Oh Boy

Please say a prayer for us.

The children have Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (comes in summer or early fall), evidenced by painful sores in their mouths.  Trouble is, they also have had diarrhea and vomiting, persistent productive coughing, and some mild nighttime croup, all of which are not part of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease.  There is no evidence of a bacterial infection, no ear infection, or any unmanageable breathing problems, so I don't need to take them to the doctor (not yet anyway...they're still sick).

We either have three different viruses (above mentioned, then a cold, and also a stomach bug) or they have the Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, along with the swine flu, which causes tummy problems and respiratory problems.  It's too early for the regular seasonal flu in this area.  Still, all symptoms are mild enough that I don't need to take them in.

The whole thing is really waring on Don and me.  We are exhausted, and now we are having trouble with Daniel's behavior.  We took him off his ADHD medicine to see if it was causing the extreme anxiety.  I had to cancel his therapist appointment and reschedule it for two weeks from now, due to this illness.

Rosey has begun a fear of monsters, worsened by the shadows in her room (nightlight creates the shadows). She's battling insomnia due to the pain of the sores in her mouth, and due to the monster fear.

Things are just really hard right now.  Your prayers would be appreciated.

Baby is well so far, but if she gets the mouth sores, it will be hard to nurse.  Dehydration is the main risk from Hand, Foot, and Mouth, due to the difficulty in swallowing liquid or food.

Don't you love cold and flu season?  For the six months of winter, parenting can be a lot like boot camp.