility of roseola causing the fever because she had seen several recent cases. In short, there was no solid answer.
By Wednesday, we were starting to have additional concerns because she was having some rashy spots, and the fevers were getting higher. I was also concerned that she wouldn't eat or take much fluid at a time. I had to work 3-11, on Wednesday night. My wife called me toward the end of my shift to inform me that our daughter's fever was approaching 104, and she was concerned about giving her more medication. She wanted to know if she should go on to the emergency room or wait on me. I told her to go on, and I'd meet her there after work. I went home to get a quick shower and check on the dog because any ER visit we've ever had has been a long, drawn-out ordeal. I already knew it was going to make for a long night. At that point, our daughter was crying inconsolably because she was miserable. She wouldn't eat or drink much of anything. We were starting to worry about the possibility of dehydration. The ER staff tried to get her to drink. She wouldn't drink. They took some blood samples to see if the infection was viral or bacterial. The white cell count was high, indicating a bacterial infection. They took urine to see if she might have a UT infection. No signs of a UT infection. They tried to administer an IV to get her rehydrated, but had trouble sticking a vein. We finally had to use an oral syringe to get fluids in her. It was 6:30 in the morning before we were discharged. We were flat exhausted. My wife took a sick day since she works a regular 8-5 job. I was able to get some sleep before I returned to work at 3, but still felt like living death because I have sleep problems and couldn't take my sleep medication because it knocks me out cold.
My mother-in-law did take a couple of days off from work to come help us take care of her granddaughter because we were both wearing down in trying to take care of everything. That did help, and we're both grateful for her help.
I worked 3-8, Thursday evening. I decided to mow the yard after work because the weather forecast was calling for rain. I was already dead tired from Wednesday night's visit to the ER. I got the yard mowed except for one small patch near the alley because the mower ran out of gas. My allergies have been a bitch since Thursday night. My chest hurts from all of the congestion and coughing, my throat is raw from drainage, my nose itches like crazy, I keep having sneezing fits, and I keep feeling like I'm going to cough up a lung. Every time I take a shower, I cough up more crap.
On the plus side, our daughter seems to be feeling better. She is finally starting to eat and drink again, and she is finally starting to laugh and play again.
I know my wife is equally tired and wore out from lack of sleep and worry, just like me. We've neither one really complained a lot because it really does no good even though it is a common trait of human nature. I can't say for sure what her complaints are even though I'm sure they're probably similar to mine.
If you've beared with reading this rant, thank you for your sympathy. If you've not, I don't blame you. I just mainly wanted to vent because I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.
Last Monday, my wife took our daughter to the pediatrician because we had some concerns that she's been extremely fussy, especially around bed time. We've both noticed she has been having problems with nasal congestion, and have suctioned a large amount of drainage with a bulb syringe. She'd also been running some low-grade fevers no greater than 100. I'd also noticed she was tugging at her ear lobes frequently. The pediatrician said her ears had some excess wax buildup, but no signs of infection. The pediatrician also mentioned the possibility of roseola causing the fever because she had seen several recent cases. In short, there was no solid answer.
By Wednesday, we were starting to have additional concerns because she was having some rashy spots, and the fevers were getting higher. I was also concerned that she wouldn't eat or take much fluid at a time. I had to work 3-11, on Wednesday night. My wife called me toward the end of my shift to inform me that our daughter's fever was approaching 104, and she was concerned about giving her more medication. She wanted to know if she should go on to the emergency room or wait on me. I told her to go on, and I'd meet her there after work. I went home to get a quick shower and check on the dog because any ER visit we've ever had has been a long, drawn-out ordeal. I already knew it was going to make for a long night. At that point, our daughter was crying inconsolably because she was miserable. She wouldn't eat or drink much of anything. We were starting to worry about the possibility of dehydration. The ER staff tried to get her to drink. She wouldn't drink. They took some blood samples to see if the infection was viral or bacterial. The white cell count was high, indicating a bacterial infection. They took urine to see if she might have a UT infection. No signs of a UT infection. They tried to administer an IV to get her rehydrated, but had trouble sticking a vein. We finally had to use an oral syringe to get fluids in her. It was 6:30 in the morning before we were discharged. We were flat exhausted. My wife took a sick day since she works a regular 8-5 job. I was able to get some sleep before I returned to work at 3, but still felt like living death because I have sleep problems and couldn't take my sleep medication because it knocks me out cold.
My mother-in-law did take a couple of days off from work to come help us take care of her granddaughter because we were both wearing down in trying to take care of everything. That did help, and we're both grateful for her help.
I worked 3-8, Thursday evening. I decided to mow the yard after work because the weather forecast was calling for rain. I was already dead tired from Wednesday night's visit to the ER. I got the yard mowed except for one small patch near the alley because the mower ran out of gas. My allergies have been a bitch since Thursday night. My chest hurts from all of the congestion and coughing, my throat is raw from drainage, my nose itches like crazy, I keep having sneezing fits, and I keep feeling like I'm going to cough up a lung. Every time I take a shower, I cough up more crap.
On the plus side, our daughter seems to be feeling better. She is finally starting to eat and drink again, and she is finally starting to laugh and play again.
I know my wife is equally tired and wore out from lack of sleep and worry, just like me. We've neither one really complained a lot because it really does no good even though it is a common trait of human nature. I can't say for sure what her complaints are even though I'm sure they're probably similar to mine.
If you've beared with reading this rant, thank you for your sympathy. If you've not, I don't blame you. I just mainly wanted to vent because I'm sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.
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