Sore Throat, Cough, Fever and an Ear Infection...

A week and a half ago, my son caught a bad cold. He had a recurring fever, sore throat and was coughing so bad he was gagging and throwing up. His cough was responding well to steam from the shower so he would sit in there with a stack of comic books. Last Sunday evening, he was coughing continuously. I phoned a health link number where a nurse is available for advice. Do I take him to the hospital emergency or what? The wait times are notoriously long, I have heard of waits up to 6 hours. She told me what to look for before taking him to the hospital. If he couldn't swallow his own saliva, if he couldn't get enough air (flailing of arms, blue lips or a change in his color) would be indications that he had to go to the emergency ward. Yes, that is what she said but still, talking to her gave me some reassurance that he would be okay for the night.


I had learned these accupressure points for coughing from a book put out by the Prevention magazine. It is called New Choices in Natural Healing. I use this technique for persistent cough but that evening nothing was helping. Later his cough finally calmed down.



My Son looked so peaceful as he lay in bed, his fingers learning to press on K27. I felt so relieved.
I took him to our family doctor the next day. He had this virus for exactly a week.

I knew it was only a matter of time until his primary care giver, me, got it as well.
Since last Monday, I have missed all regular work days and church services. I am feeling somewhat lonely but still it feels good to be taking the time to heal. I have been watching a lot more tv being out of commission, and I saw this commercial of a fellow with a cold who had to go to work, the world couldn't do without him for a few days. He takes this medicine and off he goes. Then he takes a night time version to sleep and then the day time one again to be able to go to work...STOP...

These viruses are getting worse. I also developed an ear infection as well. I woke up in the middle of the night with a bad earache, I took an acetominophen and fell back asleep. Then I woke up in the morning with a strange echo in my ear. My daughter was home and her words frightenly doubled in my ear. To keep calm, I carried along, putting up the Friendly Friday post until the time came when I could call the doctor, an hour later. I saw her and she said it was inflamed but not infected yet but to pay attention to it and if it got any worse to go to the walk in clinic on the weekend.

I can't help but feel I should've been given antibiotics right away. I didn't think that at the moment though. This doctor is replacing my regular doctor who is on maternity leave. Both of them are just out of med school, I think. I had a really good doctor for seventeen years then she had to go and retire. It is very difficult to find a family doctor here. I went to three doctors before I found one that I felt comfortable with and was close to where we live but this lack of experience concerns me.


Well, it got worse. Saturday, I woke with the same problem in the other ear. I was shaking uncontrollably and a fever developed. After taking another acetominophen, my fever dropped and my husband took me to the clinic. The wait times are long but it wasn't too bad for a Saturday morning. We waited for 1 1/2 hours while a little girl's high pitched greetings to everyone resonated in my ear.
The doctor seemed surprized at the infection, yes in both ears. I am on antibiotics. My right ear is really plugged at the moment, ringing and I hear my heart beating. I am trying to trust that I will be okay. I have an appointment with my regular doctor this afternoon.

I was to have gone to see a Beatles tribute group yesterday with my family. Obviously, I couldn't go.
They love the Beatles, inheriting it from their Father. I am really grateful that it is me who is sick and not them.