First of all, it is difficult to even put into words the horror of Connecticut. I can't even begin to fathom why this happened. Friday, 12/14/12 was supposed to be an exciting day. School was released for Christmas break. Everyone I encountered was in a holiday mood. The sun was out after hiding for a couple of days. Given where I work, it is very easy to be "cut off" from the world during the workday. My homepage on the Internet at work isn't MSN or Yahoo or even a CNN or USA Today. It is simply Google. So, I had no idea that anything had happened. I attended a last minute lunch date with friends at a local restaurant. We (the co-workers) are so used to gobbling our food down in 20 minutes (that includes using the restroom, returning phone calls, making copies, etc.) that it was nice to relax and chew my food properly. One of my friends mentioned the tragedy of Connecticut and I was like: WHAT?
After lunch, I made a decision-- I was going on a television blackout. I would read about it, but I wasn't going to watch helicopters roving over the poor school or look at pictures of distraught people. A few days out, it turns out that a lot of the information given out on Friday was speculation. Why do news organizations feel the need to be the first to say something, even if they are wrong, is beyond me. It was a tragedy, plain and simple. As a mom, teacher, human being... it was truly horrifying.
Let me go back in time for a second. April 1999. Columbine.
I was pregnant with my second child. My first pregnancy was two weeks beyond the due date and I had a C-section. With my second pregnancy, I had a scheduled induction set for for an attempted V-Bac (vaginal birth after cesarean) which VBACs aren't recommended anymore. Nonetheless, I thought I had it all figured out because I was a planner. Noticed I said "was". God really is the planner, not me.
I was ironing clothes ( part of the nesting syndrome, because I hate to iron) and the regular programming was interrupted by the news of Columbine. Being a teacher, mom, human being... this really tore me up. I had terrible nightmares. The next day was foggy at best, but not much time for rest because I also had a 16 month old (story for another blog post) to chase around. That night, I didn't sleep well again and got up at 4am and ate chocolate chip cookies ( not a wise dietary choice). I wasn't as smart then and watched the Columbine news loop over and over. At 11am it dawned on me that maybe I should call my doctor because I just wasn't feeling right. The nurse told me to get down there (there, being a town 50 miles away) as soon as possible. (delivery is a story for another blog post). My second son was born that day, two weeks before his due date. It was a scary delivery and the weeks afterwards were life changing (he spent weeks in the NICU).
I never asked the doctor, but I really believe the stress of watching those horrifying images, coupled with being a teacher/mom really put me into labor.
Lots changed since 1999. We had a faculty/staff school shooting drill with local agencies a few years ago. We have school intruder drills. My door is always locked. I wonder what will change because of Connecticut? Sad.
Instead of watching the news this weekend, we watched Georgia Southern play North Dakota State on ESPN II. This is a big deal for GSU to be on television. The Eagles loss a heartbreaker and it was cool to see Gus on national TV. After the game, R2 said he had a headache, but I attributed it to the wrap up of a long school week.
The next day, I went to the gym. The boys were asleep but that is normal for a weekend, and teens like to sleep late.
When I got home, both boys were obviously sick. I knew in my gut what it was... and asked a few questions... Both were laying down and could barely lift their heads. I asked: "do you have chills" yes, "do you feel dizzy", yes, "do you feel achy all over", yes. YEAH, it is the FLU which is abbreviated for influenza. Damn.
Flu Symptoms
The flu is different from the common cold. With flu, one or more of the following symptoms will come on suddenly — about 48 to 72 hours after contact with the virus:
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
My mind went into overdrive.
It is the weekend. This can't wait to see their regular nurse practitioner. I quickly went to the Internet (what did we do before the Internet? Why is Internet capitalized?) and printed off patient information sheets for Doctors Care. People can say whatever they want about places like Doctors Care, but when you need it on a weekend... you need it.
Mark went to get gas for the family covered wagon
and I loaded up pillows and blankets. R2 really wanted to lay down in the back, but I stressed that he had to wear a seatbelt. Once again, we made the 50 mile trip to Doctor's Care and find out what I already knew. The receptionist was glad that I had filled out all the paperwork and I seemed to connect with her caustic sense of humor. She said there were multiple flu cases in the area. I ran into a former co-worker in the lobby (HIPAA laws prevent me from telling you... this person had: yeah, you guessed it..the flu).
