Resurface to breathe

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Resurface to catch some air. Inhales, exhales, inhales, exhales. Goes back under water…

Yes, I’m human and I need to breathe. Just like dolphins who breathe air from their blow hole, which is the hole on top of their head, I breathe words on my blog, which is the submerryn that is keeping me from drowning in the rough water right now. 

When the kids were down with fever and spots started developing in Ayden’s mouth, I crossed my fingers pleading for it NOT to be HFMD. Though deep down in my heart I knew it is, I was still hoping for it to be a false alarm. The moment it was confirmed that both my boys caught the dreaded Hand, Foot, Mouth disease, I was so, so mad. I was thinking to myself, “what LUCK for Ethan to be catching this twice?! Haven’t he suffered enough?!” When he first caught it 3 years ago, it was extremely terrible that he had ulcers all over his throat and spots on his entire body. He couldn’t eat and drink but we forced him in order to keep him properly hydrated. 

Now, Ayden at 8 months old had to suffer the same? I went nuts the moment Ayden stopped eating his porridge. I was afraid, simply afraid that he will stop eating and drinking just like Ethan but thank goodness though he wasn’t eating, he still latches on and feeds on my milk. Same goes to Ethan. I pumped and pumped so he can drink my milk. I heard that breast milk is good to fight ulcers. I don’t know how true that is but what I do know is both the boys recovered from fever after only a day. There must be some goodness in my milk after all.

We had only one mission – to keep the boys hydrated because the moment they get dehydrated is the moment they’ll need to be hospitalized for drips. It was tough to get Ethan to drink up. He cried asking, “why is there such a thing as HFMD? It’s so painful, I’m suffering” I could not answer him. One night while crying he told his father, “I don’t want to sleep. I’m dying” The pain in his throat is so unbearable that he thought this is how people die from sickness :'(

We slept separately at nights. Darling with Ethan in the master bedroom while Ayden and I in the guest room. It was Darling’s idea. He said it is too much for me to handle two sick boys day and night so he suggested to take over Ethan at nights. Boy, am I glad he did because both the boys kept waking up throughout the nights and I can’t imagine having to attend to both continuously. Darling went a step further by taking half day off throughout the week. He only goes to work after lunch, everyday since Monday until today. 

It was exam week in school. We called the teacher to inform about Ethan’s condition only to be asked what HFMD is. I couldn’t believe my ears. How can a teacher not know what HFMD is? Anyway, the teacher told us that Ethan HAS to return to school in a week’s time or his exam will be forfeited. He wont be allowed to sit for his exam after that. By hook or by crook we will need to send Ethan back to school. THAT is very reassuring. I am glad they take very stern action in handling an outbreak *sarcasm intended*

On the positive side, Ethan has shown much improvement. The only thing bugging him now is his throat so it looks like he will be able to get back to school next week. Ayden is as good as new. He is eating, drinking and pooping as usual already. Today, a surprise package was delivered to our doorstep. It was from NESTUM Malaysia.

You can see how pale Ethan is in the picture. After being in chaos for a week trying to get the kids to eat, drink and not vomit, it feels really nice to receive such a thoughtful gift; knowing that somebody is thinking of us and wishing us well is simply wonderful. Suddenly, Ethan got so energetic to open up the package to check what’s inside. He immediately tore the Chocolate flavoured Nestum 3-in-1 pack because he has never tried that before. We usually buy the one with oats. 

Alright. Breathing blog time is over. I need to get some sleep now as I myself is recuperating from flu. My throat starts to hurt too…