The February Plagues

It deserves to be documented that the McClish family lived through and survived the never ending plague that hit our house in February. The 3 of us were completely blindsided, when after the birthday festivities concluded, we unknowingly entered a season of catching every know childhood illness.

It began with the dreaded ear infection. Oh how I despise ear infections! If I could go back to The Fall and just explain to Eve about ear infections I don't think she would have been as tempted. Our daughter had a runny nose one day and the next thing I know she has a 102 fever and crying non stop day and night. Thankfully I keyed into the symptoms right away and took her to the pediatrician who confirmed my suspicions with not one, but 2 (or double) ear infections. After an inconvenient trip and wait (remember constant crying) at the pharmacy we started amoxicillin and thought we seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Unfortunately the double ear infection was just the beginning of our journey. While we were seeing the doctor he also found Julianne had the dreaded RSV virus. I noticed she was sort of wheezing in the sort of way you'd think she was suffering from emphysema but shrugged it off as congestion. The next afternoon though she seemed to be struggling to breath so I took her back to the doctor. A 30 minute wait (they were fitting us in), brief examination, and co-pay later, we were told it was not that serious and if she got to where she was taking 60 breaths per minute to bring her back or take her to the ER. Great....just what you want to hear on a Friday afternoon when the office is closing. Thankfully, it didn't escalate that far and truly looking back it was the most minor of our issues.

This pic has nothing to do with this post...just thought it was funny...

Enter: Hand Foot and Mouth Virus. Literally days after the RSV incident I noticed Julianne was starting to break out in pox like sores all over her mouth. Her diaper area had them too and it was quite alarming. She was MISERABLE. It was like she was having an ear infection times 3! Even worse we had no idea what the heck was going on! Was she allergic to the antibiotic? Was it something she ate? Hives? Chicken Pox? So once again, I called Dr. Porter and made an appointment during nap time so we could find out what the heck was wrong. He took one look at her and explained our girl was suffering from Hand Foot and Mouth disease. These pox pus sores were developing on her hands and feet and throat at this point too. Unfortunately it is also a virus so we had to wait it out. Two sleepless nights later (she could not get comfortable) she began to take a turn for the better. I asked if Andrew and I could contract this terrible mess and Porter said it was very unlikely since most adults have some sort of immunity to the disease.

Famous. last. words. Valentines day was coming and we had plans! We had reservations and babysitters lined up and couldn't wait for a night away. However, Andrew woke up with a fever and couldn't leave bed all that day. I encouraged him to get a throat swab just in case he was getting strep so he did. Strep it was! We cancelled our date and spent the evening on separate sofas watching rented MoneyBall. Then I made a bed on that same sofa since I was terrified of contracting strep! One of us had to stay well! The next day I disinfected the whole house, washed the sheets on hot water, and opened all the windows. Our baby was not going to get strep! Thankfully she didn't....

You'd think this saga would be over, but remember how we weren't supposed to be able to get Hand, Foot, and Mouth? Well, unfortunately it is possible. Especially when your immune system is down from something like strep. So you guessed it, Andrew got the Hand Foot and Mouth. He described it as the most miserable thing he has ever experienced and said he would rather have the stomach flue 3 times. He said it itched, then hurt. He couldn't walk since his feet were covered in the sores. Couldn't eat since his mouth and throat had them, and couldn't sleep since they itched and hurt constantly! Four vacation days (his office doesn't have sick time...joy) later he was back to his old self but not before much suffering.



Somehow I managed to escape it all. I don't think it was my killer immune system or vitamin supplement, but only the grace of God! I suppose we are better for it, and truly I am so thankful for a healthy baby who can fight this stuff. Still, I appreciate days when we all feel good around here.



Nathalie