All Kinds

Patrick picked up an illness and has been lying motionless on the couch for the past three days. His face and hands are mottled by a rash; his head hurts so much it makes him cry; his eyes are blood-shot; his lips are swollen; and he has maintained a medium to low-grade fever since last Friday.

What to do?

We were in Arizona when he started to get sick and although his love for desert plants

(Hey! Look at that sagauro! Hey! Look at THAT sagauro! HEY HEY HEY! STOP THE CAR! Turn around! Did you see that SAGAURO!)

enabled him to rally for a few days it was obvious he didn't feel well even as he inventoried cactii. We did a few desert hikes, located a couple of geocaches which - unlike the ones near us - were completely clear of snow, checked out the Tucson contemporary art scene and took advantage of Flandrau Observatory's public viewing but I could tell he was beginning to languish.

By Saturday night he blinked a few times at the plate covered with all his favorite foods and said, "I'm going to bed." He shared a guest bed with me and he spiked a fever that caused him to not only soak the sheets with sweat but wrap them around himself like a mummy.

Sunday afternoon we flew home with him slumped against my shoulder; not even opening his eyes as I fed him M&Ms like a baby bird.

"How are you doing?" I kept asking him.

"I'm dying," he groaned.

Based on my previous experiences with him (he said, "I'm fine I'm fine I'm fine" and then was hospitalized because he was so very not fine at all) I was quite alarmed by his self-assessment and took him to the doctor on Monday as soon as they opened. She checked him for strep (negative;) looked at his ears (clear;) listened to his lungs (bell-like;) and then ordered a blood test. 

Patrick hates blood tests in much the same way people object to being set afire and the scream he emitted as they pricked his finger is probably still making dogs howl somewhere in Minnesota. Doting mother that I am I still had to smother a laugh because good LORD, kid, it's only a finger poke. He sounded like the Queen of the Night.

Anyway his bloodwork came back indicating a virus (although the low platelets gave her pause and she suggested we get him re-checked at some point in the future just to be sure that nothing wonky is going on) and my instructions were to keep him rested and hydrated. Tomorrow will be the seventh day of his sickness and if anything he seems to be getting worse, although his fever is mostly gone.

I'm trying to decide whether or not to take him back to the doctor. Would you?

On the one hand: YES, he's SICK.

On the other hand: a virus just needs to run its course and taking him back to Sicksville isn't going to make him better faster, it will just expose him and his overtaxed immune system to more germs.

What do you think?

+

Caroline and Edward had a great time with Steve

I said, "Aren't those the Halloween treat buckets?"

"Halloween treat bucket hats," Steve corrected.

Four days before I left for Arizona I said, "I think maybe Caroline and Edward should try to give up their pacifiers. Maybe we could take the pacifiers away four nights from now and then give them back in, say, three days or so. If they still want them by then we'll give them back."

Steve said, "Well ok if... HEY!"

I was joking, of course, but Caroline and Edward are bedtime pacifier junkies and I have been thinking we should do... something about that at some point.

I tried to remember everything you guys told me back when Patrick was a bedtime pacifier junkie and I remembered something about letting the kid trade for something better. Or something.

Anyway after my conversation with Steve I told Edward that whenever he was willing to get rid of his pacifier I would take him to Target and he could pick out a race car track. He looked thoughtful and then said, "No."

The next day Steve took Caroline and Edward to run errands. As I was putting Edward's shoes on I mentioned that he was going to Target and he said, "I will have to give up my pacifier but I will get a race car track."

I said, "Oh? Do you want to do that? Are you sure?"

And he said yes.

So Steve took Caroline and Edward and their pacifiers to Target and they each chose a special present. Caroline picked the ubertacky Dora the Explorer singing-oh-god-make-it-stop microphone and Edward got... a race car track.

When they got to the checkout line Steve (who had not believed me when I swore this would work) said to the cashier, "Um, we're doing a pacifier exchange?"

And the brilliant Target cashier said, "Oh yes of COURSE. Your pacifiers are going to go to a little girl that really needs them and you two big kids are going to get to play with your great new big kid toys!"

