Being Sick Stinks

Obviously my previous post about the stomach flu was just wrong cause it turned out to be a lot worse than that! :-(

The past couple weeks have been a nightmare. Marisa, Danielle and I have been sick. Marisa got it first and she was so lifeless and her temperature became so dangerously high we took her to the Emergency on Friday (Jan. 26) afternoon. We took Danielle in Saturday. It hit me on Saturday pretty badly. So here's the long story:

ME
I finally came home Monday, Jan. 29 after I tucked Marisa in. I started throwing up, fever, headache, migraine, diarrhea, cough, sore throat, stuffed up (you should hear my voice) beginning Saturday. I was feeling myself getting sick for a few days prior. I refused to leave Marisa’s side at the hospital until finally I realized I couldn't chance making her sick, even though I was wearing the mask in the room all the time to protect her. I sure wasn't getting decent rest there and was getting worse. I hadn't been able to keep food in me for 3 days. I was treated with antibiotics. I spent a few hours in the Emergency myself. I took a cab home (no way could I drive) and went straight to bed (after throwing up twice of course). Sadly, Day 10 and I’m still sick - better but threw up this morning, still coughing, runny nose and my head feels like it's going to expolode...when it doesn't feel like it's going to fall off.

Marisa
Mark and Marisa got back at about Tuesday, Jan 30. 4 nights that poor child spent in the hospital hooked up to IV. In the ER and during the entire hospital stay Marisa was so brave. Marisa was very dehydrated when we arrived. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, pink eye and another mystery infection (which is what I got). She had suppositories up her bum, blood-work, the IV inserted, x-rays, a nose swab done (which they stick so far into the nose it hurts long afterwards - they did it to me too) and the first night she was having trouble breathing so she had to wear this oxygen thingy in the nose. Of course they continually checked her blood pressure, oxygen level, and temperature - day and night, a hundred billion times. She just finished her antibiotics and we stopped giving her eye drops twice a day (which stings) for her pink eye.

There was a playroom right across from her room but she wasn't allowed in since she was so contagious. Still, they allowed me to take in so many things to keep Marisa busy which was great. Marisa started coming back to life Sunday and was painting, playing with stickers, colouring, playing with dinosaurs, doing arts and crafts and of course reading lots of books. And we rented the TV as well.

Danielle
My little Angel has the same things as her sister. Thankfully after spending SEVERAL hours in the ER she was able to come home. Danielle was somehow able to keep some food down and was not dehydrated. There was a day where she kept nothing in but thankfully it only lasted one day. After that she did have throwing up sessions but some food still stayed in. She managed to get rid of the vomiting and fever on her own. She's really a tough cookie. At the hospital they did everything to her that they did to Marisa with one difference...no blood-work but they needed a pee sample so they inserted a catheter. The way they do x-rays on babies is awful too. They put Danielle in this tube with her arms up and Mark was far across the room. It was so sad. Anyway, she is on antibiotics as well as on medication for her pink eye. This one is a true fighter!

My Mom
She's been an amazing help during all this. She stayed with Marisa while Danielle, Mark and I were in the ER. And the rest of the time she was at home taking care of Danielle full-time. She even cooked me special things that she knows I'll eat, especially when sick. Sadly she’s getting the sickness as well.

Mark
Mark's been a true rock. He was going back and forth from the hospital non-stop, attending to Danielle, getting things Marisa needs, I need, Danielle needs, all the while barely getting any rest. The third night he stayed at the hospital in the hopes of giving me a break, and some of the nurses gave us a hard time about both parents staying. The fourth night he stayed alone. Did I mention how much Marisa cried cause I left her? Mark too is feeling the symptoms. I just hope they manage to put it off until at least I'm better.

The Reunion
When Marisa and Danielle saw each other again today, I was in tears. It was so amazing to see how happy they were to see each other and obvious how much they missed each other. All the smiling and laughter was true happiness. It makes me feel so proud to know how much they love each other!!

Finally, the end!
I will hopefully be better soon. And thankfully, Marisa seems to be all better now. Danielle just has a bit of a stuffed up nose.

Seeing your children sick and lifeless at home is hard enough, but witnessing your children going through so much at the hospital and being so sick and lifeless there, is just scary and heartbreaking! Nothing in this world is more precious and important as our kids. We often get so busy doing basic things that we don't spend as much time with them as they would like. Well you know what, go hug all your babies, no matter how old they are and tell them they mean the world to you and that you love them dearly.

Each and every child is truly a precious gift!

---Dalia