Type A

Flu, that is. Evan was diagnosed with Type A Flu. This is by far the sickest he has ever been in his 4 short years. It started Wednesday night with a pesky cough that kept him (and us) up from 2am-5am. We didn't think much of it because he was acting normal. Thursday aftercare called me and said he just wasn't acting himself. If you know Evan, you know he has one mode - GO! You can pretty much just look at him and know when he isn't feeling good.

John and I tag teamed Friday. He slept most of the morning, but his fever went down. By late afternoon his fever spiked again. Most viruses, I just let run their course, but I had been warned the flu was rampant this year, specifically by my mother via text. Gotta love technology.
Anyway, I made Evan an appt. He threw up right before we left. On our way, Evan got a very 'lights are on but nobody is home' expression on his face. I started talking to him but he wouldn't talk back. He'd shake his head yes or no, but wouldn't talk. He had complained of a sore throat, so I didn't find this too weird.

When we got to the dr office he went and sat down and was expressionless. I asked him some questions and he just shook his head. By this point I was a little concerned. I asked him his name - Evan. I asked him who I was - he mouthed mama. I pulled up a picture of John on my phone and asked him who that was and he shook his head no. I asked him two or three more times. I found another picture of John on my phone and he still couldn't tell me. I squatted down in front of him and said, "Buddy look. I know you throat hurts and you don't have to talk, but you need to shake your head yes or no. Do you know who that is?" Evan shook his head no. I did the same thing with Luke's pictures. Still a no. I called John and calmly told him I was freaking out. I explained exactly what I showed him and what he said. I knew by the sound of John's voice he'd be there in 10 minutes.

We got back to the room and the nurse also witness his confusion before she did the flu and strep test. John walked in moments later and I asked E, "Who is that?" He took one look at John, looked back and me and shrugged his shoulders. Dr. Hayes walked and we filled him in on what was going on. He had to step out of the room. John got very seriously with Evan and Evan finally said he was daddy and could identify Luke. It was a very scary 15 minutes. I just think he was just very exhausted and didn't want to talk. But I swear if he ever does that again!

Evan threw up 3 or 4 more times so we knew forcing meds down him were futile, but we went ahead and got him the Tamiflu. Luke got a scrip also that we have been giving him. Evan wouldn't take Tylenol, liquid or chewable/meltaways, so he has just felt terrible since this started. Last night he told me "My hair hurts." Oh how I wish I could take it all away.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a 2.5 year old away from his brother? Impossible. Everything hurts Evan, and we have been trying to keep him quarantined, but over a weekend it is just impossible to separate the two especially since we don't have a TV in E's room. On Saturday morning, Luke was getting a little stir crazy, so I took him to the park. It was 39 degrees....and there were birds. You know I love my kids when I volunteer to get out in almost freezing weather with BIRDS!

 

Update Sunday - He has eaten two meals today!! This is huge since he hadn't really eaten anything since Thursday at lunch. He also had several conversations with us. He still cries out in pain, but I think we are on the upswing.

You know, the whole time this has been going on, I just can't help but think about all the mothers in this world who have to see their children suffer from illness everyday. I could not imagine being in their shoes. I praise God in this time of sickness for my family because I know it is temporary. My child will get better. God, bring peace and comfort to the moms who's children won't. 

So we are banishing all germs from the house. I arm myself every night with a can of lysol and clorox wipes. No surface is safe. Be gone germs!!!