Suzette's Parenting and Breastfeeding Blog

Last Friday, we had dinner at in law’s house. As usual, after dinner, Ian searched around for snacks, and found this baby biscuit of SIL’s son (1+ yo). He took one and snacked on that (well, I allowed him to snack as long as he finishes his dinner).

The next moment, he came to me, with both hands holding something gluey, disgusting! It was that baby biscuit, wet and mushy!

I asked him to throw away and asked him what happened… His reply…

“I dropped it on the floor, so I washed it loh…”

Wahahahaha! He WASHED the baby biscuits! He sayang it, felt wasted if he were to throw away.

Usually I won’t allow a second piece, but had to give him – what a pity looking boy I had the other day! Oh, my sweet little boy, I love you!! And you are so funny!!

In the last 7 days, I have been so tired taking care of 2 sick children. It started with Ian first…

Wed night, Ian came back from school with mild fever. It didn’t go off until Friday, so I brought him to see doctor. At that point, the only issues he had were: sore throat, fever, and mild cough. The throat was slightly reddish, nothing else, no blisters or ulcers. So, I’ve taken it very lightly.

In the evening, Isabel came home with mild fever too. I just thought it was something like common flu (since we had our H1N1 flu jab already, one worry less).

Ian’s fever continued on. Sunday night, I took a look into Isabel’s throat, and was horrified to find out many ulcers on her tonsil pillars and the sides of her throat. I quickly checked her hands and foot, looking for signs of coxsackie (Hand-Foot-Mouth disease) – none appeared. But from past experience, I strongly suspected it was HFM anyway.

Monday morning, brought the 2 of them to see Dr Lee again. This time, he confirmed that they both had Herpangina, a type of blisters caused by coxsackie viruses. So, yes, they both had HFM disease! The clinic had to send a report to ministry, and I had informed the school too. Glad that no other cases were found in their school, or I will be really guilty for that.

I suspect it started with me. Although this is rare in adults, but it is not entirely impossible. I had very bad sore throat since Saturday week ago. No other symptoms, but the throat was so painful that it was unusual for me. Following that, Wed Ian was sick, then Friday Isabel. So I really thought it was me who passed on the virus. I don’t know where I got it thought, having been exposed to too many places. LOL!

There is no medication for this. Just paracetamol (Panadol) to ease the fever, and plenty of fluid to keep them hydrated. That’s it! They can’t eat/swallow, so gave them cold yoghurt and ice-creams. Fruit juice also not favored, due to the acidity. Poor children.

But today Ian is back to school. Isabel will go back tomorrow. Whew!

Ian loves spinach, but not Isabel. I found it very difficult to make Isabel eat more vegetables. She only take that little bit. So, I have been trying to camouflage veggies into other dishes that she likes.

For example, I would grate carrots (what Isabel hates most) and put into fish paste and make into her favorite fish balls. When cooking porridge for her, I would also add the same. It is so easy to do this with carrots, but not so successfully with greens.

I then remembered kids love anything that they can dip. So, I tried this. I bought some tortilla chips (healthier version would be using carrot or cucumber sticks), and made some spinach dips…

They fought for it, until the last drop!!! Of course, I also suspect that they love the tortilla chips instead of the dip. I told them the chips cannot be eaten on its own, must eat with the dip. LOL! Well, this is actually the first time I let them eat chips, so they must find it very interesting!

Last Sunday, a fellow church-mate, also father of Ian’s schoolmate told us that the school has a confirmed H1N1 case. I inquired the principal this morning, and this is what I found out…

Yes, it was confirmed true, not rumor (like my mom always have heard). This girl is next class of Ian’s. She has 3 siblings, 3 years old, 4 years old, and 5 years old (she is 6 yo).

She was admitted to hospital Friday 6 Aug with confirmed case. The irresponsible mother still sent the 3 siblings to the school. The 4 year-old girl is in the same class with Isabel. Last Monday (9 Aug) she still sent, and on Tuesday, it was confirmed that girl also contracted the disease. H1N1 virus starts contaminating, at least 1 day BEFORE symptom shows. So, meaning, on Monday itself she could have spread virus around, thanks to her parents!

Then, Isabel was having many other symptoms, though minor: diarrhea, sore throat, cough. Only then she doesn’t have fever. If you were me, would you be scared about it?

I brought her to see our family doctor, and since it has been 7 days (incubation period is 1-7 days), the most crucial symptom (fever) has not shown, we can be relieved.

Anyway, was advised to have the vaccination for my kids, so I did it on the spot. (Gosh, didn’t have enough cash, got to hutang first!)

Isabel was so brave. She didn’t flinch at all. She offered to take it first whilst Ian cried and hid behind me! She took it bravely, without moving any muscles, resulting a perfect jab –> we couldn’t even find the hole, right after the needle was removed, didn’t know where to put the plaster!

Then, Ian’s turn –> wah, like 杀猪 (kill pig), he held me tightly, wriggled too much, resulting more pain and blood. LOL! After that, he was limping all the way, unlike Isabel, so steady and cool. Hahahaha!

Well, I do agree with the doctor, after the jab, I have more peace of mind, although it will only take effect 2 weeks after.

We have been anxiously waiting for the notification letter. In March, my dad gave false alarm. Then DH read something which is not relevant to us, but thought it was for us. Made us worried for a while, thinking that we lost our letters…

Went to check with a few people who also tried to register for the same school. Then felt some relieves, because they all haven’t received anything yet.

Then last Wed DH asked me again about this in the morning. In the afternoon I got the letter! Yay, Ian has been accepted into our choice of school.

Immediately I went to the school to settle and complete the registration process. What a relief.

Next would be Isabel’s turn. Gosh, this kind of thing is so stressful ler. I can’t imagine later, have to worry about secondary school, tertiary education, etc. Endless worries. Sigh!