To say it's been crazy around here lately *might* just be an understatement! It all started the Thursday before Thanksgiving when Phoenix came home at the end of the school day with a headache. 🤕 That turned into a fever. 🤒 Over the course of the weeks following various kids have missed school because of low-grade fevers. Phoenix missed the most days. More than one kid would be fine for a full 24 hours so I would send them to school, only to get a call that they had a fever again. At one point someone started coughing, and there were a few days when they ALL had a cough. I said it was a "ca'cough'ony". I know... mom jokes are as bad as dad jokes. 😏 I started to wonder if I would survive with any sense of sanity! 🤪
Over the weekend, Phoenix ended up with a rash all over his torso, arms, and legs. He also had more headaches. Mostly because of the headaches, I took him to the clinic on Monday. The doctor wanted to do a blood panel as well as influenza and strep tests. The strep test was immediately positive. I was shocked! He hadn't complained of a sore throat... his throat wasn't even red (with the exception of the birthmark he has in his mouth...). That was when I learned that headaches, and upset stomach are also common symptoms of strep throat! With that information I decided maybe we should test more of the kids. I also decided to start Ki on a round of antibiotics because I suspected he also had strep (based on my new knowledge, and the fact that back in September we found out his trach was colonized with strep though he was asymptomatic). Rather than drag everyone into the clinic I opted to bring home some swabs and swab them myself the following morning. Tim was able to drop them off at the clinic before school (our clinic is right across the road from the college). Of the five swabs I sent in, three came back positive... two kids needed to be brought home from school, and my hunch about Ki was confirmed. Both school kids were feeling just fine, but needed antibiotics on board for 24 hours before they were able to return to school. Tim had picked up additional swabs so we could test everyone else. Final count? SEVEN kids tested positive for strep. At least Tim and I are in the clear! Of the school-aged kids, Levi was the only one with a negative strep test. Tomorrow, all will be able to return to school. Except poor Tiberius. He tested negative for strep but has been pretty miserable. He had been feeling better after his initial bout of illness, but a couple days ago his cough got a bit worse again and his fever returned. If his fever isn't gone by tomorrow I suppose I will need to get him in and tested for Influenza (which, along with strep, is working through the kids' school - students and teachers). I sure hope this round of abx will knock this out and we can spend the rest of the year -- 2019, AND the school year -- healthy! I'm hoping to start blogging more regularly... feel free to bug me if it's been awhile! Also, stay tuned... next week I will have some exciting news to share! 😁
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AuthorHi. My name is Kristin. I am wife, mom, friend, Christ-lover. Thanks for stopping by and sharing in our story! ArchivesCategories
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