Dr. Internet

We have another case of the sickies at our house. I have been trying to figure this out for months, but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere.

Here’s the deal. Since last September (so, for almost a year), Caedmon has been getting sick every 6-8 weeks. The first time, we *think* he had strep. The reason we *think* and don’t know, is because when I took him to the doctor, they just diagnosed him with strep and didn’t actually do a strep test because they didn’t want to “freak him out.” I asked to go ahead and do one so we’d know for sure, and they just thought it was best not to. Riiight. Even after being put on antibiotics, he ran fever for a week. So I took him back to the doctor, where they changed their minds and said he didn’t have strep, or maybe he did, but he had something else, too. Whatever.

But since that time, every 6-8 weeks, Caedmon’s been getting sick. Nothing crazy. Fever, sometimes swollen tonsils (usually the 2nd day of fever), sometimes white gunk on his tonsils, sometimes not. Sometimes a stomach ache, sometimes not. Usually bloodshot and tired eyes. (Who wouldn’t have that with fever?) The only constant is fever for 3-7 days that starts low, goes up and down on its own, and usually maxes out around 102-103. And he doesn’t always feel bad. Sometimes he’ll have 100.4 and feel lousy, but later have 102 and feel fine. It’s craziness.

So, no, I haven’t taken him to the doctor every time he’s been sick. I figured after the strep/not strep/virus thing, we’d just save that co-pay and ride it out unless it became more complicated. And it mostly hasn’t.

But last time he got sick, in May, I took him to the doctor. We were getting ready to travel, and I was tired of whatever this is that keeps rearing its ugly head. So the (new) doctor did a strep test and throat culture. Nothing. We treated it as viral and, as usual, he got better on his own in a few days.

Listen, the boy is on good, high quality (expensive!) multi-vitamins, extra vitamin C, and omega 3’s. We eat pretty healthy, and through all of this, nobody else has gotten sick. And he doesn’t get whatever’s “going around” at any given time, either. This past winter, I think just about every household we know was hit by the stomach bug at least once. But we didn’t get it. He’s not even had so much as a cold besides this crazy stuff. (I’m furiously knocking on wood over here.)

I have no idea what is causing this mess. We’ve bought new toothbrushes, washed his sheets in hot water, even disinfected his pillow and mattress. We’ve been to the dentist and had his teeth checked. There’s no connection I can find to anything. Still, he gets sick every 6-8 weeks. I can almost mark it on my calendar.

So, we spent the weekend with a feverish boy who sometimes felt decent and sometimes felt lousy. And a little sister who is still working on pushing some molars through her poor, poor gums. And a Momma that was about to go just a little nuts. Because you know what my kids don’t do well when they feel lousy? Sleep.

Honor sleeps great at night, but started shorting her naps as soon as Caedmon got sick, which coincided with her second (or third? I lost count) molar beginning to actually push through the gums. Caedmon…just doesn’t sleep well at all. And when he feels bad, it’s even worse. Friday night we were up for at least two hours in the middle of the night – I quit checking the clock. It was depressing. And after he had a bad dream Saturday night, I spent almost as much time in his bed with him as I did my own.

But you know I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Well, I would definitely trade the sickness. That stuff can go jump off a cliff. But I love that I get to snuggle with them and be here for them when they don’t feel good. I love that Husband works hard to provide for us so that I can stay home with these kids – whether they’re sick or not – and at times like this weekend, just be Momma and not worry about anything else. It’s the best job in the world, and one I hope I never take for granted.

But really, if anybody knows what strange germ might be bothering my kid, let me know. I’d like to punch it in the throat.