Wednesday, November 19, 2008

What Do You Do?

This piece recently ran on momlogic.com.

I was in the midst of nursing two kids with a nasty stomach bug when BAM! I got it. Now what was I going to do?

This wasn't a "oh I don't feel so good sick." This was a running into the bathroom every 20 minutes for seven hours straight sick. But the kids still needed me. My family is 3,000 miles away and my husband had a deadline at work -- a job he's only had a few weeks.

But it wasn't just the constant heaving that left me with the inability to care for my brood of three (four and under). The 24 hours after was filled with a throbbing head, an aching back -- reminiscent of the pain I had while laid up with a compression fracture and a cracked pelvis -- and an overall lack of energy that paralyzed me, allowing me only to lift my head off the pillow to get an ice cube sitting in a bowl on the nightstand.

I'm lucky. My husband made a few calls and a friend -- who deserves more than you can imagine -- came over and watched my kids that first day and continued to offer help throughout the week. But she just happened to have the day free -- it was Veterans Day. What would I have done if I had to watch them all myself? Am I the only mom without a solid back up plan?

What do you do when you're really sick?

5 comments:

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

Good question. Mom's aren't allowed to get sick. least not in my house :( it is so hard. I feel bad for you. I was there recently myself and am still feelin under the weather.

hugs
Tami
Noah's mama
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Umm, keep going. I don't have a back-up plan.

William's Family said...

I lay in a ball on the sofa and mumble unintelligble commands to my kids to go play while Mommy is sick, all the while praying that my husband will come home soon. We're in the same boat - any family that can help out is far out of reach. Thankfully, I've never had to nurse sick kids while being knocked out myself - yet. That being said, the winter has yet to begin and I am quaking in my boots.

Jeri said...

PANIC! Call my hubby and cry. And then lay on the couch daring any of them to act up. Actually last Christmas, while we had 2 exchange students, the 4 of us got sick...me, dh, and 2 kids. It was so pathetic that in a semi moment of being able to sit up we opened presents on Dec 23. It was just that bad.
I feel for you. We're pondering a move to the east coast and after getting sick while in VA a couple of weeks ago, it left me in complete panic wondering what people do when they don't really know anyone around them. That's scary.
I hope you and everyone else feels better soon!

momwithfaithandhope said...

I'm fortunate to have my Dad living with us, a husband with a fairly flexible schedule, a daycare kid's mom who can always take Peyton for me, and in-laws 15 minutes away. . .If need be, I also have tons of aunts, sister-in-laws, and church family to lean on. I feel for you Jackie!!! I don't know what I'd do. I think I'd have to suggest popping in a video, leaving snacks out all day, sippy cups with water so the milk doesn't spoil, and then bribe the oldest of the brood with cupcakes to watch the little ones!