The Stay at Home Mother

This weekend, I had plans to throw a little "Super Bowl" party for my family. It really wasn't going to be a BIG party, but rather just making it fun for my children with snacks and watching a little of the game (my son is a big football fan).

However, this weekend, was not to be - as my son was stricken with a terrible flu, throwing up a whopping 37 times. Who knew that was even possible?.....

But at 4am on Saturday morning, it became clear very quickly how serious his illness was - he was up every 15 minutes. We kept him hydrated with pedialyte.

Pedialyte is an oral electrolyte solution that is designed to replace fluids and minerals that are lost when a child is sick. Pedialyte is very low in sugar compared to most sports drinks and is designed to promote quick fluid and electrolyte absorption while a child is sick.

By Sunday, after 31 hours and 37 episodes of sickness, we chose to take him to the BC Children's Hospital. Today was an especially busy day in the emergency room. There were dozens of children and parents waiting to be seen.

However, due to my son's condition, they expedited him and we were seen within an hour and a half (some parents had been there for 3 - 4 hours waiting to be seen by a doctor).

It would appear that despite my constant rehydration with the fluids, my son had become dehydrated. He was monitored for another hour and given some more fluids and sent home.

His little body is wiped from the weekend but he appears tonight to be on the mend.

There is nothing more devastating for a parent, then to feel powerless when your child is sick. I just wished I could take his sickness away and take it on myself.

Half of his classmates are home sick - as it is the season for this type of bug to make its way through the elementary schools.

So now we face the week ahead slightly optimistic that the worst is over for him - but with the knowledge that I have a three year old daughter too who may catch what he had.

Fortunately, Mr. Clean and Lysol are my two new best friends and may help minimize the spread of it through the household....I hope.