The Influenza Virus 3-26-06

The Influenza Virus

Thursday evening I laid beside my poor baby as his little body was ravaged by a 105.6 temperature (the doctor said not to call until 106 ). The pads of his little feet were like hot coals that were perpetually being thrust into my back as his body thrashed about all night long. I took his temperature about every hour and as soon as the IB Profen wore off, the Tylenol would go in. Throughout the night his little body went from sweating to shivering and back again. All through the night. I had that feeling that I am sure every mother experiences...the feeling of helplessness, knowing that there is nothing I can do to help him feel any better, but wishing so badly that I could take all of his pain and make it my own.

Before this whole episode, I thought Landon and I were going to come through unscathed. Jonathan had come down with it on Sunday evening, so by Wednesday I thought we were good...but Thursday morning Landon woke up with it. By Friday evening I knew I was coming down with it too...the body aches, chills, cough. I prayed so hard that night that God would heal Landon because I knew that I would not be able to care for him as well if I was sick too . I prayed that God would give me the faith to believe that He would heal him. I kid you not, forty-five minutes later, I took his temperature and his body was 98.6 degrees. Temperature gone. He slept peacefully through the night and awoke a healthy boy the next morning. I, however, was very much sick. But I would much rather be sick than Landon. And I praise God for His direct intervention in such a small detail of our lives.

Sunday, Landons temperature came back. It was low-grade and remained so today. So I took him to the doctor and ends up, his congestion lead to an ear infection. This means that he gets an antibiotic . It is so crazy to me that bc the flu is a virus they can do nothing for you when your body is ravaged by high fevers and terrible body aches and deep coughs, but if you get fluid in your ear...then, they can give you something for it. Oh the complexity of virus versus bacteria . So, now Landon is on the mend, I am feeling better, and Jonathan is back at work. Thank God for health. It really is priceless.

On a much cuter note, Wednesday night we had a get together with some family friends. As we were driving there, Landon piped up, out of the blue, from his car seat, "Momma, you look cute." There is something about your son telling you that you look pretty that just melts your heart!

This morning I was coughing really hard and Landon came up and got in my face (he does that when he wants your attention) and he said in a very concerned voice, "Are you ok Mama?" After which he reached up with his little hand and felt my forehead like I do his to check for fevers. Again, there is something about your baby asking if YOU are ok that just really grabs your heart and fills it with more love and pride than you ever thought possible. He continuously amazes me.