I probably should have made a promise to myself to not make mountains out of molehills. But I’m a mom, worrying is part of the job description, right?
Tonight at bedtime, Peanut complained that her ear hurts. She was pulling at it, trying to stick her fingers in it and rubbing it with her blankie. So not fun. I gave her some Advil to help with the inflammation and pain.
After stories, I cuddled with her and rubbed her back to try to get her to relax. It didn’t take her long to fall asleep. She began to dream; I began to worry.
Yes, it is only the first ear ache and it might not be infected. But my mind has already raced to the 4th or 5th infection and she’s getting tubes. Completely irrational, I know.
Trying to distract myself, I managed to fold 3 loads of laundry, including folding socks. As you get to know me you’ll know how much I hate folding socks. I got all the clothes put away too.
While in Peanut’s room, I checked to make sure was still tucked in. And since ear infections are usually accompanied with fever, I felt her head. She was warm and sweaty. My heart sank. Mind racing to the tubes again.
And so I blog. Trying to track her symptoms. I can’t miss anything. Try to think back to any other symptoms I may have missed. She has had a runny nose for a few days now but it wasn’t really bugging her. It’s definitely bugging her now.
A few weekends ago, we consulted a friend, @kcbateman, who is a homeopathic doctor. He recommended probiotics, Omega-3s and vitmin D drops to try to help boost her immune system. After the different antibotics she was on last winter, her system needs to be straightened out and strengthened to fight what lies ahead for this season.
We have started this season. So now what.
I don’t want to have her take antibiotics unless we absolutely have to. Tomorrow, if her ear is still sore, we will go to the doctor. There have to be other options, alternatives to antibiotics. But I want her healthy. I don’t want to damage her ears. I want her healthy.
Watching your baby in pain has to be the hardest thing ever. I know in the grand scheme of things we are very lucky when it comes to the health of our children. Never will I take that for granted. But my heartache is mine and in my world, her pain is everything right now. It’s consuming me.
Tomorrow is a new day and I will hope for better things. I will hope for molehills.