We didn't have to wait long. Even after a dose of ibuprofen, R2 was still sporting a fever. R1's fever had come down and his personality had returned for which I was grateful. We looked like a walking billboard for the local high school with our sweatpants, teeshirts, and sweatshirts. I was even sporting a school watch. They put R1/R2 in the same exam room.
We were met by Dr. Patch Adams who also had a caustic sense of humor, you had to think fast or you would totally miss what he was implying.
Fortunately, I am somewhat fluent in sarcasm so I was able to interpret pretty quickly. With no surprise, the boys received their diagnosis. Tamiflu for everyone!
There was a drugstore conveniently located in the same parking lot. I quickly decided to have the Rx filled there because I was worried that I would return to my town and the pharmacy would be closed. Yes, I could have looked up the hours on the Internet, but I wanted to get the meds in them asap. I also worried that I would arrive in my small town and the pharmacist would inform me that they were out of Tamiflu and it would arrive on the next truck. That has happened before-- I guess small towns can't stock like cities. So, I went to CVS and met "no personality" pharmacy tech. Now, in her defense (I also have a medical background- blog for another post) I know its flu season and the pharmacy is slammed. I told her that we were from out of town and the pharmacy tech said to give them an hour. Ok. We went to Chic-Fil A
Did I mention that the meteorologist told me on Thursday that it was going to be sunny and she was wrong. Instead,t he day was battleship gray depressing which really enhanced all of our dispositions.
We pulled up to the CVS parking lot and people watched for a little bit. After almost 2 hours, I said that I would go check on the Rx. I was supposed to get a text when the prescriptions were ready. But, it is kind of like being at Outback and wondering if the buzzer waiting for your table is working properly.
I inquired and Ms. No Personality asked the pharmacist about the status and barked it would be at least another hour because they were busy. Well, the ball was in their court and me pitching a fit wasn't going to make the medicines get ready any faster. I just gave the: "I've got sick kids in the car and we've got a 50 mile trip to make, blah, blah, blah" and they rendered no emotion. Oooooo Kkkkkkkk. I texted Mark that I was not happy and but was going to wait it out inside the store. Have you ever wandered up and down every aisle at CVS? I looked at all the "As seen on TV" junk. I looked at the cards, magazines, make up, Christmas decorations, ice cream, etc.
Finally, my text came through... could it be? or, were they "playing" with me? I went up the counter and alas, the Rx was ready! I recovered from the sticker shock cost of the medicine, hopefully I will rack up on my CVS coupons because of this purchase.
I administered the medicine and we made the trek back home. Mark was an excellent driver because I was able find Kleenex, bottle H20, etc. for our precious cargo.
Now, we are on quarantine. Happy holiday, boys!! Today, we were supposed to go to Sunday school, church, and attend some drop ins tonight. I say some because 2 of them were at the same time in different towns, so I hadn't figured that one out what we were going to do. Remember, I said I used to be a planner.
So, I have been disinfecting our home and washing laundry with a vengeance. We are stocked with soup and Poweraide, so we may not leave for a couple of days.
You may even see a white flag flying outside.
So, I enacted movie catch up time. I dug out what we had-- some of them are ones that I'm saying: "oh, you haven't seen this, you GOT to watch it-- its a classic". Of course, I have scratched Contagion and Outbreak.
So far, we have watched: Men in Black III, Elf and got them started on A Few Good Men. Left in my que includes: The Green Mile, Shawshank Redemption, Fried Green Tomatoes, and John Q. We still have pay-per-view and the free trial of Starz channels left on Direct TV. Today will probably have them watching the Redskins/Cowboys came, too. Even though, the boys are miserable, at least we don't have the Sunday night blues where we are trying to get ready for the school week. I guess buying all that fruit loaded with vitamin C from the band did not prevent the flu from arriving at our house.
Hope the flu does not arrive at your house. I know it has already appeared at so many.
If you made it this far in reading...thanks and remember to wash your hands:)
Today is also the 3rd Sunday of Advent
