Flu Bug Hits Hard

Thursday, March 15, 2001

I've never seen such a horrible flu bug!  Our two little people were violently ill!

It started Sunday night at 10:00 PM.  Tim had dozed off on the couch with Erin curled up on him. Then Erin let loose!

We got the washing machine going and put Erin into the bathtub, then warm, clean jammies.  All happy again, Erin fell back to sleep.

Not even 45 minutes later, Preston's tummy joined in.

Tim suggested we "camp out" in the living room.  It was brilliant!  Near the washing machine, kitchen and bathroom! We put the futon to good use, added the playpen and a "little bed" for Erin on the floor.

 It was an all night vigil.  Tim handled the throwing up (the smell makes me do the same), and I got the diaper end of things (which makes Tim get sick).  We were quite a team!

Monday was spent doing more of the same and by Tuesday, I wasn't sure if I was going to run out of diapers or laundry soap first! 

They couldn't keep anything down.  They had been on only liquids for over two days, but one little sip started the process all over again! 

Laundry, 

a bath, 

fresh diapers,

 or all of the above...

 I put in a call to our friend Dr. Brunelle.  The nurse called me back with some helpful hints. She had some bad news,  "This could be bounced around over and over if you don't take some precautions..."

Precautions?  I had been using only hot water for laundry and washing dishes (our hot water tank was screaming for mercy).  I took a bleach and water solution to all the floors (the poor hardwood flooring), concentrating on those areas I knew the kids had been sick.  We always have antibacterial soap on hand for washing "farm fresh eggs" with -- they DO come from a chicken's butt ya' know...

Today is Thursday and things are looking up.  Erin changed out of her jammies and into her ballerina outfit to help me with the carpet cleaner.  

Preston is awake and happy on Wednesday.

Erin was hit the hardest.

By Wednesday, she slept away at least 80% of the day.  She would wake up long enough for a sip of something and a diaper change, then curl back up for a couple more hours of rest.

It takes a little longer to clean with this kind of help...