And Caroline and Edward put their pacifiers on the checkout counter and she handed them their presents.

LOVE HER.

That night Caroline was a little weepy when she went to bed and bewailed her lost pacifier. I reminded her that she now had a great new Dora microphone and remember? The little girl who needed a pacifier has one now!

Caroline sniffed and said, "I don't even like that little girl."

Touche.

I patted her head and she went to sleep.

Edward just brought his race car track to bed with him and although he said we could go to Target and buy new pacifiers I said no, no we cannot and that was that.

I am AMAZED that it worked but there you go. Use it as you will.

+

Prior to being struck down by the plague Patrick discovered acrylic paints, stretched canvas and the self-timer on my camera - in that order.

He calls this: Self-Portrait. 

I wish he felt better.

PS I pinched a nerve in my neck and after three days was still in so much pain I actually cried at bedtime. I saw a chiropractor - more in desperation than anything else - and after two crkkkkkkkkkkng sessions I have to admit my neck is starting to feel much better. I can even partly turn my head. Will it work for good or will I have to keep going in to have my spine straightened, do you know?

Comments

[Sydnew]

Did he have the rash and the swollen lips when you took him to the doctor? I think if it's still exactly the same symptoms as before that maybe you give it a couple more days, but if there are any new symptoms -- especially if a sore throat is among them -- that you take him back. I'm not much of a doctor goer (ex: My son had a nasty flu recently, including fever, and asked to go to the doctor after four days and I told him I'd take him after he'd shown no improvement for a week) but if Patrick has any new symptoms then maybe he picked up something new while at the doctor the first time?

I am SOOO impressed by your Target cashier. Wow. I would have had no idea what Steve was talking about.

[Nicky at Not My Mother]

Ooh, poor Patrick. If the virus isn't gone after 7 days I'd want to take him back too but be scared of more germs - can you just phone the doctor for advice or do they not do that there?

Also on the pinched nerve, check out an osteopath if you have them in your area. They do similar work to chiropractors but are a lot more gentle, working on muscles and tendons as well and with a lot less cracking! Ours has become a family friend, and not only treated me during pregnancy but gave our newborn daughter some treatments to loosen up her stiff left side (she lay like a banana) and later to work on her flat spot and pointy head caused by being engaged too long. I wouldn't let a chiropractor near my 3 week old, so have a look :-)

[Jennifer]

What Sydnew said....and....

Wow! what amazing artwork and yes, it would be good to go back to the chiropractor occasionally. My preference for most joint/muscle things now is an osteopath who does "osteopathic manipulation". Feels like gentle concentrated massage and works wonders, at least in my experience.

I can't believe I was going to write you a comment on your last post today complaining about you not keeping your New Year's resolution to write more frequently. Humbly apologizing. Hope Patrick feels better QUICK!

[Clarity]

Awesome Target girl. At Walmart they would have been like "What are you talking about? Security! SECURITY!!!"
Sorry Patrick is sickly, I'd call the nurse and see what they say. They'll say to bring him in of course and then you will and they'll say yes Julia he has a virus and send you back home, but I just like doing that little dance so I'd probably call anyway.

[Jan]

Brilliant art work. I am on my knees! I would take him back to the doctor. Yes, the bloodwork indicated a virus... but could he have been bitten by something insecty in the desert? I don't want to scare you, but it does no harm to insist on more diagnostics.

[Sara]

I'd probably take him back to the doctor. The fact that it hasn't improved at all is worrisome.

That Target cashier is a rock star. Obviously not her first rodeo.

[Sheila Z]

I hope Patrick feels better soon. I would be worried enough to take him back to the Dr if he were my kid. That just seems like too long to feel so badly.

[victoria]

As the only nonparent reader, I have to ask:

Why do you want your kid to stop using a pacifier?

Especially if they only do it at bedtime & it's not inconvenient, or embarrassing, or costly at all?

If the thing comforts your kid, why not let 'em have it until s/he no longer wants it? And/or realizes when/how to use it consistent w/social norms?

