104.9

That is the temperature reading that sent this new mom into a tail spin late Wednesday morning. Christian had been feeling badly since Monday night. He had been very whinny after school and then the real clue to illness was that he let Appa feed him almost his whole dinner. CJ got started on his own, but made such little progress that Frig took over after he was finished with his own meal. Normally the little guy wants to feed himself right up to the very end when it gets difficult to get the last bits, but not that night. After he finished eating I picked him up from his chair to take him to the bath and could immediately tell that he was hotter than normal. It was if the fever had kicked in while he was eating.

Tuesday morning he woke us up 45 min earlier than usual and it was obvious he couldn't go to school. I took an underarm temperature and it was around 102 F. I put in for a substitute, but wanted the kids to get the most out of there day so we all three headed up to school super early so I could prepare. I setup the little man in my comfy chair and took a hard plastic one for myself. He just laid there watching me and eventually even feel asleep.

Once we got home I opened up my trusty What to Expect the Toddler Years to find out all about fevers. The verdict was that 102 wasn't really hot enough to start totally freaking out just yet. I put him in more breathable clothes, got him to drink a whole bunch of water, and used a Thomas the Train video to "trick" CJ into a morning couch nap. He was super lethargic the rest of the day, as to be expected, and when I took his temp before his bath it had risen to a level that  made me prepare my mind for a doctor visit the next day.

Wednesday morning was a repeat of Tuesday including the lower temp. I decided maybe the doctor wasn't needed after all when I once again went with a morning couch nap for the two of us. The difference was when he woke at 11 he was ON FIRE! I really didn't need to take his temp to know something was wrong it was more like I needed to know how wrong it was. I immediately called the doctor I had picked to be his pediatrician. To my HORROR I found out I needed to have taken steps to make him a patient prior to the first visit. The lady on the other end of the phone told me my options and they sounded bleak: previous pediatrician (lady with horrible bedside manner I swore I would never have to deal with again all the way on the 11th floor of the big hospital), ER (huge fine from insurance if not admitted), or urgent care clinic (where do I find one of those).

I got online to use the doc find and discovered all urgent care facilities covered by my insurance are FAR from where I live. Then I saw the option of "walk-in clinic". There was one close by but they are manned by nurse practitioners and I wasn't sure if that would cut it. I used the nurse line to get some advice, and after a sometimes tear filled conversation, I loaded myself and CJ into the car.

We got super lucky that there was no line when we got to the clinic. The nurse looked at his throat and immediately declared the flu. She told my "little pumpkin" that he really knows how to run a high fever and scare his mommy. I bet she could see the fright on my face. Well CJ got hooked up with the super flu prescription, meds for congestion, and suggested vitamins. The nurse even helped me find what we need on the shelf. It was a good experience, and I am sure it took a whole lot less time and money than a doctor would have.

CJ is now full into recovery. He had much of his energy back today, and yesterday he had started being a teaser again. Although I do have to say that it has been nice to do some deeper attaching while he has wanted to be babied these past few days and nights (except for the not sleeping at night part!). Next week I will take steps to get Christian set up to see the pediatrician the next time he gets sick or needs a regular check-up which ever comes first.