Little House of Horrors

Spring is supposed to be the season of rebirth and renewal, but this year, it has translated into a few plagues visiting our family.

First, Hannah has strep throat. The nurse says this is only the second time she's seen it come up positive that fast. Antibiotics for 10 days. While we're in the doctor's office, Charlotte breaks out in full-body hives. Benadryl for three days.

For the past several weeks, Charlotte has been unable to shake a cough, though the cold that brought it on has long since decamped. Off to the doctor, who thinks it's due to allergies. Claritin for 10 days.

Fast-forward 11 days, and we're back in the doctor's office for the same cough. Another 10 days of Claritin, plus Benadryl and an inhaler. (The inhaler does NOT go over well, to put it very mildly.)

That same day, Hannah breaks her arm. Thomas takes her to the doctor because I have a doctor's appointment for a cough, sore throat, fever and earache. My diagnosis: bronchitis (second time in less than six months) and a sinus infection. Antibiotics, an inhaler and lots of sleep. Hannah's diagnosis: Broken radius and cracked ulna. Cast for 4-6 weeks (neon pink) and Tylenol with codeine.

Fast-forward another week: I'm better. Charlotte's cough seems to be getting better though she still refuses to use the inhaler. Hannah has an appointment to get another x-ray of her arm and to choose a new cast color (acid green). The next day, the school calls to ask me to pick her up from school as she has a severe headache and a temperature of 102. A trip to Urgent Care and two chest x-rays. Diagnosis: Early stage pneumonia. Antibiotics, Tylenol and lots of sleep.

Sunday night, Hannah is bitten by something that leaves her with a rash and welts all the way around her torso. Topical antihistamine and Benadryl which we beg from the neighbor as we've used up the 20 gallons we bought earlier in the year.

And that brings us to today. Everyone is better. Charlotte is still coughing but nowhere near as much. Hannah is back to her old self. I actually get to write a blog post, though by no means as entertaining as I'd like it to be.

And while I can't blame it on the house, I decide that it is as good a time as any to do a little Spring cleaning. All the windows and doors are thrown open. The house is scoured from top to bottom. Dust bunnies are routed. Toothbrushes are tossed. Walls are wiped down and the playroom carpet taken out and beaten.

Hopefully that will be the end of this little run of illness, but we're keeping our eyes on Thomas: I'm not sure his running-induced blisters count as his share of this mess.