Just over two years ago Cuyler came down with a virus. It was nasty.
He felt warm just before we went out trick or treating and was in full blown fever mode when we got home. It would be about 2 weeks before he was back to normal. Which in the grand scheme of things isn’t terribly long.
However in that 2 weeks our thermometer registered numbers I’d never seen before.
After several days of the fever, he woke one morning and fell out of bed. He couldn’t walk. He just kept telling us he was sick. but…he couldn’t walk. I was beside myself.
My kid could not walk. His communication deficit made trying to figure out what was wrong even more difficult. He didn’t seem in pain so we didn’t know if he was hurting. He couldn’t tell us where it hurt. What kind of hurt it was…we didn’t know why he couldn’t walk. I was terrified.
We took him to emerg. They did a series of neuro tests – as best they could, he wasn’t thrilled to be there and was less than cooperative.
It was determined that whatever virus he had, had made its way into his leg muscles. We were to keep pumping the Advil and he’d be fine in a few days. It was torture for all of us. Getting meds into him was no easy task. I had tried meltaways, chewables, and about 4 different flavoured liquids. None of which he took willingly.
It took almost 2 weeks before he was walking properly.
My kid could not walk. His communication deficit made trying to figure out what was wrong even more difficult. He didn’t seem in pain so we didn’t know if he was hurting. He couldn’t tell us where it hurt. What kind of hurt it was…we didn’t know why he couldn’t walk. I was terrified.
We took him to emerg. They did a series of neuro tests – as best they could, he wasn’t thrilled to be there and was less than cooperative.
It was determined that whatever virus he had, had made its way into his leg muscles. We were to keep pumping the Advil and he’d be fine in a few days. It was torture for all of us. Getting meds into him was no easy task. I had tried meltaways, chewables, and about 4 different flavoured liquids. None of which he took willingly.
It took almost 2 weeks before he was walking properly.
Last Thursday the school called. Cuyler was not feeling well. He told his EA that he had a headache and wanted to go home. We got home and within an hour his temp was 103. No biggie. He is prone to fevers. I don’t always medicate a fever but because he was still complaining of a headache I decided to give him something to help relieve that. He was lethargic and quiet and his temp would return before it was time to dose him up. So I started piggybacking the Advil and Tylenol. Saturday he slept most of the day. I might have been getting a little worried. Sunday the fever persisted.
Monday morning we woke up to his wimpering “Mom. Dad. Help me.”
Sean went to check him. He was on the toilet. He told Sean he couldn’t walk.
“How did you get to the bathroom?”
“I crawled”
Monday morning we woke up to his wimpering “Mom. Dad. Help me.”
Sean went to check him. He was on the toilet. He told Sean he couldn’t walk.
“How did you get to the bathroom?”
“I crawled”
…crap…
Monday he spent the day on the couch or in bed. We had to carry him to the toilet, to his bedroom. We weren’t too worried this time. We’d been through it before.
This time he told us “My calves are sore. I can’t walk because it hurts too much”
Monday he spent the day on the couch or in bed. We had to carry him to the toilet, to his bedroom. We weren’t too worried this time. We’d been through it before.
This time he told us “My calves are sore. I can’t walk because it hurts too much”
I wanted to err on the side of caution so we took him to emerg first thing yesterday.
It was a much different experience than the last time.
He had to put a mask on because of his cough. He let them put the bracelet on. He answered their questions. Told them he had a fever and that his calves were sore and he couldn’t walk.
Waited patiently after triage
Hopped up on the bed and waited to be seen.
When the dr came in (our family dr – thank god for a friendly, familiar face!) Cuyler cooperated, let him do the exam, answered questions. Asked a few of his own…
It was a much different experience than the last time.
He had to put a mask on because of his cough. He let them put the bracelet on. He answered their questions. Told them he had a fever and that his calves were sore and he couldn’t walk.
Waited patiently after triage
Hopped up on the bed and waited to be seen. 
When the dr came in (our family dr – thank god for a friendly, familiar face!) Cuyler cooperated, let him do the exam, answered questions. Asked a few of his own…We were reassured that he should be walking again by the end of the week. Just keep doing what we’re doing.
It was so apparent to me how far he has come in 2 years. In this area anyways.
So often with kids like Cuy who have communication issues we have to rely on our observations of them – and our instincts – to make sure everything is as it should be.
I remember back to 2 yrs ago when everything about his illness was difficult. From taking his temperature, to giving him meds, to trying to figure out how he was feeling.
So often with kids like Cuy who have communication issues we have to rely on our observations of them – and our instincts – to make sure everything is as it should be.
I remember back to 2 yrs ago when everything about his illness was difficult. From taking his temperature, to giving him meds, to trying to figure out how he was feeling.
This time? The meds went down easy. The thermometer was going in his ear on a regular basis. He was able to tell us “I’m ok. I’m just really tired”
I don’t take any of that for granted and am grateful he has gotten to this point.
Just another reason I am proud of him.
We don’t see progress every day. Or every week. Or every month.
But the big picture shows us that it’s there. It’s totally there.
We don’t see progress every day. Or every week. Or every month.
But the big picture shows us that it’s there. It’s totally there.
(Also? It makes having all three down with this virus so much easier)
how scary but how wonderful that you can see the progress! Go Cuy….and could your family stop getting sick!
What a worry, Chris! I had no idea that had happened. How’s the diet?
That is such an awesome silver lining. Hope you all feel better soon!
There’s almost always an upside somewhere… I’m glad you actually get see it! Fingers crossed for a quick recovery for everyone, lady. Poor you… xox
That is so great Christine! I feel for you – my 12 year old STILL has major issues taking any type of medicine – it was easier when he was young because there were liquids he could take. At his age and weight there are very few liquids and he will not swallow pills. Of course it is completely related to his aspergers and sensory issues so there isn’t much I can really do.
This must have been an amazing feeling! It pulls at our hearts when we are finally able to see progress!
Hope he is feeling better soon:)
that’s a scary number! what a difference the years make. i hope he’s (and all of you!) are getting well!
Amazing, Christine! And to have so an obvious comparison and tangible difference puts it right in front of you. What a great little guy.