Sick and Recovering
My husband was traveling towards the end of last week and last weekend. Connor and I were on our own Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (except for when he was at daycare). I had everything under control and was enjoying the bonding time with my son, despite missing my husband.
Friday night my parents gave me a break and took CJ up to NH with them. I met everyone at the lake on Saturday afternoon. We took CJ to the beach to play in the sand for the first time and he loved it.
That evening we had a cookout with some friends (including my friend’s two boys that are CJ’s age). Sunday my mom and I squeezed in a little outlet shopping and then we all went out on the boat. I should have known something was wrong when CJ slept on me (even in his life jacket that he hates) the entire way to lunch.
Once we got back to my parents house CJ was so hot. He didn’t even wiggle around when we were getting him changed for the car ride home so we knew something was up. He slept the whole way home and as soon as I got home I took his temperature only to find it was 104.1! After giving him some Motrin I took him straight to the ER.
Thankfully my parents met me there about 30 minutes later so I wasn’t alone with him. The ER doctor said he thought it was a virus and to just wait and see if the fever went down (after giving him some Tylenol). So we waited…and waited. Finally, we knew he was feeling better because he was bouncing around and chowed some Cheerios. Since we hadn’t seen a nurse or doctor in a few hours I went out and asked them to just let us go home since it was 9pm and way past CJ’s bed time. Ahhh the ER.
The next day he was still miserable and still had a temperature so I took him to the his doctor. After doing a ton of tests the doctor thought it was some type of virus, but sent us home with some antibiotics just in case it was bacterial. Mike came home at this point. Boy was I happy he was home.
The next morning CJ had a rash that was spreading quickly all over his body so back to the doctors we went. Right away the nurse (who’s also my cousin’s wife) guessed what it was and the doctor confirmed. CJ had hand foot and mouth disease. It’s a stomach bug accompanied by a rash all over and sores on the throat. Sounds painful, huh?
So, there’s been lots of sleeping.
And snuggling.
I think he’s finally on the mend. It was really heartbreaking seeing my baby this sick. I have only seen him with a cold a few times and that was nothing like this. The only positive thing that came out of this week was that we got to spend lots of time together and he actually wanted to sleep on me and hang out on the couch watching TV.
I will admit this has been a tough week to be a working mom. I’m trying to juggle things, but also took a few days off so that I could just focus on CJ. Boy was it nice to just be a mom for a little bit instead of trying to do everything and be everywhere.
On a somewhat related note, I haven’t exactly been drowning in free time so I decided to take this as a recovery week for myself too. I have been lifting pretty heavy 3 days a week and doing a ton of kettlebell swings and snatches for conditioning. I was starting to feel a little burnt out last week so this week I have been focusing on getting in some movement and stretching. I’m using lighter weights and just fitting in workouts when I can. Priority number one is taking care of my sick kid. Priority number two is making sure that I don’t get sick too. I have been worried sick and my body is run down so it can’t handle the stress of hard workouts right now.
Check out this awesome post that Molly Galbraith wrote about times to push it and times to not the other day. How appropriate.
Anyone else’s kids ever had hand foot and mouth disease? Do you ever purposely take it easy for a week with training when you know you’re stressed mentally or physically?
Oh WOW, poor thing!!! Both of you! That must have been so hard and trauamtic too, seeing him that way. I am glad he is on the mend and I bet you are glad this week is over.
It was terrible. The only godd thing was spending more time with him and the fact that he actually wanted to sit still and snuggle. haha
CK got it
It sucks because it’s so contagious so you have to keep them isolated for a while. I guess it’s contagious after the symptoms go away too. After the rash he got little blisters all over his feet and some on his hands. Then his feet peeled and he just recently lost his toe nail! Which I think might be from that even though he had it a while ago. It’s a nasty little virus I hope he feels better soon!
Yes! It’s super contagious. I actually tried to bring him to daycare today bc he was totally fine yesterday and I thought the doctor said once his fever was gone for 48 hours he wasn’t contagious anymore. They said he still had a rash so they wouldn’t take him. Then they called me back and said he could have come bc they talked to healthcare and they said that if it was already at the school it didn’t matter (5 kids already had it!).
Awww!! The poor little man, that is awful!! I am so glad he’s feeling better now and that you’ve had time to spend with him, focusing on being the best mom around and not being so scattered and pulled in a million directions. Enjoy the weekend together my dear. xo! PS. I love the new look of the blog!
It was really nice to just be a mom, but it is much nicer to see my smiley, happy, laughing kid again.
You’re right – SO happy it’s the weekend! (Thanks about the blog!)
Awww – We had that a month ago (they say its unlikely for adults to get it….yeah. I got it. It was HORRIBLE. I think my daughter handled it much better than me. LOL.
Hope he gets well fast!
Oh no! I actually have a really sore throat and I’m totally freaking out that I might have it too.
You all have been in my prayers! Glad the little guy is on the mend!
You are so sweet. Thanks Maria! Much better yesterday and today.
My son had HFMD and OH MY GOSH it was terrible. He had a high fever that came on quickly, and he would SCREAM when I tried to feed him. He didn’t have a rash so the doctor didn’t know what it was (and gave him a steroid for croup). But then I came down with it. I had a fever and the worst sore throat ever – the throat thing lasted a week. I agree with a commenter above – my son handled it better than I did.
YES! It was terrible. CJ is a big time eater and has literally never missed a meal until this past week. He would take a bite or two and then be done. He’s back to his piggy self and feeling better…thank goodness! I have a super sore throat, but I’m seeing if wine takes care of it.
I am so sorry to hear how sick CJ was! How stressful that can be for any parent and so sorry to hear you were on your own with Mike away for this. Hang in there!
As for taking a break training, I do sometimes when I am super overwhelmed, overworked and of course when my kids needs me. It’s hard to juggle being a mom but also finding time for yourself.
Love the new look of the blog, BTW!
Thanks about the new blog. Yes, it was really stressful…Mike was away and then CJ got sick right at the tail end of it. It was basically almost 2 weeks without daycare since there was that Monday holiday too. So stressful. Just glad he’s feeling better and hopefully we’ll be back to normal (if there is such a thing) this week.
I know you juggle an awful lot too and can understand!
Miss you!
Poor guy!! I hope he’s feeling better. HFMD is the worst especially because there really isn’t anything that you can do to make them feel better. My youngest son had it worse than my oldest. The rash and sores just looked HORRIBLE. And, both boys were kind enough to pass it on to me. Thoughtful huh?
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