OK, need a quick reminder to be thankful for a very happy and healthy child? Well, let me introduce you to one of the most nasty viruses we have ever been exposed to: coxsackievirus or more commonly known as "hand, foot, mouth virus". You see, you never quite know what the problem is until you are about 2-3 days into the virus. Karsten was just not herself on Monday night at dinner and just picked at her food. We asked if her teeth hurt as her 2 yr molars should be cutting at any time? Yes, well, maybe, and a sore throat too. She was just not herself.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning when Grandma took K to school as mommy had early morning swim class and daddy had to get to work. I got a call from school that Karsten was just not herself and may have a low grade fever. Hmmm...those dang molars-how about some Motrin and call me if she is not better. Well daddy took sick leave and went to get her at school. She progressively got worse that day and Grandma mentioned to daddy that K had a weird thing on her tongue. Thought nothing of it.
Tuesday night-we were up 3 times in the night with her-SCREAMING. This has not happened since she was a newborn...what the heck is going on? We simply cannot figure this one out. So Wednesday mommy stays home with K and she is clingly, won't eat anything is crying out of the clear blue in pain-and often. More Motrin and more questions. I am concerned about these things on her tongue and also for over a day of not eating-so not normal for my child. I call the dentist to ask if her molars could be causing weird things on her tongue. Dentist is not convinced so we take her in. After pinning her down and almost having to pry her mouth open we see it-HUGE open sores ALL OVER HER MOUTH. On her tongue, cheeks, tonsils, roof of her mouth, everywhere. So that answers it quickly. The dentist informed us that 3 patients had canceled because of this nasty virus and his neighbor kids had it too. Um, great. How long will this last? 5-7 days. And the sores, about 5 days. NOT FUN!
Moral of the story-be thankful first for a very healthy and happy child, it gets you thru those times when they are not so pleasant; be thankful that you have sick days to use, there are times when you really do need to use them; be thankful for good bosses that understand when you really need to use your sick days, with a really sick child. We are thankful for all of these things and more...and will be especially thankful when poor Karsten's mouth is back to normal!
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