Our First Family Illness

Before we became parents, we were amazed to watch whole families crumble due to some illness. Suddenly little Tommy has a cough, and the next think you know, each family member is bed-ridden and spewing fluids from every orifice. That was something I knew was inevitable, but I still dreaded it.

I don't mind when Lee or I get sick. My typical way of caring for a sick adult: wash your hands, eat some soup, and sleep it off. Easy, low hassle, usually works. However, I have been pretty anxious about what to do if Kara ever got sick. Would I recognize that she was sick? How would I handle it? Would the pediatrician think I was a bad mom?

My fear finally presented itself...Kara got sick. Yesterday I noticed that she was feeling a little warm, but she was acting normal. Still playful, maybe a little fussy. But as the day progressed, Kara began to feel really warm. I took her temperature. 102. Yikes!

Well, we went to the doctor. Kara has a virus. Nothing can be done other than acetaminophen and Pedialyte. Poor baby.

Kara is the last of the family to get sick. I have had ridiculous fatigue and a little nausea for the past week, and Lee came down with something pretty crummy as well. He was achy in all his joints, had headaches, and kept getting the chills. Since we were both sick in totally different ways, but Lee's was worse, I tend to blame-shift and think he was the one who infected our daughter (but I know deep down it could have been me...or some random person that I let get a little too close to her at the store -- this virus is spread through respiratory droplets).

So, tonight the Fithians will be hunkered down getting some rest, eating lots of medicine, and praying we get over it soon.