Austin's Been Sick

He said...

Last Tuesday Austin started to get stuffy and had a really bad sore throat. His sore throat woke him from his nap almost panicked because it hurt so badly. In fact one of the times he woke up from his nap Jaclyn went in to comfort him and when she asked what she could do to help Austin replied, "Mama, it just stresses me out so bad!" Poor kid! That night we got out the humidifier and went to the store to get "sore throat" friendly foods--jello and pudding. That night his temperature was already up to 102-103 which didn't break until Thursday night. He felt good enough Friday (still stuffy but no fever) that we still went to Salt Lake for our family date (more to come later), but last night was rough. He was so exhausted--due no nap and 5 days of staying up later than usual--that he fell asleep early around 7 p.m. as I was reading him books. I laid him down on his bed and I thought he would have a good night's sleep.

Well, about an hour later, he woke up crying. I tried to console him. It didn't work. I thought some medicine would help. He didn't want to touch it. In fact, I aggravated him so much that he starting crying even worse, which then aggravated his throat and stomach to the point he threw up all over my shoulder.

I called Jaclyn in to help. In her own words:

I had run downstairs to get him some water and ran up and into his room to find Austin's face covered in red throw-up as well as David's shoulder. It looked like blood and I just about panicked! I realized it was strawberry, not blood (hallelujah!), and grabbed Austin and ran into the bathroom with him. We snuggled and I held him as he heaved (Mostly dry heaving, the most painful kind). We cleaned him up and I fought to hold back tears many many times. David and I both kept asking him questions like, "Do you want any medicine?" "Do you want any water" "Can I rub your back?" "Where does it hurt?" "Do you want me to wipe your mouth?" "Do you want me to hold you?" The answer to almost all of these questions was, "No." I finally wised up and asked, "Do you want me to stop talking?" and he said, "Yes." I can take a hint. :) I held him and gave him the bucket when he needed it and just loved him. Eventually I took him into his room and sat on his glider with him snuggled in my lap. I asked him if he wanted me to sing to him, and he said, "Yes." He requested the "ABC's" and then I sang "Twinkle Twinkle" but when I went to sing another children's song he told me no. He wanted me to sing church hymns to him. (He also wanted a blessing from David, which he did receive) I sang as many songs as I could think of and when I would sing he would calm down. When I would stop he would cough, his heart would start beating hard again and he would cry so painfully. I just kept singing. I sang and sang until long past the time he had fallen asleep in my arms.

If it wasn't for Jaclyn, I don't know what I would do. I had a panic moment when Austin was dry heaving and we couldn't do anything for him. Thank goodness for the power of the Priesthood and Jaclyn's angelic voice. Those were the only things that helped him calm down and get some rest.

Austin ended up pretty much sleeping through the rest of the night (a few bad dreams woke up him). He was up early this morning ready to watch TV and play baseball. He is hoarse and still has a cough, but in much better spirits this morning. Sadly, he's a little bored because we stayed home from church to let him and Jaclyn get extra rest. Austin missed the memo about resting. He keeps telling me how much he wants to go outside and play baseball, even to the point that he says "Jesus wants me to go outside and play a little baseball. Thank you, Jesus!"

Hopefully, he has nothing more than a sore throat that will pass in a couple of days with some TLC, but it was so sad to see him last night. I felt so helpless and frustrated. I also felt so bad for him because I knew he felt worse than I did. I know things could be MUCH WORSE, and I am grateful they aren't. Austin's a tough kid and will get over his cold soon. Let's just hope I can be a tough parent and learn what I need to learn too.