Saturday, November 7, 2009

ENOUGH!!! already...

OK so I have learned the through the school of hard knocks that sickness is a BIG part of childhood, and "nursing" those sick children is an ABSOLUTE part of motherhood. I have resigned myself to the fact, accepted it, and have made the best of it. We have our little systems down (a saved small mattress in the bathroom when the puking starts, and an on-hand bucket), I always keep a stock of certain necessities on hand. I feed my children vitamins, and probiotics. I look for the "natural" methods. But I also keep them vaccinated and well checked with the doctor.I sterilize water bottles, towels, bedding, toys and always have a can of Lysol on hand. So I feel like I do my part to keep "what comes what may", at bay.
BUT after last night I am throwing my arms in the air " I SURRENDER!!!"
Colton came down with the swine flu about 2.5 weeks ago. He just went back to school full-time at the beginning of this week. Not only does the virus last long BUT it is the "other" things that come with it that take longer to fix. He ended up with a double ear infection, losing about 9 pounds and losing all motivation to do ANYTHING.
I had to spoon feed him most meals and made sure he drank. I stripped his sheets, bathed him, changed his pj's...and so on. I have not missed a medication, given him medications he did not want, and blown noses and cleaned up coughing vomit more than I would like to mention.The problem is there are 3 other kids to tend while he is sick!
Unfortunately, my sister probably picked up the virus from being around him and she has absolutely been "out of commission" for over 2 weeks, and still sounds AWFUL~ She will probably be out the rest of this month. I can't be around her at all. I feel so bad....
She has been my 'life-line" in regards to childcare this last year. Dans parents are close but both work full-time and are going to help with a new niece being born in a week or 2 (they cannot risk getting sick) So with out family-any form of reprieve I use to receive with my kids has been gone. I have had one of them attached at my hip AT ALL TIMES- shopping, going to the bathroom, meals, helping at the school,most drs. appointments, etc. and I can't ask anyone else to babysit because I cannot spread the germs. I have been on house arrest with grouchy kiddos.
On top of Coltons sickness, Sterling came down with the stomach bug, it was swift but violent. He has since contracted another form of it at the other end...as well as Dacie.
I came down with a milder form of the swine flu this last week and have just felt "off" with a pounding headache. I think my vaccine may have kicked in...BUT there is NOT MUCH I can take for reprieve in regards to pain. Dan has really done THE BEST he can with helping when he is home. He cannot take off too much work b/c he pays our mortgage and after a certain amount of sick days he is on leave without pay. We HAVE to make it work.
I felt better yesterday then I have in a LONG time. So I went to town bleaching the entire house!!! It needed some good cleaning. In fact, I bleached the skin off my knuckles doing it!
So lo and behold, Dan comes home from work with 103.5 degree fever last night!!! He has been taking Advil (a very RARE thing I can get him to do) the last 2 days fighting it off. It arrived...he was 'on fire' all night and the medicine did not lower anything. He had the chills and was awake most of the evening. His throat is on fire too. So after a LONG day of bleaching I did not get the rest I thought I might.
TO Top it ALL off- Ryland woke up around 10:30pm and started throwing up the rest of the evening. Between Dan's chills, fever, medicine, snoring, and running into the other bathroom to clean up vomit and diarrhea I am tired and SUPER bummed....

