It is the Song Flu...

that NEVER ends.

Yes, it goes on and on my friends!

Everything that has gone on in our house for the past two weeks can be summed up in this one post...because everyday has been Groundhog Day.

It all started on Wednesday, February 16th when Macklan woke up from his nap around 2:45 PM. He stepped out of bed and fell to the floor crying, "Mommy, my legs hurt. I can't walk!" I didn't really understand his cry for help until I touched him. He was burning up. I raced to get the thermometer and was panicked when it spoke, "Your current body temperature is 104.1". Hoping that it misread his temp, I placed it on his forehead again...and again...104.1 was confirmed each time.

Knowing I only had a small window of time before the pediatrician's office would close for the day, I immediately called. Our regular pediatrician was not in on this particular afternoon, so I agreed to see one of the other pediatricians at the practice. Our appointment time was scheduled, and the boys and I were soon out the door. Scott met us at the doctor's office, and it was a good thing he did!

 A flu test was ordered by the doctor, and I immediately knew (from my own prior experience) it was not going to be a good situation. The nurse came in with the giant-sized Q-tip and swabbed Macklan's nasal cavity while I held onto his upper body and Scott held his legs. He did not like it one bit, and I can't blame him. He cried and required several hugs from Mommy and Daddy as we waited out the fifteen minutes to hear the doctor assure, "Flu test is negative. More than likely he has a viral infection with symptoms very similar to the flu." So we left out of there with instructions to pump fluids and rotate Tylenol and Ibuprofen.

Wednesday evening thru Saturday morning consisted of............

and HOURS and HOURS of......

By Saturday morning Macklan was not feeling any better; in fact, he was feeling worse so we headed to urgent care to get him checked out again. We were sent to the lab for another flu swab as well as one for strep. I dreaded this because he was scarred from the previous swab. He keeps telling me, "You're not supposed to stick sticks up your nose!" I told him only doctors do, and they do it to see if we're sick. He didn't really buy it! This flu swab was worse than the first one, because he knew what was coming! We also had to get an x-ray of his chest to check for pneumonia. After all the tests, we returned to the examining room to hear the results from the doctor.

My motherly instinct was correct...positive for flu! The strep test was negative and the chest x-ray was clear. It was suspected that he had flu since the onset of his symptoms on Wednesday, so again we left without a prescription. Push fluids and control fever by alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen.

So for five more days I watched this little expressionless face and lifeless body...

With no improvement in sight and the fear of a sinus infection setting in, I took Macklan back to his actual pediatrician since we had yet to see him. After summarizing the week long symptoms which included fever, cough, body ache, runny nose, raspy voice, and little to no appetite, and sharing the news that he had a positive flu test on Saturday...
Dr. Q began the examination which lead him to checking Macklan's oxygen. It was 95%, so he had to do a breathing treatment with a cute little fire engine machine. He did a great job sitting still and breathing in the medicine. The diagnosis we then received was flu with infection and on top of that bronchitis. This time we did not leave empty handed. Macklan had two prescriptions: an antibiotic for infection (given for 3 days)and an oral breathing treatment for the bronchitis (given for 10 days). What a blessing it is to trust and respect the doctor who cares for your children!

 

With all things prescribed by Mommy and Dr. Q, Macklan was soon on the road to recovery. The flu lasted for about 10 days and during that time my little boy was a different person. I'm sure glad to have my happy, fun, energetic, still picky eater back!