Cf. nosepicking, masturbation, other "nasty" or "bad" habits: you could tell the kid to eradicate the habit, or just gently socialize the kid?

I dont' get it: why is eradicating the pacifier worth your energy when other habits (oral hygiene, eating vegetables, practicing courtesy despite irritants) are so much more worthy of parental energy?

[kristy]

Chiropractic work in the neck region is rather dangerous because it can cause a dissection in your carotid artery and a subsequent stroke. Be careful. <3

[SarahB]

Patrick's artwork set off a significant wow here. I am impr
essed!

I would take him back to the doctor Friday or at least call, figuring doctor Friday is better than ER Sunday. That's just me, risk-adverse. Also, my husband had something viral recently that led to a sinus infection and antibiotics. So, maybe worth a second look.

[Laura]

Victoria: because extended pacifier sucking can cause problems with their teeth. :)

[Christine]

I'd definitely call the doctor. They might be surprised at the length of time and ask you to bring him in again, or they might say "Yes, that's going around, everyone has those symptoms, it lasts 7-10 days" and then you'll be happy. Hope he feels much better soon and paints more amazing pictures.

[jen]

I would take him back to the doctor. If he is appearing to be worse rather than better then it's worth another trip.

RE: the chiropractor. A good one you should be able to go a couple of times and then not again until something comes up. Some of them try to get you on a "plan" for "optimal health" and I find that to be a load of you know what. I go once every few months when my hip inevitably starts bothering me again. But I put a lot of stress on it with the miles I run so I sort of expect to need to go back.

[Emily Faulkner]

Julia - Call your doctor and ask about Kawasaki Disease. I had never heard of this before, but a friend's son recently was hospitalized for it and she posted about it on Facebook. Here is a link with more information, but the symptoms sound very similar.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001984#adam_000989.disease.symptoms

Hope he is better soon!!

[misssophie]

take him back, someone beat me to it with kawasaki; it does sound similar, especially as he's still so sick.

[Emily Faulkner]

PS - Am not trying to alarm you, as there is scary information on the site I posted. But better safe than sorry and it may not be something the doctor has considered.

[kathy]

I've never heard of a virus causing swollen lips. Not that I'm familiar with all viruses. But I'd call again.

[Karen]

I'm impressed that you were so calm about Patrick's illness. I would take Patrick back to the doctor.

[Megan]

Honestly, it sounds a lot like valley fever, and that's something a doctor outside of the southwest might not recognize. I have no idea how long it takes to kick in, though, so maybe you weren't there long enough for that to be it. I grew up in AZ, and it's one of those things that everyone got eventually. And it's easy to mistake for other illnesses. Maybe worth a check?

[Brandy]

Victoria - I have to reiterate what Laura said. Pacifiers can most definitely affect the development of a child's mouth and teeth. My little girls is only 2.5 and our dentist has said her mouth palate shape is changing because of the pacifier and it really should go. We may just have to try the Target approach, even though she is also a bedtime/naptime only paci user also.

Julia - I would probably wait a full 7 days. I do absolutely take my children to the doctor when necessary but also know that with a virus only fluids, rest, and the bodies own immune system is going to take care of it, no matter how much we as mom's worry about them. My daughter has been sick a few days with a fever and I told myself if she still had it this morning we were heading in but when I went to get her up it had broken. I got lucky. I'm hoping Patrick feels much better VERY soon.

[Priscilla]

I'd go back to the doctor - anything lasting 7+ days is worrisome, and the weekend is coming, etc. Your Mom-dar goes off for a reason!

For your neck, I'd ask my PCP for a PT referral/eval.

Good luck on both fronts!

[Lawmommy]

Did he have the rash when the doctor saw him? I ask because I have heard of same cases of scarlet fever lately...although I think that should show up as strep +, but, I'm not a doctor and I don't even play one on tv...I would probably take him back.

[Priscilla]

Oh dear I wiki'd Kawasaki's Disease. The bloodshot eyes would make me worry about that. I think I would recheck to rule that out!