I realize this will all go away and it will be fine.Dan is at the urgent care as we speak hopefully to get some tama flu and antibiotics...so we can lessen the time of his sickness. I am sure being pregnant has not helped the matter. Scrubbing the floors on my hands and knees is already starting to get tiresome. I am not surprised my baby boy is cramping today and I feel little out of sorts. My heart aches for those who are sick and I want to help them.... but some moments I feel absolutely alone, tired and SICK of being SICK! It is hard enough running a household when you are feeling well and everyone else is, but when you and everyone else is not....it stinks!!!I don;t understand why you can almost have a week of "on the mends" children, only to POP up with more. I guess I feel hopeless at times too because I realize there is a few strands of things going around here, and there is ALLOT more of us to work through.
I have a supportive husband ( I would never have married any different), but he works ALLOT and is gone allot...so a large portion of all the family and household responsibility is mine- it can be a large burden to carry at times.
So now that I have my lonely pity party. I will return to those who need me most.My list is long and life continues on with obligations I have to meet...sometimes I wish I had a fairy godmother who could touch those things that NEVER will get done (like fixing our back deck, making room for a 5th child in a too small house....)
I have had ENOUGH!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Is this what I have to look forward to with 4 kids? And I signed up for it? I'm so sorry!! It is truly awful to have everyone sick! The only time all of my children (only 3) were sick together was last winter when they all caught the stomach bug. I piled everyone into the Living room and blocked the exits with couches, chairs and anything else that with prevent anyone from escaping. We have wood floors in there so I just let them go. When all was said and done, I disinfected the mess out of the room and we went along our way.. BUT, I wasn't pregnant and all my kids were little enough that I could keep them in the one room. I don't know how you do it and still keep a sane head. You are my hero! I hope everyone feels better soon!

Charlotte King said...

Alicia,

You need to allow people to serve you. I'm sure that there is someone in your ward that has been vacinated that can come and give you a rest. A 2 hour nap would you give a little needed sleep, but more importantly you would know that you aren't alone.

Kerry said...

Oh ALicia, I am so sorry! We have all had the flu this past week as well, and it has been the pits! I still feel not so hot today, and I am going on day 11! Tony kicked it the fastest, and Avery only had one day where she was acting not well, but she still has a cough and sounds raspy. Logan has seemed well most of the time also, but has a nasty cough. He stayed home from school 4 out of 5 days last week, and Tony stayed home from work 3 1/2 days. I really hope you all get better soon! This flu has been rough! Hang in there!

The Stewart Stuff said...

You poor thing. Ty has been sick and to the Dr.'s twice in the last 3 weeks, but luckily no Swine Flu. Seriously, you poor, poor girl. I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck with everything!!!

THE ORMES said...

Your post brought back horrible memories. I hate family illnesses. I guess the lesson I learned though all our hard times was to just get through the day. If meds were given and mouths were fed, then hey we had a good day. Do what you can do and don't be upset but what you couldn't. It's hard. It's soooooooooo hard, but there will be an end. You can make it!!!!!!!! (I'm tearing up as I'm writing this because I KNOW what you're going through. It's completely awful, but it will end. I promise)

Jenn~a~Roo said...

THANKS FOR USING MY BACKGROUND!!!!

JEN~A~ROO

DID YOU ENTER MY GIVEAWAY WHILE YOU WERE THERE?

Trezise Momma said...

I am so sorry. It sounds like you have had a tough month! I was prompted to call you the other day, but when I got you answering machine, I let if go. Now I am kicking myself because it sounds like you needed someone to vent to. I hope everyone is better soon, and that no one else gets anything else. Love to all Sorensens, big and small!

Wendi said...

Oh my. Wow. You poor thing! I can't even imagine how exhausted you must be. I just wish I could pause time for you for a bit so you could relax and refuel. You are no doubt supermom/woman/wife! Hang in there girl:)

Marcus, Amy, and Lola said...

agh...seriously i cannot imagine what is going on at your house! i go crazy when just Lola is sick. its the pits. not looking forward to having more bodies to share sicknesses with!
hang in there...it will be over soon and then you won't have to worry about any of your kids getting the swine flu after you have the baby...bc they all already had it...thats a positive note, right?!

Emily said...

Alicia! Sounds like a nightmare at your house with one thing after another. I'm so sorry. I wish I could send my fairy god mother your way so she could help you. Problem is, I still haven't found her. I'm sure I have one. . . absolutely sure, but she sure keeps herself hidden. I am starting to think I may be my own fairy god mother. . . responsible for it all. :( Very sad. I hope that things improve and quickly there at your house. :)