Sickies

I know I’ve been doing this mothering gig for a few years now but today is the first time both my kids have been sick at the same time.  Like stay-home-from-school, cancel-therapy, go-to-the-doctor sick.  Strange how these sad little milestones feel like I passed off another merit badge in mothering.  The double-trouble sickie badge.  Check.  

Lamp saw the doctor yesterday and was overcome with fear in the hours leading up to the exam.  Sure she’s had some medical trauma, but it’s been a while so I wasn’t exactly sure where this was coming from.  But when you’re not feeling well a lot of things sound crappy.  Plus this past fall she had to catch up on her shots and perhaps thats where a lot of the trepidation came from.  Anyway, she was really scared.  We took her baby doll (the embarrassing naked doll with a super dirty cloth body) and the new-to-us doctor was so kind and patient.  She obligingly gave Lamp’s baby a full check up before she even looked our way so as to calm my daughter’s fears.  Lamps tears gave way to silly smiles and laughter.  However she still let her anxiety get the best of her when it was her turn.  So the doctor laid her stethoscope down, and softly asked her, What would you like me to do first?  When Lamp saw that she was in charge, she calmed right down and said, Ears.  So the doctor looked in her ears.  She then motioned to her tummy, which the doctor examined and finally her heart.  Doctors are just people–as fabulous and flawed as anyone–and in the past couple of years we’ve seen a range.  This doctor was pretty great and while we were just one more patient in her busy day, it means so much to me that she would take her time and calm the fears of my little sickie.  That doctor scored some major karma points yesterday.  Don’t worry, I’ve already notified the Universe.  

Lamp = No ear infections.  Probably viral.  Give it 7-10 days.

PSP on the other hand was complaining of a sore throat and sure enough she has strep.  We didn’t find out until later in the afternoon/early evening.  So when she started throwing up and her fever spiked my worry-o-meter kicked into gear.  I hate seeing them in pain, but there’s nothing like 2 sick kids to make you feel like a real mom.  It’s nothing special, I know, but I’m their mom and they want me.  I didn’t leave PSP’s side for quite some time and luckily we’ve got like 6 episodes of Doc McStuffins on the DVR so Lamp was set.   I did the hair holding and back rubbing and when PSP said jump, I said how high.  I offered every and anything under the sun in an effort to keep her hydrated and I reminded myself to let her cry and scream in frustration because a sore throat hurts and other than being present, there is little else I can do.  Eventually exhaustion set in and she slept.  And keep some liquids down and slept some more.

So we’re hunkering down, making soup, watching lots of TV and just getting by.

The house is undone and other projects are begging for my attention, but I’m spent.  But it feels kinda good too.  Anyone can fold the laundry, re-do the desk and make a quilt.  But I’m the only mom around here and I’m OK with it.  I don’t think what I do is as important that I just do it.  Me.  The mom.

Any sick-time rituals, tricks, tips for getting through?  Do you do the same things your mom did or do you have your own ways?  Does you too find it doesn’t really matter just as long as mom is there?  And for the record dad does his fair share of sick kid duties, but it just seems that when it comes to being sick the buck always stops with mom.