Quarantine

Why is it that when my boys get sick, it rarely is the run of the mill cold?  When my boys get sick, it's something with a name and requires steroids or antibiotics.  For instance, since we last got sick almost six months ago, when both boys had bronchitis and LL eventually progressed into pneumonia, they've been perfectly healthy - not even a sniffle.  Then, last week, Lucas came down with ear infections in both ears, and LL randomly came down with a fever and started with this awful cough, just all of sudden, out of no where.  The next morning, LL woke up with NO voice.  Literally.  I know I've wished he would stop talking on more than a few occasions, but never have I wanted it this way.  My poor little baby was sick and it broke my heart to see him trying to whisper and use hand gestures to communicate. 

When I called the doctor's office, they asked me to bring him in right away as soon as we could get there.  I thought maybe he had laryngitis or something...nope, he had croup and was apparently very contagious.  I was told to go home and stay home and try and keep the boys apart as much as that was possible.  For LL, it wouldn't be too big of a deal, he's already been vaccinated and his case would be mild with only a day or two of heavy coughing but even then it would be nothing compared to what it could be had he not had the vaccine.  Lucas on the other hand, hasn't had the complete vaccine yet, only the first dose. 

So far, he hasn't shown any symptoms of infection, and I dare to hope this will pass without him getting infected.  LL on the other hand has been living it up, with a nice little set up of pillows and blankets on the couch and taking full advantage of doctor's orders to watch as much TV and movies as he likes as long as he is relaxing.  He is mildly going stir crazy but for most of the day he is enjoying himself since Mom isn't pushing quiet time.

Friday he should be able to go back to school and by tomorrow we should be able to leave the house.  Today seems to be the worst so far as far as his cough goes.  I'm well equipped though and have been giving him a steady dose of cough syrup (which seems to do nothing), Vick's vapor rub on his feet (which works the best believe it or not) and the steroids the doctor prescribed.  We'll be better soon and hopefully we can have a cold here and there to further prevent any major illnesses.