I don't know if I would really be able to understand these viruses if I didn't have three kids and ample time to study their effects and patterns. However, as I am appropriated the honour of nursing my little darlings back to health, I make sure to take notes for when the inevitable occurs and either Jonathan or I succumb to the bodily fluids that get coughed on us, sneezed on us, kissed on us, and wiped on us all day long. And so it is that I have met Connie Cold. Connie presents itself as a typical cold, mild croup like in its symptoms and sounds. Somewhat dry in its nature, Connie continues on in each unsuspecting individual in this manner. Day one and two of the cold appear to be much the same, however day three brings an unwelcome surprise... fever. It started with Caleb, and this sweetheart of a boy just lays everywhere when he is sick. He wakes up, and goes to lay on the couch, he lays on the kitchen floor while I make dinner, he lays downstairs and just looks around at the kids. He does not often whine, he does not often complain, he just "rests" and pretty much melts my heart. I wish I could spend all day cuddling this sweetheart of a boy. On the eve of his fever day, I asked him if he wanted to lean on me (lean back on my belly while we watched TV), he smiled as if that was comical and said, "ya mom, I would like that, but I'll hurt your baby (as if, 'don't you KNOW better mom?!?!?!)". SO SWEET, even while he is sick, he thinks of others.
Selah was running a bit behind, and usually she is the one to get the least sick and oftentimes she doesn't get sick at all. She definitely has the strongest immune system, but when she falls, I know that I am not far off from the inevitable. She got the cold, but it did seem milder than the rest, and sure enough, a couple of days after Caleb, she woke up last night shaking and crying, trying to walk downstairs. She couldn't sleep and was dreaming about fire, and wanted to go play her computer game. I rushed to pick her up because she was trembling and I felt fire. I have NEVER felt a fever that high (explaining her dream I suppose). Every breath was laboured, and with the crying it sounded like a whoop with every breath in. As she was immunized for whooping cough, I tried not to over-react. But of all the colds I have experienced in my children, that was one of the worst reactions and definitely the worst fever I had seen. Of course, you can guess that every thermometer in our house has a dead battery so I was unable to confirm my theory, but I laid with her until the medicine kicked in and her breathing was less laboured as I was too concerned to go back to bed. When Selah is sick, she cries, she moans, she makes sure that everyone knows it. With mild sicknesses I lose patience quickly, last night I just wished I could take it all away. My poor little princess, she sounds the same this morning. But sure enough the fever has broken and she is happy as can be!
Malakai, ever-eager to follow in his sister's footsteps, decided to follow suit this morning. Waking me up with screams. A fever more like his brothers, but he obviously is not feeling well. I got him medicine and cuddled him until it kicked in and now sit sipping my coffee with the sounds of him and Selah running circles upstairs. Amazing what one little tablet of children's advil can do!
And now, I feel it. In my nose, in my lungs. Sneezing, tired. This week is Jonathan and my 5th anniversary, we can't afford and can't find anyone to watch our kids so we can go away, so we planned instead a nice date night, full of shopping, dinner, an auction, a movie, etc. However, if we truly are getting Connie, I know to expect fever day to hit tomorrow or the next and am dreading the thought of cancelling this much-anticipated evening in favour for chicken noodle soup and a night in bed. :(
And so it is that I have deciphered Connie's whimsical ways. I highly doubt with all the slobbery kisses that I will manage to escape her wiles, but at least I know what to expect. The worst is yet to come. But after about 12 hours, I should feel better and be back to "just a cold". Happy holiday's everyone!
