It’s never easy when the whole family is sick at the same time. Here is my experience fighting off Mastitis while taking care of a toddler with bronchitis.
Last week started off pretty yucky. We brought Annabelle to the doctor for her vaccinations and a weight check. We left with a Nebulizer for Bronchitis. Brandon also started feeling sick again – he’s been sick since Christmas and already did a round of Amoxicillin – so he hasn’t been his normal self. I’m starting to worry a little about him…
When Mom Gets Sick with Mastitis
Then, on Wednesday, I started feeling a bit run down. By Thursday, I was feeling pretty awful. On Friday… well Friday I was a mess. I was achy, my head was pounding, my nose both runny and stuffy, and my breasts hurt. My left breast hurt so bad I would scream if I accidentally touched it. My Mommy friends said maybe I had mastitis.
I thought I was just achy from being sick. I don’t know how I did it, but I drove to school at 6 am so I could prepare lesson plans for the afternoon. I knew I was going to have to see a doctor. I don’t really recall driving home from school around lunchtime because everything hurt so bad. I was now sure I had the flu… I got home and tried to nap, but I was shivering and in so much pain that I just laid on the couch like a zombie. When I stood up to go to the doctor I felt like I had the worst hangover, combined with the after effects of being knocked in the head with a brick.
After waiting an hour to get a diagnosis, the doctor told me I had Mastitis and sinusitis. My 104 fever was from the infection in my breast and the reason for my confusion. My headache was from the infection in my sinuses. Before heading into bed for the weekend, I ran to the pharmacy to get some powerful antibiotics.
Just when you think you’re better, someone else in the family gets sick
On Sunday I finally felt a little better. Annabelle, however, had been running a low grade fever all weekend and was NOT her normal happy self. The vaccinations did a number on her and the wheezing returned. Plus, every time the Tylenol or Motrin wore off, she went crazy. We kept her hydrated and regulated as best as we could.
Last night she came to bed with us. At 3 am, she woke me up by standing on top of me shouting, “DADA!” She continued to shout and point and babble nonsense. “MAMA. DADA. Ba (bunny).” She was crawling all over me, yelling, trying to get to Mcmuffin at the end of the bed, when Brandon decided to take her to her room to rock her.
Soon I heard the pitter patter of her feet in the hallway and her little shouts. Then I heard Brandon ask,”What’s wrong Annabelle?” He brought her into the room and said he was worried. She was shivering.
To me, there is nothing more frightening than a child with a fever in the middle of the night.
I felt her head and immediately knew her fever had returned. After discovering her temp was only 100, I brought her back to bed to nurse her to sleep. She relaxed for a bit, but was soon touching my face and picking her head up to look around the room like she was hearing something. Suddenly she sat up and vomited all over me. She continued to vomit all over her bunny, the bed, and herself.
Babies throwing up is the WORST thing in the world. They are so scared and so helpless. We stripped her to clean her off and I felt her little body was burning up. I checked her temperature – 103.6.
It’s nothing but misery when the whole family is sick at the same time.
I never went back to sleep. Her and I sat awake watching Disney Jr. until my alarm went off at 5:15am so I could get ready for work. Then Brandon took over until his Dad came to get her.
What happens next?
I’m impatiently waiting for a text from my in-laws that Annabelle is feeling better. Hopefully they’ll say she is fever/throw up free. I just don’t want her fever to spike again. I don’t know how or why it got so high.
It’s been months since I have run on such little sleep. It’s impossible to rest when the family is sick at the same time. I’m tired – cranky – my boob aches – and I just wanna cry. I keep telling myself – things aren’t THAT bad, but our little family needs to catch a break.
For everyone reading, send some strength our way!
Lisette says
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about all of this crap! When it rains it DOES pour! I hope you all feel better son!
Caitlin says
Thanks friend!
Andrea says
Oh no, what a weekend. Hope you all feel better soon!
Caitlin says
Thanks Andrea!
Shelby says
Bless your heart! Hope you and your family get to feeling better again soon!! Praying for y’all!
Caitlin says
Thank you Shelby!
Caitlin says
oh hunny! I remember when I had that and it was awful! I hope you feel better soon dear! Sending lots of hugs, cookies and smiles your way!
Bri Bliss says
Ella ran a ridiculously high fever at the end of last week – 104.5. I had her at the doctor twice. Finally, after a ton of testing to rule out infections , they decided she had Influenza B & sent me home. Luckily her fever broke on Saturday, but I’m right there with you. Sick babies are the worst! I hope she feels better soon!
Caitlin says
I can’t believe they didn’t know she had the flu right away. Did they do a flu test? They did one yesterday on her (plus strep) and it all came back negative. Fevers are just so scary with babies, even though there is a recording when you call the doctor’s office that says “fevers shouldn’t be scary!”. Hope she is on the mend now.
Jess Beer says
Oh my gosh! I hope you’re all feeling better soon!!!
Caitlin says
Thank you so much Jess!
Noelle McKaig says
I am so sorry everyone is sick! Hoping you all get better quick!! And that everyone gets a restful nights sleep!
Caitlin says
Thank you Noelle!
Its.the.Little.THings says
I’m so sorry that you guys are having such a terrible week. I hope things look up soon. I’ll say a little prayer for your family.
Caitlin says
Thank you girl!
Brittney says
Oh no…. I am so sorry your little family has been under the weather! Praying for a speedy recovery for all! Sending lots of hugs your way!
Hilary says
Oh girl, puking babies are THE WORST. Their little faces when it happens… poor things.
Mastitis is awful, too. I had it 4x. Keep drinking as much water as possible and pump pump pump when you aren’t nursing. I know it hurts, but keep massaging that breast, too. Especially when she’s eating/you’re pumping. I always got the sweats for 2-3 days afterwards, too. For no reason, I would break out in the sweats – no matter what the temperature outside was. I know that’s a side effect – so be prepared!
I hope you guys feel better soon!
Caitlin says
YES their faces are just awful. They look at you like, “Why Mommy? Why is this happening?” I can’t stand it.
Tayler Morrell says
So sorry none of you have been feeling well!
Nikki says
Girl I totally feel ya! #babybigtruck has been sick all month. What started as an ear infection and bronchitis turned into viral pneumonia. We have been in and outta the hospital, doctors offices ect. Mr. Big Truck had a sinus infection and an ear infection too. Its been a rough month! Hope y’all feel better soon!
Caitlin says
You poor things too!! I hope everyone gets better soon!
Stacey Y. says
Sending hugs, kisses and get well wishes your way!!!
It’s so hard when you have a sick child….but then when mama and daddy are sick too….yikes!!!! Not fun. I hope ya’ll feel better real soon. I wish I could send you some sleep. I haven’t had much myself. I know how you feel. It’s hard to function. :/ Hope you have a good day. xoxo
Caitlin says
Thank you Stacey!
lindsay says
Hold fast dear friend! We have been 0 out of 4 in our house of 4 since Dec. 23. Colds/flu/Croup/Ear infections (highest fevers i’ve ever seen!) and we are just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! As you sit awake late into the night, feel encouraged that although we don’t want to be awake, there are others fight the good (yet awful) fight with you! 🙂
Caitlin says
Geez louise thats awful!!!! Hoping you’re all in the clear soon!