Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Gastroenteritis by any other name…

Last Thursday, I got a call from Hans' school. This was the second call of the week; the first one was 3 days prior to that! On Monday, Hans apparently fell and hurt himself very close to his left eye. Luckily there was a lunch monitor who happened to be a retired Registered Nurse! She dressed Hans' mini gash which was bleeding a bit and assured me that it doesn't need any stitches. Hans was very calm throughout the ordeal and he was called "brave" by the lovely lady. The most recent call was about Hans not looking too well! As I made my way to school, I was also thinking of how he missed 3 days of school the week before because of an ear infection - his 3rd in 3 months! He couldn't possibly have another ear infection while still on antibiotics?!

As I walked into the School Office, the Secretary told me that there seems to be something going around as ‎quite a few students have already been signed out by their parents. Somehow, that pushed the proverbial panic button and was not comforting in the least. I went to find my child who looked like he had been crying and as soon as he saw me, he started crying again. He complained that he had a tummy ache. First instinct was to rush him off to the washroom! It didn't help much and he burst out into tears. Hans' ECE, Ms F, asked me to check his lunch bag. I did and everything I packed was all there! So, maybe, Hans was hungry?!

Since Hans was crying so much, I decided to bring him home first and deal with feeding him then. It is quite possible he didn't like what I packed for lunch although it is most unlikely! So we  got home and as if he felt safe to do so, Hans threw up big time. Not once, but a few times for the rest of that day. Surprise laundry duty for Momley!

Friday went by without school for Hans and without much ado! I was tired from lack of sleep and looked forward to the Family Day long weekend. However, we still had Saturday classes to get through. It was Culture Day at the Heritage Language School. Every student had an opportunity to witness and learn from experts a traditional dance form. ASid looked at me and indicated that he didn't feel like dancing as he was extremely hungry. He is 12 and I can't force him to partake in something he didn't want to; I pulled him out to sit with the parents. One of the moms commented that growing boys are always hungry. ASid is never hungry!

As soon as Culture Day came to an end and students started filing out; ASid was first to leave the room followed a little later by Hans and myself! As soon as I stepped out, I saw 2 teachers directing students and parents to go around; about 80% of the hallway was unusable! What happened? As I moved closer, I saw my first born sitting on a bench staring forlornly at the big mess he had just made! How could I have not anticipated this happening?!

I rushed to help the teachers apologizing profusely. They were very gracious and one of them remarked that it is quite normal with kids. Craigley came by, took Hans from me and walked away silently. I got ASid to the closest washroom to clean him up. As we started driving home, I read a text from a parent at Hans' school. It was a kind warning. Her daughter was sick on Thursday as well and she had apparently transferred it to the mom! This parent was asking me to watch out for ASid! She said it was the Stomach Flu.

Too late! I shared the news with Craigley who was grimly driving the car. All he could mutter was something to the tune of how inconsiderate ASid was! The rest of Saturday went into taking care of ASid. This was not the Family Day weekend I had in mind. Sigh!

I canceled a plan to go to the AutoShow with my brother. ASid had been going to the AutoShow with his uncle since he was 2 and a half; at 12 and a half, he missed going to the AutoShow for the first time! Darn you Stomach Flu! I googled it like I was going to find it and destroy it and then I found out, that is not even its name! Anyways…that which we call Stomach Flu; by any other name would stink as much…and the bard would agree.

As I am typing on a sickly Sunday night, Craigley has succumbed to it as well; I am just hoping I am not next!

Note: As I am ready to post the above on a Tuesday evening, I have to admit that it got to me too!
 

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