"If he has trouble breathing, bring him in immediately," the nurse practitioner said earlier today. Or was it yesterday? I’m so tired. I’m typing in the dark, watching Charlie sleep. Listening to his breathing. It’s 3:56 am.
I’m fully dressed in middle of the night emergency attire. Yankees baseball cap to cover bed head and big bags under my eyes. Wrinkled first-I-could-find shirt probably on backwards. I’m writing to stay awake. 30 minutes ago I carried Charlie’s burning body downstairs and got ready to take him to the ER. He was glassy-eyed with a very high fever and coughed a horribly painful cough when he tried to speak. We looked at each other nervously.
We were doing our rounds, Susanne and I, shooting grape-flavored Motrin into the mouths of our two other kids.
Three kids with the swine flu.
Charlie is propped up on the couch and sleeping well at the moment. The ER is on hold for now. Don’t think I can keep eyes open much longer. No ketones and decent blood sugar thanks to some aggressive basal adjustments and an injection when he was high before bedtime. I shutter to think of how he would be if he had large ketones on top of everything else. Yesterday, the pediatrician prescribed Tamiflu (which was actually hard to find as it’s flying off the shelves around here). The endo agreed, then said no and then said "well, OK." I wish someone had a clue. We went with our gut and gave him the Tamiflu.
No, this is not just like the usual seasonal flu with a different name like so many people are saying. This flu is very, very nasty. I’ve never seen my kids this miserable. They look terrible.
It’s scary.
5:01 am. I must sleep now.
Carey, this must be so scary. I'm saying prayers.
Oh... how I wish we could help more.. the Tamiflu compound taste better then the actual Tamiflu.. They use cherry syrup to make the compound. Please know we are praying for ALL of you.. sending get better fast vibes your way!!
Scary stuuf - remember to take care of yourselves too - you need to so they have the best care!! Positive thoughts to your family!
So sorry to hear this, Carey. Keep us posted. Thinking of you guys...
Your family is in my prayers Carey. Can U and Susanne take little self-care breraks, where you sleep for a couple of hours and she takes over.. I know you aren't allowed to let any friends or relatives come over to help, I do not think...Please try to get some rest for yourselves...I am concerned for U all
God Bless,
Brunetta
Thank you all so much! Last night was really frightening. I mean, really frightening. Still early yet, but tonight seems better. The boys are coughing less and have lower fevers and are sleeping peacefully at the moment. The girl is another story. This has hit her the hardest. Fever keeps creeping up to 104 now on day 4. Oh, and now Susanne has it. Ugh!
P-A-R-T-Y. I greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. We're hanging in there.
Sorry to hear Susanne now has it. I'll keep saying those prayers.
Thanks Bernard. It seems as if the Tamiflu lessened the severity of the flu. The boys started taking Tamiflu early on and are doing better than the girl, who wasn't on Tamiflu. Something to think about for those out there with young kids or kids with diabetes who get hit with this nasty flu.
Holding all of you in the Light, Carey. Hope you don't come down with it too! I'm glad the boys are doing better.Hope the same can be said soon for the "girls."
Love to all,
Deb