Thursday, February 28, 2008

He's Sick Again

Riley's teacher called at lunch on Tuesday to say that Riley had a headache and he didn't eat all of his lunch. She was concerned because Riley always eats everything on his plate. Also, his sugar (which had been near perfect for about 2 days) was 256.

My mom went to school to pick get him. His temp was 99.8. He didn't really feel all that bad. I decided to wait and see.

He did OK. His temp got up to 100.1 at bedtime on Tuesday night. I gave him some Motrin. But, at 1:15 AM his temp was up to 102.2 and his sugar was 349.

I felt sick in my stomach. One of my greatest fears since Riley was diagnosed is that he would get the flu. I had heard horror stories of how diabetes and the flu don't mix.

I took him to the doctor first thing yesterday morning. His temp had come down but I couldn't get it below 100.o even though I was alternating giving him Tylenol and Motrin about every two hours.

Before we went to the doctor I sat down and talked to him. I told him that sometimes when people with diabetes gets sick they can get something in their bodies that can make them sicker. I explained ketones and told him how important it was that he drink plenty of fluids even if he didn't feel like it.

He did wonderful with that. During the day he would often ask for something to drink and say, "Because I don't want to get ketones in my body."

When we got to the doctor's office he examined him and couldn't find anything obviously wrong with him. He decided to test him for the flu.

Riley was not happy. He remembered what it was like the last time they tested him. As soon as the doctor said he was testing for the flu Riley started to cry.

He had stopped by the time the nurse had come in. She explained what she was going to do and that it would "tickle" a little bit. I was looking at her and thinking "liar". But, she didn't cram the swab way up his nose like the last nurse did. She swabbed just inside his nose. After she walked out Riley turned to me and said, "She was very gentle."

10 minutes later the doctor walked in and said, "He has the flu."

My heart dropped and tears started forming in my eyes. I blinked them back. I didn't want to scare Riley.

He gave me the whole spiel about ketones and sugars. He started Riley on Tamiflu to help control his symptoms. He also gave me a prescription for Holden to hopefully keep him from getting it too.

I also called my doctor and got Tamiflu for me and Michael and my mom and my dad are on it too. Hopefully none of us will get it.

As scared as I was it hasn't been that bad. Riley's had a couple of sugars in the 200s, but for the most part his sugars have been fine. He had trace ketones last night. But none before or since then. He hasn't run any temperature since late yesterday afternoon.

My mom looked at me yesterday and said "You'd never know he has the flu. He's running around like he's fine. I thought he would be worse than most because of his diabetes."

I just gave her the only explanation I could. Prayer. Plain and simple. God is looking out for my little man.

If his temp stays down he'll be able to go back to school tomorrow.

I feel so blessed that he is OK and that the worst (which wasn't all that bad) seems to be behind us.

Now if I could get him to take his Tamiflu without coughing and gagging we'd be OK.

17 comments:

Shannon said...

Ah so he got hit with the flu! I'm glad to see it isn't as bad as you thought. Good for future reference in case Brendon ever gets it.

Anonymous said...

My daughter is only 2 and very unfortunatley has had throwing-up bouts several times now. It's very scary (and I think you did a wonderful job getting him right to his doctor and getting him on theraflu) but we've gotten over the panic. We push fluids, frozen fruit popsicles are a wonder, and check ketones in her urine every chance we get. We've often seen ketones, but with more and more fluids and insulin they have always disappeared by the end of the day. I do call the doctor througout the day and am prepared to run to the ER for an IV...but so far we've managed well on our own at home. And I bet you will too. Now that you've had one, it won't be so scary the next time -- especially since you did so well. -- stellasmom

Araby62 (a.k.a. Kathy) said...

Poor Riley, hope he's better soon. When will spring come and chase away all these bugs?!

Hang in there :)

Vivian said...

Penny, I am so glad Riley is doing well. God is good!

Jillian said...

I'm glad it's been so mild for him and for you. Hopefully if he ever has the flu again, this experience will give you a little piece of mind. Hope he's back at 100% soon, and no one else catches it!

Lynnea said...

Penny,
I'm so glad it wasn't as bad as you imagined!! We are still waiting for our first illness over here!! I'm praying now it will be as "easy" as your experience. God IS good!!

Anonymous said...

Poor little guy ... hope it's over with quickly. When I'm sick I do the same as mentioned in the other posts ... lots of fluids, lots of BS checks and constant vigilance. I'm sure the great mom he has helps him out more then anything!

Randee

Jen said...

Sounds like you are managing it really well!
For me, it's starvation ketones from lack of appetite and dehydration that get me. That being said- I've only been to the ER once (in 17 years) for an illness that I couldn't handle at home.

bingsy said...

They didn't do a very good job with the flu vaccine this year. It was only 40% effective. For me it meant that despite shelling out $15 for a flu shot I still got at least one flu, possibly two, and lost a lot of sick days. For Randy and Riley the vaccine's lowered effectiveness is a lot more worrisome. Oddly enough, Randy still seems to have a better immune system than me and never caught it from me.

There's a lot of flu going around right now, but I did read a headline that mentioned some changes to next year's vaccine. Hopefully that means that next year, Riley won't be as much at risk.

I do hope he feels better really soon, and I hope that perhaps both you and Riley feel a bit comforted at having braved through one of the worst case scenarios.

I appreciate the gentle nurses, too, as does Randy. I wish they all were.

Scott K. Johnson said...

Major suckage Penny. Poor little guy! The flu stinks. I hope he feels better soon!

Anonymous said...

My 4 year old got the flu too. Knock on wood for you, but it wasnt' that bad. Her numbers hoovered around 150-250 and as long as I kept her hydrated the ketones stayed low. We did run crazy fever for 5 days.
She has had ear infections and stomach bugs that were much harder to deal with. Good luck, I hope he recovers soon!
Bethy

Lisa said...

I'm so glad that he is doing well with it. Hope it leaves quickly.

Donna said...

Penny - I hope Riley gets over this quickly & everyone else stays healthy. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

k2 said...

Penny -

Sorry to hear that Riley has the flu- it sucks! BUT it sounds like u guys are handling and have gone through the worst part!

HANG IN THERE!
k2

Naomi said...

Poor little guy! I hope he's on the mend. I remember last year everyone was worried about the avian flu -- and no one I knew got sick. This year I haven't heard anything about bird flu but so many people got some kind of flu -- more than I've seen before.

Something nasty is definitely going around. Take care, wash hands, drink fluids, and REST!!

Chris said...

regarding your comment on my post...
Denise mentioned EXACTLY what you said just before i read your comment. Your awesome Penny a wonderful Mom and it never ceases to amaze me how close we are in our thinking.
Your the best!

Carey said...

Hi. I hope Riley is feeling better. Flu stinks.