Back in the bubble

Where to begin. I know times could be worse, but right now it just seems so bad. I’m (and probably everyone else) looking for a light of the end tunnel.

We are good. We are healthy. For that I am thankful. Since the end of February, Bennett has been in his “bubble” (our house, his dads house and my parents). Ben could really care less about not going to the unnecessary Target trips or grocery stores. We have done this to prevent him getting coronavirus and I’d say we’ve done a pretty good job. A few weeks ago (before the huge spike in cases) I finally took him to get his haircut (tie dye shirt picture below). He also came with us a few times to play softball, but those outings were short lived. We quickly decided last week that we were going back into our “bubble” to keep him safe. I say “him” because I know what this virus could do to his body.

I took Brenna to her 6 month check up this past Friday, I had the chance to ask her pediatrician (also Bennett’s) some questions. She told me they’ve had a few infants in their practice with coronavirus, and they’ve done well but she did tell me I needed to “to worry about Ben”. If a doctor tells me to worry then you can bet your butt I’m keeping my kid safe.

If you don’t know this, I’m a paramedic. I was BLESSED to have the opportunity to work in the office as of January last year. I am lucky that I no longer work 48 hour shifts and I get to see my kids every night. **Shout out to my friends and coworkers that are working during this time. I appreciate you.**

That being said, I work Monday thru Friday and still respond to calls as needed. (I get bored sometimes, but right now there’s a HUGE influx of calls so it is necessary). My husband is a firefighter, so between the two of us we have our fair share of potential exposure.

After talking with Ben’s pediatrician, I knew what I needed to do. I called my mom and she already knew what I was going to ask, and she said “yes” before I even had to. Ben is temporarily “spending the night” with my parents. It may be a week.. it may be longer, I don’t know. It is painful to be away from him, but I know it would be more painful for him to get this illness. I thought Ben may be sad to be away from home, boy was I wrong. We didn’t tell him the truth, because we don’t want him to worry. We’ve learned in the last few months that he has some anxiety just due to his disease, recent illnesses and what’s going on in the world. Which I’m sure is the case for A LOT of us 🙋🏻‍♀️. I told him his Grammy is lonely and bored and he was SO excited when I asked him if he wanted to stay there for a few days. He made a list of all the things he wanted to do. Fishing, night fishing, berry picking, chess, camping and mudding. As much as he loves his Grammy, he swears that “Pa knows” him best. He will have so much fun and I know my parents will take good care of him. There’s no amount of money or gifts that could thank my parents for everything they have done and continue to do for me.

As I’ve said before, “we make plans and God laughs”… the plan was to take Ben out to my parents this afternoon. Ben woke me up at precisely 6:14 this morning complaining that his finger hurt. I’m half asleep saying “ok, go back to bed. You’re fine”. A few minutes later I came out to the living room to see it in real life.

Rewind a bit, the past few months Bennett has dug deeper into his love for fishing. Figuratively and literally, this boy will fish for HOURS a day. His knowledge of fish, bait, weather, fishing lines, casting nets you name it, is absolutely crazy.

Yesterday he spent some time in the afternoon and then again in the evening fishing. At some point, he caught a “feisty perch” that was flailing around, making it hard for Ben to unhook him. Ben said the hook got stuck in his finger a few times but it was just little pokes. He also had a bucket of water he was using to “wash his hands” after using his bait (worms and other tiny fish he says?).

Ben told me “MOM. I think my grown up fingers are coming in!!!” His middle finger looked like it was going to burst.

He has a severe infection from most likely the lake water. Whether it got in from the hook puncture or a mosquito bite it’s hard to tell. I called around to urgent cares to see who was “less busy”, I’ll be damned if I expose him to anything. Once we saw the doctor, it was determined that he has cellulitis, secondary to the infection. The swelling goes down his hand and around his whole middle finger. I knew it needed treatment but apparently it needs more than oral antibiotics. Ben got a HUGE shot of antibiotics in his “bum bum” … not sure where he got that from and has been referred to see a hand surgeon on Monday. Apparently this is because it’s circumferential and already affecting the tendons in his finger. Fingers crossed (punny) that it’ll just be a quick visit to confirm that his hand is healing. Once again my mom is saving the day, she will bring him to that appointment if the doctor thinks it’s necessary to see him in person.

For now, he’s on strong antibiotics and ibuprofen. He’s suppose to keep his hand elevated and “rest”. LOL.

The doctor even wrote “No fishing for 1 week” on his discharge paper.

When I left him at my parents tonight (😞) it was looking a bit better. This kid, always keeping me worrying. Thanks for reading this update on my sweet boy.

Prayers and positive thoughts for all.