Ever feel like you lived a few days all at once?  Yep.  Today would be one of those days.  From the physical to the emotional – I am shot.  And it is only the BEGINNING of the week!

We walked today, my mom, my friend and I.  When Mom picked me up this morning we were both a little grumpy.  then we both cried a little.  It just seemed wrong heading out without Meghan.  But I took some solace in the fact that when I kissed her at 6:30 AM her skin was blessedly cool to the touch.  Maybe it was over.

So we picked up our  friend, and determined to enjoy the sunshine, we were in central Park a few minutes after 7.  Professionals by now, we do all of our shopping, and gathering of “free stuff,”  then we walk it to the car so we can race pretty much unencumbered.  And Meghan, for having not been there, made out quite well in a wide array of paid items and “free stuff.”  Well deserved!

Manhattan was crowded as ever, but thanks to my aggressive little Mom we were up close to the front when the race began.  We moved aside to allow for the runners and then had a really enjoyable walk without the tight crowds we sometimes experience.  We got to chat and walk, and enjoy each other and the sunshine.

At the finish line. Aren’t we pretty in pink?  🙂

So after a fun and exhausting morning we headed home.  Meghan was so thrilled that we hadn’t forgotten about her.  I was less than thrilled to see her on the couch, a clear indicator that the fever returned.

So, just like that came the transformation from walker to Mom.  We started making plans for who would watch her Monday.  She reminded us about her friend, and ours, a neighbor who loves her like she is her own.  Meghan said, “Just ask Patty!”  So I did.  Patty will be here at 7:15.
Thinking it was all taken care of, we sent Meghan for a nap.  Restless a few minutes later, the thermometer revealed a scary 104.2.  Knowing what he would say, I had to call the pediatrician anyway.  That number is too high for me. So, he happened to be in his office and invited us to come in.  (I adore my pediatrician.)

He spent a few minutes sizing her up.  The Tylenol was starting to work and she was down to 103.7.  After an agonizing 20 minutes he sent us for blood work at a local ER.  I am not a big fan of the local hospitals, but thought perhaps a brief visit MIGHT be ok.  Not so much.

In the literally blood spattered walls of a tiny room with no access to TV or cell phone, we sat while they took 2 blood cultures and a CBC.  She admitted at 4 PM with a fever of 102.9.  They gave her a dose of Motrin.   We waited for the blood for almost 2 hours.  As I grew anxious they told me they were having trouble finding it.  Almost ready to leave, it turned up – with a terribly low white blood cell count, but nothing else noteworthy.  We left quickly, being discharged at 6:30 with 99.4, having learned/remembered 2 things.

1. It is not OK – even for a short visit, and

2. Motrin – Motrin – Motrin

We had a hard time deciding who got to shower first as we cleaned off the filth we had just been in.  Dinner, some TV, WINE(for me – not her!), and it was off to bed.  Fever free at 8:30.

Headed up now for the 11PM Clindamycin.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Every day is a great adventure!