Down the Hatch!

I opened the bathroom door, turned off the light and jumped back.

Two half opened bloodshot eyes looked at me over two very red cheeks.  Blond hair sat in some new “bird’s nest” style atop Catelyn’s head.

“Mom, stop,” Catelyn ordered.

“Stop what?” I asked, but as soon as I asked the question, I realized it was my face.  In order to put on my “question” face, I had to first take off my “Ew!” face which arrived when I first saw Catelyn.

Catelyn thrust the thermometer to my chest. 

“Please take my temperature,” she said, “I think I am doing it wrong.  When I took it downstairs it said 104.”

My “Ew!” face came back on.

“Alright,” I said and placed the thermometer on Catelyn’s forehead, and waited for the beep.

“103.5,” I said, “Go back to bed.  We’ll go to the doctor once Declan is off to school.”

I trailed behind her as she slogged back to her room and opened the door to Bobby’s room.  As he slept, I leaned over and placed the thermometer on his head.  The beep sounded and I read.  101.

“TWO sick kids,” I whispered as I slunk out the door. 

Once at the doctor, Catelyn’s diagnosis was confirmed.  Turns out Bobby graciously shared with his sister, this time his flu.

While Catelyn sat on the exam table, looking like a drunken sailor with her red eyes and slight sway, the Dr. knelt next to me and began to talk about how to prevent the rest of us from getting sick.

“You’ve got take Vitamin D.  It is the most effective way to avoid this illness.  I have never had a flu shot, nor had the flu in my life.  Take the Vitamin D.”

And I nodded, listening to the dosing instructions for Bob, Declan and myself.

Back in the waiting room, I took my coat off and wrapped it around Catelyn as the drunken sailor had turned into a shivering 80-pound ball folded around itself.

As we waited for a prescription and a doctor’s note to excuse her impending days absences, I reviewed the material the doctor had given me.  Seeing fine print at the bottom of the Vitamin D paperwork, I slid my glasses on and leaned in.

“This immune enhancing advice is per my own years of holistic medicine experience – most physicians are NOT aware of the use of nutrition to enhance normal bodily functions and will criticize this advice without adequate reading of the copious science which exists and attest to both the safety and efficacy of limited use of “nutraceuticals” as advised here.  This is personal advice to you only.” 

My “Ew!” face came back on.

“That’s not reassuring,” I thought.

I looked over at the ball as it spasmed.  I certainly didn’t want to get sick.  Nor did I want to have three sick kids, and if Bob got sick, 4 sick kids.

After a trip to the pharmacy to get the medicine, ginger ale, ice cream and Dorito’s (the latter three items Catelyn deemed as medically necessary) I returned home and looked at my bottle of Vitamin D.

“Alright!”  I said as I read the bottle.  Since I have a dairy allergy, I take Calcium and Vitamin D3 as a part of my daily routine.  Turns out I have been taking an adequate, “No flu for me” dose too.

I popped the bottle open and looked at the pills and frowned.  I might convince Bob to take some, but how was I supposed to get Declan to take these?

I sat at my computer and typed.

How to get your child to take a pill.

When the search results came up, I realized I had not asked the right question.  Tons of “helpful hints” to get a child to take a pill were on my screen.

What I really needed to know, was how to hide this pill so my child did not know his food or beverage was altered in any way?  Would this pill dissolve?  Could I cut it open?  Any other sneaky ides?

After much cutting, smashing – practicing really – of different methods to hide this pill I decided to cut it open in a glass of water that I would serve Declan at dinner.  Seeing the oil rise to the surface, I added a couple of ice cubes and stirred. 

After Declan arrived home and left his trail of bags, shoes, coat in the hallway I put his dinner on the table.  But before I placed my carefully oiled glass on the table, I asked.

“Hey Declan – can you do me a favor?  Bobby and Catelyn are both upstairs, sick in their beds.  The doctor said if you and I take this pill then we won’t get sick like they are.”

Declan put his “Ew!” face on.

I showed him the pill and put one in my mouth. 

“Doesn’t taste like anything.  I promise.”

With much hesitation Declan raised his hand and took the pill.  I grabbed a fresh cup of water and handed it to him.

There was eye watering, gagging and eventually a cough – but Declan got his first pill down the hatch!

And all I had to do was ask 😊

I don’t know if Vitamin D will actually keep us from getting the flu, but hey, it’s worth a try.  And thankfully, we’re all trying!