Oremus

I have just a couple of minutes before Q's ibuprofen really kicks in. His fever went from 101.3 to 100.3 in about half an hour, thanks to the last dose. I'm popping in to ask for prayers. We're having a cold. One of those very sore throat, barky/croupy coughing kind of cold. This particular bug, having hit Q's neuro function as they often seem to do, has left him jumpy, with much crying, plenty of coughing, and a gag-reflex that's so sensitive that he lost his supper last night because the homemade mac and cheese wasn't perfectly smooth. Perfectly smooth mac and cheese equals glue, so I didn't want that... Anyway, we wore it. This morning he kept down the pears and blueberries, all two ounces of them, but lost about half of his Boost (FKA: Just For Kids). Avert your eyes if you're nauseous or have those kinds of "issues." I could tell that it was about half because it had no red medicine (guaifenesin and a decongestant) in it, nor any of the herbal stuff for inflammation that's violently yellow. It was just plain white. Hallelujah.

Before I run off to drip some more 1.5cal/ml stuff into his little head, I'm asking for some prayers. My arms are pretty tired from carrying the snuggly punkin around. I know he's losing weight -- yesterday was not a good eating day either -- but he's still around thirty pounds. My back can take this, but my arms and shoulders are waning, I'm afraid. His respiration rate was 32 breaths/min. while he was sleeping. I'm pretty sure that this is due to the fever, which tends to be a bit higher than the readings I can get -- after this many kids, I find that I'm pretty accurate when just feeling for the temp, you know? I'm guessing that he was closer to 102. Dehydration may also play a role, so I'll have the cup of water and syringe for him in just a minute. He's not sleeping very well. His nap today was about twelve minutes, though he could clearly have used more. I started him on Xopenex and Pulmicort last night because it's clear (to me) that the inflammation in his bronchii is driving most of his discomfort and inability to swallow. I see no spots or other signs of strep in him or any of the other kids, just croupiness (so far). Nighttime tends to be significantly harder when he's sick. The virus seems worse, my arms more tired, the options fewer.

Honestly, at this point if I thought it would have an impact on the duration of illness, I'd take him in for IV rehydration, not because he's so desperately in need of it (though I'm watching), but because aspiration is always a risk, orders of magnitude moreso when his tone is floppy as it is now. And because he needs to have some calories and then sleeeeeep. And because aspiration risk rises and just plain freaks me out when he's crying through an entire feeding.

So if you don't mind praying, we could use it. The big kids aren't liking this bug, but it's not affecting them the same way. They can swallow medicine and it's helping them pretty quickly. They're having tea and other soothing things as well, listening to audio books, lolling in the sunshine, and generally lying low, but none feeling as sick as Q.

K made grandma a big old pot of tea when she was feeling yucky with the same bug a few days ago. It was much appreciated, and no one will ever bring up to her that it was Organic Mother's Milk Tea. "To Promote Healthy Lactation." I considered using this to introduce an object lesson on reading the whole phrase, vs. just the beginnings of words or phrases, but I think I'll find another opportunity. One that does not involve me laughing 'til I'm breathless.

And, because I was going to post the following last night (but became waylaid with, well, let's just say "laundry")...

I just love PW. Check out her recipes, her gorgeous pictures, her hunky hubby, her homeschooling posts and information. If she weren't so nice, I'd be just a smidge jealous. (grins) She's an inspiration, especially in the smart, um, alek, department.

Hope you're enjoying the spring -- we've hyacinths and violets, birds gathering twigs for nest building, daffodils and tulips and fluffy pink cherry trees. Aside from the wretched throat/not eating thing, it's pretty nice here.

XO.