THE UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had it with winter.
Don’t get me wrong, the cooler temperatures were nice for a moment; a welcome reprieve from the endless 100-degree days we faced from May through October last year. I’ve been able to wear my hair down without sweating and even got to break in my new Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch jacket. We got some much-needed rain in the area and the snow was a nice little treat.
Then, the sickness descended … Not only upon not only my house, but also the office.
Day 1: It all started with that dreaded call from the school nurse and picking up my 7-year-old son early with fever and headache. I knew his little best friend had been diagnosed with the flu the day before, so off to the doctor we went; he tested negative for flu and strep.
Day 2: Fevers stayed in the 103-degree realm and lots of naps were taken. Not eating much because everything tasted “weird.” Mom and dad still holding strong. On this day, school was canceled for the following Tuesday, due to the incoming weather.
Day 3: More fever, more naps. On this day, my husband starts to feel bad. Mom still holding on strong.
Day 4: Kiddo wakes up with no fever, hallelujah! Husband wakes up with a solid fever and quickly goes back to bed. On this day, I start to feel optimistic that all will be well by the time school is back in session on Wednesday. I also find out that seven of my child’s classmates were out sick on this day.
Day 5: Just kidding, kiddo wakes up with a fever, again. Back to the doctor we go, where he tests positive for the flu (still negative for strep and COVID-19). Did he have the flu all along or is this a new virus? “It’s hard to know,” the doctor says.
Day 6: Fever is still going strong, but it’s snowing! We take a couple trips outside because, well, he’s a Texas kid and very rarely gets to see the snow. Dad stays inside with his medicine and lots of water.
Day 7: Welp, the snow must have done the trick because the fever has broken again. Dad’s symptoms are mostly gone, everyone has a normal day at home. Until … mom comes home with fever, headache and cough and goes straight to bed. You didn’t think I would actually skirt passed this unscathed, did you?
Day 8: Child goes back to school. Dad feels better. Mom takes medicine and quarantines in her office for the day.
Days 9 & 10: Everyone is tired, but no fevers, no headaches, just a chorus of coughing throughout the day.
Day 11: Son spikes a fever again.
It’s Day 12 as I write this. My son is home sick from school, but his fever has broken again. What tomorrow will bring is anyone’s guess.
If you’ve made it this far through my rambling, here is my message: We still have at least a month left of winter, so wash your hands, cover your coughs/ sneezes and if you (or your child) are sick, please stay home.
Oh, and hang in there, friends. This, too, shall pass.
Kontnier is the publisher for the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. She can be reached by emailing [email protected].
