The Flu

Victim #1

Name: Nathan
Age: 8
Date succumbed: Saturday morning, March 1st
Highest fever recorded: 102.6 degrees F (oral)

Strangest complication: After the fever finally subsided on Monday night, Nathan was left with painful cramps in his calves. He could barely walk and after two days of crawling and hobbling around, we tried a heating pad which gave him no relief but a nasty blotchy rash on his legs. So we took him to the doctor who sent him to get blood work done and the poor phlebotomists may turn in their resignations if they encounter anymore such experiences. (They couldn't connect with a vein the first time they poked him, even after jiggling the needle around a lot, and had to go for a second round on the other arm. Nathan was NOT a happy patient.)

Best quote: "Why does everything bad always have to happen to me?" Followed shortly by Matthew complaining how unfair it was that Nathan got to choose his candy treat and Matthew just got what was left. I assured Matthew that when he gets poked in the arms several times by needles looking for blood, he can choose his own candy, too.

Victim #2

Name: Matthew
Age: 6
Date succumbed: Saturday evening, March 8th
Highest fever recorded: 102.6 degrees F (oral)

Strangest complication: Cramps in his calves, too, the day after the fever subsided. Luckily, they only lasted half a day for Matthew. Weird, huh.

Best quote: "You know how I think I got sick? From being too hot from shirts," as he strips off the offending article of clothing to try to cool his fever. I started to explain germs and contagious diseases...and gave up.

Victim #3?

Name: Maggie
Age: 2 1/2
Date succumbed: not quite yet
Highest fever recorded: 99.1 degree F (oral)

Best quote: "My feber! Whoo-hoo!" raising her fists in triumph. She was happy because she could have medicine just like everyone else. Can you will yourself a fever? If you're a very determined two-year old? She was taking her own temperature by sticking her tongue out, putting the thermometer underneath, waiting for the beep, and repeating enthusiastically, "My feber!" Can you tell she's very ill and suffering badly? It's probably just a cold...so far.

Who will be the next victim...? And who dictated our three-week spring break which has been full of beautiful sunny spring days should be spent indoors with popsicles, cold washcloths, and cough, cough, coughing?