Yesterday was so scary, gut wrenching. I can’t remember the last time I felt so out of control. Lennox started with a low grade fever Saturday afternoon along with a cough that’s been hanging around for about a week- both of us have had this lingering cough and I’ve been monitoring him diligently. So many of the kids at his preschool have the same cough so I wasn’t “too” worried… until yesterday. Lennox’s temp started to rise, about 102.5 in the middle of the night. My husband and I gave him Tylenol and less than a minute later he vomited the entire dosage. We got him in a tepid bath and did our best to lower his fever. He went back to sleep in our bed and the fever went down a bit. So grateful he got some rest… In the morning he was lethargic, pale and quiet, (not like my loud and boisterous happy boy) his temp was back to 102.5 so we immediately went to the doctor. He didn’t want to sit while we waited for the doctor to see him, so I read while he stood in front of me listening attentively. Out of nowhere he threw up all over himself, me, the room. We were drenched. I did my best to wipe us off as they escorted us into another room. I realized my foot was wet, yes, throw up made it to the sole of my rain boot. So here we are, waiting and waiting, soaked in his vomit, Len is in socks, I have one rain boot on and I’m trying not to cry as I cradle my baby boy who is now shaking. We did every test under the sun. Results came back negative for the flu and strep. They said he has an ear infection but why was he throwing up?? One doctor was worried about appendicitis and I was a little too close to spinning out. As she was pressing on his belly and he was saying it hurt, I experienced one of those helpless moments where I could either crack and freak the “eff” out, or I could stay calm and just follow all the steps the doctor was giving me. I stayed calm- something I’m not that good at, and as another doctor came in to examine Lennox’s belly as well, I began to relax as she explained that he would complaining of pain if it was indeed his appendix. They were doing all the “routine” tests to be thorough, which I appreciate but also think it creates unnecessary fears in us parents. I don’t know. Maybe I’m being overly sensitive? I’m a worrier, so sometimes extra info isn’t good for me… anyway, no appendicitis and still not sure why Lennox was vomiting. The doctors said they little ones just do that sometimes when they’re sick.
Another fun lesson I learned was that fevers rise in the afternoon. I’m getting Lennox ready to nap, gave him his first dosage of his antibiotic and taking his temp. 106.5. I LOSE MY SHIT. Well, I stay calm for him, but on the inside I’m in knots. I get him undressed and in a tepid bath. He’s crying, mad at me, wants out and to cuddle. My heart is breaking but I know I have to cool him down. So I cover him with wet wash cloths and slowly pour water on him. His hot skin warms the wash cloths almost immediately. I FaceTime my mother in law who is a nurse and she calms me down and reassured me that I’m doing the correct things for Lennox’s fever to go down. Meanwhile, the doctor calls me back and also reassures me that I’m taking the right steps.
Loooooong story short, he cools down to about 104 and I take him out of the bath. I get a diaper on him and put him in my bed with a cool cloth on his forehead. He falls asleep. I can breathe. Kind of… My hubby comes home from work about 1 hour later and we are just sitting on the bed and watching Lennox sleep, silently knowing what the other is thinking. Thank God Lennox is sleeping and his fever is going down. I’m so grateful for our pediatricians, for medicine that helps my baby, and for my family that lovingly supports us.
After a long night of Lennox sleeping in our bed, I’m happy to report his fever is down to about 100 and he’s “happily” watching Paw Patrol. 🙃 I’m prepared for the afternoon fever to rise, I’m much more calm than yesterday and pretty proud of myself. Not always the best in crisis, but definitely getting better at it. Stronger and more confident.
I am so blown away by all of you parents who conquer scary fevers to the worst imaginable illnesses. I bow down to your strength. I’ve never been more proud to be a part of the “parent tribe” than I am now. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
So much love and respect,
Amy❤️
Oh Amy! We have been there, it’s exhausting all the worry and feeling helpless. Well done on pulling through, you doing great. Thanks for sharing the good and tougher times.
Thank you so much. We’re all in this together❤️
OMG. I have tears in my eyes from hearing my little nephew is sick and especially with a high fever like that. How SCARY!!!!! I am so sorry mamas. My best friends daughter has feveral seizures and whenever she gets sick, her fevers are that high too and it’s something that they constantly have to monitor when she is sick. I can’t imagine the feelings and thoughts that went through your head. Aaaah. I love you guys, much love to you three. Hope Len Len feels better soon.
Oh honey thank you. Scariest day ever. He’s sleeping in my bed now. 🙏🏻
His pain may be caused by swollen glands in is belly my daughter suffers with it if she gets really poorly her pain will flair up after eating maybe that’s what made him sick I’m not a doctor obviously but thats what my doctor told me about my daughter. Hope little man is better soon x
Thank you so much 🙏🏻 and thank you for sharing that.
When our son was very sick we almost lost him if we didn’t bring him to the hospital. He had a fever of 104 and he was throwing up and had very bad diarrhea and I mean bad where he couldn’t sit cause his butt was so raw from wiping so we kept his underwear off and that seemed to help him. Long stories short since he wasn’t eating and drinking not much liquids he was servely dehydrated that we almost lost him because of it. His eyes were sunk in and he was very white. We tried everything but after the 3rd day he was lying on the bathroom floor almost dead. We rushed to the hospital and stayed the night he had 3 bags of fluids in less than an hour the drs are amazing and my baby boy is a happy healthy 9 year old this happened 3 years ago and I will never forget praying as hard as I could to not lose my baby boy. So thank you for sharing with us. I now know after 3 kids lol that you can do Motrin every four hours as well as Tylenol just rotate it so we do this now we give Tylenol first and if the fever doesn’t break we give him the Motrin. I’m so glad he’s getting better and I will be praying for peace and health and comfort for you all. ♥️
Omg. What a story. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 thank you for sharing and thank you for your well wishes. 🙏🏻❤️
Oh my GOSH. As a momma,reading this brought me to tears…because it made me remember when we had to rush our little guy to the ER for a high temp and vomiting like that. (It was 6 years ago and I still remember every single detail of that day..just the scariest). You are a GREAT momma,so caring and full of love! Sending you lots of momma strength and the biggest hugs!! ❤❤❤
So scary! I’m so sorry. Thank you. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️❤️
Oh my, I’m so very sorry for what happened. I too am a worrier (and a hypochondriac), so I am a mess when my kids get sick. It’s a helpless feeling and you don’t know how you’ll get through to the other side. But then one day, they do get better and you’re back into calmer seas. We’re all in this together! ❤️
I feel ya!! Thank you! We can’t stress ❤️❤️
Being a mom can be SO scary sometimes. Especially if you’re someone who is a worrier. My son (who was 6 at the time) got diagnosed with cancer and while he was on chemo obviously his had a low immune system. We had to avoid him getting sick through one of the worst flu seasons ever last year. He did get fever a few times during those months he was on chemo and it was truly the most terrifying feeling in the world. I would constantly feel and check him multiple times a day and especially before sleep just to make sure he was ok. He is thankfully cancer free and back to being a kid. He just turned 8. I hope your sweet boy gets better soon!
Thank god!!!! Wow. Supermom!!! So happy your son is cancer free🙏🏻 god bless!