[Kez]

Many moons ago I would regularly crick my neck (usually by simply rolling over in bed), which resulted in a muscle spasm from the back of my head to halfway down my back. I'd be in tears too, and my doctor eventually came up with a regime of intense physiotherapy and 2mg diazepam 4 hourly for a few days.

Eventually I cricked it so bad I actually heard a cracking noise and could not hold my head up. Cue physio and diazepam. Strangely after this worst crick it never happened again.

Ten years later I went to a new chiropractor who insisted on spinal x-rays before she treated me. Lo and behold, there was a healed fracture in a vertebra in my neck. Yep, I had physiotherapy on a broken neck!

Love chiropractors and osteopaths for muscle issues (such as spasms) but please check for bone issues first before you let anyone touch you.

Hope Patrick feels better soon. Swollen lips is a bit of a worrying (and rare) symptom IMO.

We gave our pacifiers to Santa one year for him to distribute to all the babies around the world as he delivered presents. We put them inside a Santa hat under the tree with a note asking Santa to take them. Our son was taken with the idea of other children using the pacifiers but he also conveniently had a stack of new toys to distract him from missing his pacifier over the next few days.

[rupiedupie]

Hi Victoria,

I do agree with Laura and Brandy.

The thing about pacifiers is that the $10-20 spent on them initially soothes out most infants...past 18-24 months it does alter palate formation/jaw/teeth alignment.
It's totally not worth the $7k in orthodontia in coming years.

As for nose picking/masturbating, other things of that nature. We leave it to our kids to do 'private things' in private places such as the bathroom or bedroom...alone. And we don't assign negatives to natural inclinations.

Julia, your story about the Walmart staffer made me think of the SNL skit where Kristin Wiig plays a Walmart clerk. Made me smile.

Was Patrick showing signs of illness before the SW visit?
Hope he feels better soon. THAT sounds extreme.

CUTE photo of the twins in bucket hats.

[Kate]

It's my vote to go back to the doctor. Rashes & headaches especially are just not good news together.

[Nancy]

That painting has great composition and balance of colour, lots of interest. Abstract isn't easy. That's one talented and very artsy kid you have there!

[Shandra]

I'd take him back on the 8th day, since most viruses run their course by thenish.

Love the Target cashier - and brilliant idea parents.

[Jan]

Did a quick google and it seems that it take several weeks for symptoms of valley fever to show. Comes from inhaling a fungus in the soil that gets into the air, particularly in the summer. So I think it might not be that...

[Pam L]

7 days is a long time with no improvement and seemingly worse, even with the fever down. I would at least call and update the Dr. and see what she says but going in seems reasonable. My kids never had pacifiers, well they were given some when they were born , but they never really took to them, so I did not have to do a trade in, but that seems brilliant to me.

[Becky]

I would be inclined to call the doctor's office and talk with a nurse. She'll be able to talk with the Dr to see what s/he wants to do. With Patrick's record, it seems like it could be nasty and it is sounding sort of on the systemic side at this point so it may be that they could, at the least, offer some stronger motrin-like substance or something like that. I was surprised a couple of months ago- my infant and toddler were both down with some sort of respiratory infection known only as "well, it isn't pneumonia, yet" and when I called in to say that my toddler wasn't sounding worse but also wasn't sounding better after a couple of days, the Dr didn't want me to bring them back in since weather was tending to be poor and they were seeing a lot of contagious ick but just called in a prescription instead.

[not a doctor]

some of those symptoms sound like shingles - did he ever have chicken pox? is the rash on only one side?

[Shaynee]

My husband is a pediatric cardiologist and I immediately thought Kawasaki as well. (Not that I'm qualified ti diagnose by osmosis or anything.) It certainly might not be, but it's worth checking. Also, were you in a region where Hantavirus is found? Another unlikely but less obvious thought. I hope everyone is feeling better soon!

[babelbabe]

I don't want to freak you out either, but Kawasaki disease also came to my mind. I have a friend whose daughter had it (she was ten) and it was NOT pleasant. Even if not, the length of fever would worry me. I am usually pretty laid back but if he's not getting better, I would definitely call sooner rather than later. I hope he feels better soon.

