Friday 21 January 2011

Sick, sick, sick!

Yup I am afraid this post has absolutely nothing to do with scrapbooking!  In fact, I, at the moment, have nothing to do with scrapbooking!  Just thought I would let you know {those of you who don't follow my frantic Facebook status updates LOL} that I am man doooooown right now.  Apparently I should be better by Monday but I am not perking up as I was hoping.  I took a single dose antibiotic yesterday that is a new "thing" {for South Africa at least} & 24 hours later I'd say I'm slightly better, but not heaps.

I have laryngitis so can't talk.  That may sound peaceful but the reality is awful, particularly as today was pay day for the universities & we have been doing our research all week & had to make the final decision today over which one to choose.  Hubs had to do all the talking over the phone to the respective peeps with me scribbling notes on a clipboard - pretty hilarious really!  Would be a bit more funny if my head wasn't splitting in two though...

It started in Jo'burg the day before we were scheduled to return to Durban.  Cami became distraught with a pain in her ear.  We took her to the trauma centre there as it was evening.  She had an ear infection & was prescribed Augmentin.  It cleared up well.  Then Jack followed suit - but with a throat infection, again, an antibiotic was administered & it cleared up well.  Then Camryn became really ill.  Nausea, vomiting, fever, lethargy.  Then she came out with spots.  They spread.  EVERYWHERE.  She's had all her measles jabs so the doctor suggested tick-bite fever & she was tested for both.  And malaria.  Just in case...

When you've recently visited somewhere as remote & rural as we have you definitely want to rule that out before it progresses further.  We battled through the longest 24 hours in living history - a portion of it power-less because we had to switch off our house mains as our house nearly caught fire!  There was a problem with our main outlet from our distribution board & a section of it melted, causing a very concerning burning smell & a very hot-to-touch DB board!

Oh yeah - it's been a ride this week I tell you...We asked the fire department to come & check that nothing was smouldering in our ceiling as it was after midnight so we couldn't phone an electrician at that hour.  They arrived in full regalia, firemen, hoses & in a gigantic engine!  If I wasn't so concerned that my house may shortly be ashes I would have asked them to line up against it for a picture.  Somehow that seemed grossly inappropriate at the time LOL...

We had to switch off the mains (which apparently would have tripped shortly after in any case) & spend the next 12 hours sweltering with no airconditioning, in the dark with no lights, dealing with a very sick & vomiting little girl.  After making no improvement yesterday I took to Google, worried that if we didn't take action Cami would have to be hospitalised for dehydration.  The fact that she seemed to be struggling to breathe was also very distressing. 

Then it dawned on me...She was having an allergic reaction to the Augmentin (penicillin based)!!!!  I gave her a dose of antihistamine & her improvement was almost immediate.  The fever left, her temperature went down & she slept like a baby!  Her spots are fading & the doctor is, I think, a tad miffed that I made the correct diagnosis while she did not.  Thank goodness for Google.  Really.  Technology is awesome.  Technophobes be gone.  If I hadn't been able to do that research she would probably be on a drip right now! 

So she is happily watching TV now while I am the one languishing in bed, not capable of much else right now & not on my pc so without my e mail.  I have been enjoying scrolling through the Creating Keepsakes blog though, oogling at all the wonderful workspaces they have on show there right now for their Organisational week.  If you haven't taken a look yet I suggest you do.  Inspirational.  I am itching to get back in to my Studio & have a major sort-out!

12 comments:

Stefanie said...

Shame, I did see some of what you were going through on facebook. Your comment about the firemen made me smile. When I took a photo of Rosie and her teacher she asked me if I was a scrapbooker, think she knows Mom's like me?
Sorry meant to send you "feel better soon" wishes too.

Lynette Jacobs said...

Oh Helen, what a terrible way to start a new year. Sending lots of prayer and good wishes your way.

Vicki said...

What a week! Glad that Cami is feeling better now and what a worry. No wonder its your turn to get sick so hope you are feeling a whole heap better really soon.

Diana said...

You can't talk but you can type!
Get better soon, everyone!

Ella Swan said...

Yup thank Goodness I can type LOL! It is truly awful let me tell you - if I'm not fine tomorrow depression could well set in ;-D

topkatnz said...

Take care hon - try to rest. Glad Cami is on the mend.

Shayne said...

Shame you guys have really been through the wars! Hope that you are on the mend today. xxx

Pearl said...

o my ! that's quite a ride , hun ! trust you are recovering well by the time of this comment ! ;)

brigitte said...

hope you feeling better!!!

tania said...

hope that you are feeling a bit better already:)
i have ear infection too!!
rest and get better!!
{{hugs}}
xxx

Desire Fourie said...

Oh no, so sorry to hear about the sick ward at your place. Hope you feel yourself soon. I had to chuckle amidst the seriousness of the DB burning, etc., the dedicated photographer in you still could not be tamed!

Kim said...

Glad to hear your daughter is feeling better! You have some amazing pictures!