Wisdom and Worry

I was mid-diaper change and ran out of wipes and asked BubTar to fetch the diaper bag for me.

Me: BubTar, what would I do without you?

BubTar: Well, you and dad wouldn't be parents and KayTar wouldn't be here so you wouldn't even need the wipies, Mom.

Me: Wow. That's deep. I just meant you are a good helper.

BubTar: Well, yeah.



****

In StrepWatch: September2007 news (I have to put the month in so it isn't confused with StrepWatch: January2007 or StrepWatch: May2007), KayTar woke up without a fever! She has taken in about 8 ounces of clear fluids and a jar of green beans. She had a wet morning diaper and has wet a second since then. She has diarrhea, but isn't vomiting. She felt better for the majority of the morning, but I think she overdid it and it hit her like a ton of bricks. After her bath, she stayed perfectly still, wrapped in her towel and cradled in Josh's arms. It is so uncharacteristic of her, that it really hits home how poorly she is feeling. But still, it was so sweet.



She is napping now, but I just peeked in on her. She hasn't touched her bottle and her diaper is dry as can be...four hours now. It isn't too long, not nearly, we were at the twelve hour mark when we finally conceded to go in last time, but I like to find at least a dampened diaper when I check her. I'm sure once she wakes and drinks, that will change...but it all feels like so much a precarious balancing act with her. Things can turn in a blink. If she wakes up and feels worse, she won't drink and in turn, she won't pee and then the clock will just keep ticking. I know, I know; I'm worrying about nothing and everything. But to me, it feels like preparation and prevention, and that is how I cope. Nothing is critical at the moment, and yet, I know it could be...I feel it looking over my shoulder, waiting; the memory of the last experience casting its shadow over this one. And so I busy myself tracking her intake and output, charting fevers, pushing fluids, making notes, because really that is all I can do. The rest lies with KayTar and I have to trust that this time, her body will step in and take what it needs.

***

Edited to add: She is did better post-nap. She waited a total of 6 hours to wet a diaper, but since then has wet another. She refused fluids when she first woke, but later decided to take about 4 ounces and two jars of food! She's still having diarrhea, but not to an outrageous extent. So all in all, I think everything will be just fine. I think that she turned that proverbial corner this evening. I hope she did, anyway.

And no one else has shown symptoms! The incubation period is generally 2-5 days, so we have a few more days before knowing for sure if we've escaped, but so far, so good!

[I really hope I'm not jinxing myself here.]