The Boy In The Glass Bubble

As parents we are always trying to protect our kids from anything that may hurt them - booboos, mean people, heartache, sickness, whatever. But reality is reality and we can't always do it. So was my reality today.

Soren started getting sick Sunday morning with what sounded like a cold. Stuffy nose and the glazed eye look. We camped out for most of the day hoping that it would run its course and then pass on by, but by the evening he had a low grade fever. Zane and I were sure that must have picked something up on first day of preschool even though he was only there for one hour. It was like he went into the hot zone for an hour and came out with the plague.

By Monday things were not getting better. The fever was inching up and his head congestion sounded worse even though there was no runny nose. By Monday evening, he had very swollen glands on the sides of his neck and was sleepy. After digging in my toddler book everything was looking like strep throat and according to his symptoms we could wait until the the morning to call the doctor and so we did.

Promptly, as the phone lines would allow, we had an appointment within 20 minutes after our call. I really appreciate our pediatrician's office - they make every effort to get us in when we need it. After a somewhat uncomfortable strep test for my little, bless his little heart, the test came back negative. The doctor wanted to be sure of what was going on so he sent us over for lab work to see if could be mono.

Sure enough, later that afternoon, the doctor called and said it was indeed mono! What in the world! We try so hard to make sure Soren has a good diet and gets plenty of sleep (despite the occasional protest). How could this be? After a bit of research on the good ol' fashion Internet, I learned that mono is not necessarily preventable as even healthy people can carry the virus in their salvia. Try as I might, I can't have my little man live in a glass bubble.

So for now, we are waiting out the storm as this is a virus and a bacterial infection (but keeping a close eye out for secondary bugs!). Lots of rest, movies, and hydration at our house. Soren is eating some and is happy to drink which I am grateful for. Mommy and Daddy are being extra extra sympathetic and trying to help our little feel better in any way possible.

Here's to a speedy recovery.

Night.