I have never had a pacifier-user, but I have to say, I would have kissed that Target cashier. Brilliant.

[babelbabe]

by the way, the swollen lips are what made me think of Kawasaki.

[Cris]

Ugh. the Dora microphone. We have it too--worst $10 my mother ever spent. My one-year walks around with the mic in his mouth yelling, "uuuuuuh. uuuuuh." It is basically a communicable disease at this point.

[Holly]

I have to say I immediately thought Arizona? Fever? Rash? Utter misery? Not going away? Valley Fever! Unlikely, but maybe worth asking the pediatrician given the fact that he was just rooting around in the desert.

[Jen]

A very strong vote here to take Patrick back to the doctor. He's probably fine, but that "just in case" trip I took to the doctor with my son two weeks ago likely saved his life. After that experience, I wouldn't mess around with something lingering like this. (Not that I think Patrick has what my son did, just that I am more inclined to err on the side of alarmist these days.)

[Meegan]

Hmmm. I read the Kawasaki link and while I was on the fence whilst reading your post, I now am of the "get the kid back to the doctor" mindset. And please, please, please keep us updated!

Great pictures of the bucket hats (we have those and we wear them like that, too!), and of Patrick's self-portrait. Beautiful children.

[L]

Do make sure the doctor knows you were in Arizona - the desert has some wacky things in it y'all don't get on the East. It may not make a difference, but it may make a big difference. I hope he feels better soon!!

[Christy]

Take him back to the doctor, most definitely. Seven days with no improvement is scary.

Glad you posted! Hope Patrick feels better soon.

[sueinithaca]

is anyone else in the house getting it? No? Take him back. If it was something typical, he'd have shared the misery by now.

[kelly]

I'm a pediatrician, and I'd take him back to the doctor. Definitely want to rule out Kawasaki.

[AnnaN]

I have no opinion on what Patrick may have, but I would take him back to the doctor. No improvement with new symptoms suggests something more than a simple "virus" or perhaps an opportunistic secondary infection brought about by his weakened immune system. Did the doctor prescribe antibiotics? I would assume no, but if yes, rashes are a common allergic side effect.

Just read the symptoms of Kawasaki Disease and don't think it applies in this case unless you didn't detail his entire list of symptoms.

Poor pumpkin, I hope he feels better soon.

[Julie]

Victoria - As a mom of a current pacifier user (sigh) I also want to weigh in that kids who use pacis past about 18 months are significantly more likely to get ear infections! Plus they are germy. Plus for kids like my son, 21 months, they become a way to avoid sleep. "middle of the night, can't find a paci - better scream for mom!"

So, you know. Best to get rid of them at some point.

Julia- hope Patrick improves soonest. Fever being gone seems like a little tiny bit of improvement? Maybe? Hopefully? (crossing fingers for a better day tomorrow)

[Sarah]

DOCTOR! VIrus should run it's course in a week and trend better. There are anti-viral drugs, which it sounds like he needs.

and hooray for Target!

[Sarah]

Oh yeah, Arizona. Valley Fever: http://www.vfce.arizona.edu/

[Sarah]

Sorry for the triple post but I realized that site sucked and figured I would avoid work and dig out the symptoms:

Of those patients seeking medical care, the most common symptoms are
fatigue,
cough,
chest pain,
fever,
rash,
headache
and joint aches.

Some people develop painful red bumps on their shins or elsewhere that gradually turn brown (the medical term for these is "erythema nodosum").

[Kate (Bee In The Bonnet)]

OMG, I just love Caroline. I don't much like that little girl, either.

[CJ]

I would take him back to the doctor asap, and bring along a print out of the Kawasaki page to wave at the doctor.

I had a pinched nerve in my neck and used simple neck traction -- a towel with a cord tied on both ends, with the cord long enough I could suspend the whole thing from a doorknob. Lie on the ground, let the towel cradle your head and schooch forward until you feel a little tension on your neck. Just a little! Set a timer for 10 minutes and never rest there longer.

But take Patrick to a doctor first.