As a parent, I always strive to create wonderful holiday memories for my children. However, my attempts for a cheerful Christmas took an unexpected turn. Here’s the sequence of events that led to a rather tumultuous holiday season.
- Anticipation was high as my son, my husband, my baby daughter, and I flew from snowy Colorado to sunny California on Christmas Eve to visit family. My son was thrilled about the trip, and I was hopeful for a joyful holiday.
- During the flight, I noticed my son appeared a bit under the weather. I recalled having rescheduled his flu shot appointment a couple of weeks prior, but I brushed it off, thinking he would be fine.
- Upon our arrival, the excitement continued. The children played on the beach, made Christmas cookies with their Nana, and opened presents. I enjoyed some eggnog as the kids went to bed. Little did I know, this would be the calm before the storm.
- That night, however, I was abruptly awakened by the sounds of vomiting. My son and husband both had high fevers. They were thoroughly miserable. I spent the night tending to them, changing sheets, and giving doses of ibuprofen. Thankfully, my baby and I had received our flu shots.
- On Christmas Day, the festive spirit quickly waned. My son, who should have been the most excited about Santa, was too sick to care. My parents’ spirits also dampened as they succumbed to illness. Soon, I learned that my aunt and uncle were feeling unwell too. My son had inadvertently spread his bug to at least five family members, while I began to worry that the flu outbreak could be traced back to our flight from Colorado.
- As the only healthy ones left, my baby and I found ourselves in a germ-filled environment. My instinct kicked in, and I started cleaning every surface obsessively with bleach and soap, desperate to banish any lingering germs. I also prepared chicken soup, trying to nourish my little one, even as we felt trapped in this petri dish of illness.
- On the third day, my sister called from Minnesota, cheerfully stating how sorry she was for not making it this year. I imagined her hanging up quickly to avoid catching any flu germs through the phone.
- Days passed in a blur of sickness and care. Soup, crackers, forehead checks, and laundry became my entire routine. It was an exhausting situation, and I felt overwhelmed by the burden of responsibility.
- Gradually, my family began to recover. My son, still suffering from fevers, required a visit to urgent care, where it was revealed he had a ruptured eardrum and was prescribed antibiotics.
- Unfortunately, my mother also developed a bad cough, prompting another urgent care visit. She was diagnosed with bronchitis and given antibiotics as well.
- My son had a negative reaction to the antibiotics, which intensified his discomfort. I rushed him back to urgent care, where a nurse informed me that we would need to hold him down for a painful antibiotic injection. It was heartbreaking to see him in such distress, and in that moment, I might have promised him a pony.
- Finally, after what felt like an eternity, everyone began to heal. Just three days before our vacation ended, my son was well enough to eat and go outside. We took him to the zoo, and he finally got to see some palm trees.
- Upon returning to kindergarten, my son was tasked with writing about his Christmas vacation. His summary was both heartbreaking and humorous: “This Christmas, I got sick and had to get a needle in my butt. It was this big————–. And I had a lady lay on me.”
In conclusion, what began as a joyous holiday trip turned into a whirlwind of illness and caregiving. Despite the challenges, these moments, though difficult, will forever be etched in our memories.
For additional insights on parenting and home insemination, you can check out our other blog post at this link. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination kits, visit Make a Mom, which is an authority on the subject. You can also explore CDC for excellent resources regarding pregnancy and fertility.
SEO Metadata: