Well this Thanksgiving did NOT turn out like our "usual" Thanksgiving. Every year we would travel to visit my husband's family and spend Thanksgiving there. It became a tradition that we have the turkey dinner and all on Thanksgiving, then the women get together with all the "flyers" and talk about the "route" we would take for Black Friday shopping. After that we would play games and talk and finally go home to get little sleep and wake up early to fight the crowd for the glorious sales. When we finished our shopping (or ran out of money which usually came first) we would go out to lunch and finally rest our weary bodies. On Saturday we would have our "family Christmas" so we don't have to spend money shipping gifts and also to enjoy some of the Christmas time with them. My sister-in-law would have her tree and decorations up and everything looks so festive. It really puts us in the holiday spirit mood! Sundays were spent saying our good-byes and gathering things up for the long trip home. Tears are always shed and sadness fills our hearts even though we know we will be back by easter to visit once again.
This year was a little different. We were on a minute by minute basis on whether or not we were going which made it hard on those waiting for us and the amount of food to prepare (which is always excellent and creative!). My girls were crying each day begging to go. What was the problem? Well, our whole family had the flu for quite a while and kept passing it back and forth. Most of us were finally feeling better but Cassie seemed to have gotten worse. On Wednesday, the day we were supposed to leave for our trip, Cassie began running a high temperature, which got me nervous and so I took her to the doctor. She had been on medicine for a while and was running a fever for a few days already which should not have been happening. Our doctor said to give her 24 hours and by then we would know if it would get worse or better. This meant we would have to delay leaving and no turkey dinner at his Aunt's house. Everyone was upset, but doctor's orders were doctor's orders. We waited out the time and because of the lateness we decided to leave on Friday morning. We ran out and bought a turkey and all, but it just didn't seem the same. Cassie seemed to be doing a little better so Steve said we were going. Well, Friday we left and arrived at his brothers house and that night seemed ok. We learned a new card game called "hand and foot". My sister-in-law seems to always know new and creative games that I love learning and then quickly get addicted to and have to show people the game where I live so I can keep playing it. *L*
Saturday came and we had our "Christmas party" to where we exchanged gifts with the family and had a wonderful time. It was then that Cassie started getting sick again, but this time worse. Steve's sister took her temperature and it read 106.3! She then borrowed a neighbor's thermometer to double check it. Cassie was breathing hard and burning up!
Steve's sister and mother are both nurses and his brother is an EMT, so luckily we were in good hands. His sister took care of her by giving her a sponge bath and then putting ice packs under her arm and next to her groin (something I just learned). She started giving her motrin and an hour later gave her tylenol. She is such a dedicated nurse and aunt that she slept downstairs with Cassie and myself with her alarm set to keep waking up and giving her the medicine! Cassie seemed a little better the next day, but then her fever spiked again to 105.7! I was hating it! Again, his sister did all she could and finally the fever broke. Steve wanted to get her home and near our hospital and doctor so we began our trip home with me checking on her all the time and giving her the medications. What a fun trip. I kept getting nervous about her spiking another fever during the long ride!
The next day I took her back to the doctor and he changed medicines and didn't know what else to do. I prayed. She seemed ok and I sent her off to school because she had missed so much from the "flu" and wanted to go. That night she spiked yet another fever which got me to take her to the ER. They did tests and gave her IV's which she didn't like but was a big girl about it. I was very proud of her. The doctor was going to admit her he said but the pediatrician said it would be easier at that point for him to see her the next morning...it was already 5:30am. We went to the doctor as instructed where Cassie was diagnosed with influenza. For memory sake, this year is supposed to be the worst year ever with the flu. I am not looking forward to this season if this is true.
All in all, this holiday we not only were thankful for what we do have, but also for the good Lord to keep Cassie under His care and guided her back to good health!
