Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Pukeageddon


The last 30 plus days will forever be known to me as Pukeageddon. It has been completely surreal and frustrating. We have tried to find the humor but it has been a stretch. In the end I am just extremely grateful for healthy children.

It all started on January 20th. We had to cancel Sydney's first birthday party because Elizabeth had gotten sick to her stomach. That was really the beginning of the end. From that day on we have only had a one week stretch where someone hasn't been throwing up in our house. Abbie was next to get taken down. She was so worn out at one point she could not lift her head or stay awake. Pretty scary stuff to watch your child go through.

The height of pukeageddon visited us on Valentine's night. Nothing says romance like disinfecting your house after multiple children have been sick. If you are a Goonies fan, imagine the scene where Chuck is describing the movie theatre puke stunt he pulled to his captors. That was our house for real. The next best description would be the scene from the Exorcist, you know what I'm talking about.

Elizabeth, Sydney and myself were sick for the next 5 days. E was sick for much longer. To the point where it becomes scary. She went 7 days without eating. She visited the doctor multiple times, had blood drawn and every other screening imaginable. Her abdominal pain was so severe they decided to do an X-Ray.  They found an enormous gas bubble filling both intestines. They retook the X-Ray the next morning bubble gone, pain remained and she still wasn't eating. However she was no longer vomiting so that was viewed as a sign of improvement. The next step we were told was to take her to Children's hospital in Chicago. We decided to monitor her for 24 more hours.Thankfully she began to improve. Slowly eating more and complaining less of abdominal pain.

We were clear for 2 days before Abbie got sick for the third time in the last 30 days.  It is at this point as a parent you feel helpless. We are doing everything we can. Keeping them as separate as possible,  washing sheets,  bleaching touchable surfaces, washing our hands to the point they are bleeding. I have even used disposable plates and cups and hand towels. I am convinced at this point the only thing left to kill this SuperBug is to call in an air strike on this house.
 
I know in the grand scheme of things this is small and this too shall pass. It has just become our entire life for more than a month, so I deemed it necessary to go into the "you remember when" category. I am extremely grateful for all of our friends and family who have been so concerned and supportive. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in our life.
 


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