As I was reminded yesterday Cindy, this is where you come to ask for help in shouldering whatever you're carrying. I'm so very sorry for both Ben and you, and the rest of your family, because illness taxes everyone. I'm sending him the very best thoughts for quick recovery, and you too. I hope the doctor is able to help him quickly, that the visit is entirely worthwhile.

---

My prayers and healing thoughts are headed your way Cindy.

---

{{{Cindy}}} I want this over for all of you--poor Ben and you.

---

Oh, Cindy! I'm so sorry. I hope Ben starts feeling better soon. Poor guy!

---

{{{{{Cindy and Ben}}}}}

Can I request some ~ma for a friend? She had a double masectomy a while back, and I just found out that she had to have a spot on her liver removed a couple of days ago. I am very worried about her. She is one of my travel buddies from when I went to England, so she lives in CA, and I feel so helpless all the way over here.

---

~ma for your friend, sj.

Cindy, more health~ma to Ben and sanity~ma to you. If I had a kid who was that ill I would probably dose him with Olive Leaf Extract (1-2 caps 3 or 4 times a day). It has antiviral properties, and is generally safe. Would likely check with the doctor or pharmacist about it first in case of possible interactions with meds.

P-C, I hate that you are so unhappy. I got nothing helpful other than an offer to adopt you into my crazy family. But hey, at least it's a different kind of crazy.

---

Aw Cindy. Aw, Ben. Poor both of yous. I'm so sorry. It's just all too much. You have my thoughts and prayers too, if that helps at all.l

PC- perhaps it was a compromise. You can hold her to her words later, and be more yourself once the process gets going. I'm sorry that you feel so defeated, though. It's hard to see the positive when it's the same old shit over and over again.

---

{{{Cindy & Ben}}}}

{{{sj's friend}}}

p-c - if only the bad behavior of your cousin would make your mother look on your own behavior with relief.

---

{{{Cindy and Ben}}} Honey, I'm so sorry. I wish I could be there to help out and make tea and cake, and generally give you a little break. Poor Ben. Beng feverish for that long really wipes you out, too.

Much health~ma to sj's friend.

{{{P-C}}} I wish there was something I could say to magically resolve this for you. I know how hard you're trying, and I get how very difficult it is to try and please your family and yourself at the same time. The arguing is exhausting, too, I know. Deep breaths, babe.

I've got nothing else except another possible foot of snow here. The kids haven't had school all week.

---

Oh, sj, I'm so sorry. Much health and strength to your friend. Do you know if she's gotten any biopsy results on the spot?

{{{P-C}}} I wish there was something I could say to magically resolve this for you. I know how hard you're trying, and I get how very difficult it is to try and please your family and yourself at the same time. The arguing is exhausting, too, I know. Deep breaths, babe.

Yes, this. I'm really impressed with you for being able to bring it up with her though, P-C. There was a time when you wouldn't have. Each time you manage to bear down and express yourself to your parents, it's going to get a tiny bit easier, and they're going to get more used to it, too.

...

Thanks, everyone for the love and thoughts and prayers. I started talking to my mom on the phone, but I was hyperventilating and she's got enough going on without worrying about me and Ben, right now. How come it's always worse when you're talking to people who love you?

So, his fever went up to 103.6. I gave him 3 tsp of Motrin around 8:00am.

At 8:45am, his fever was up to 103.9.

I gave him a fourth teaspoon, which is the equivalent of the adult dosage (i.e the same amount of ibuprofen as is in 2 adult strength Advil or Motrin). He's about 5'2" and 110lbs.

Before and in between, I was wiping his face with a cold cloth and getting him to drink whatever he could.

At 9:15, it had come down to 103.3. I gave him 4 chewable Tylenols (which is less than the adult dosage, but Tylenol makes me skittish). By 9:30, the fever was down to 102.6. I took it again about a half hour ago, and it was down to 101.2, thankfully.

I'm still waiting for the doctor to return my call.

If I had a kid who was that ill I would probably dose him with Olive Leaf Extract (1-2 caps 3 or 4 times a day). It has antiviral properties, and is generally safe. Would likely check with the doctor or pharmacist about it first in case of possible interactions with meds.

Thanks for the tip, Andi. He's been through so much, and has already had some hives and stuff too, so I'm not up for trying anything new. If this is a virus (and the one Chris had) I think we'll let nature take its course, this time, but I appreciate the information.

I've got nothing else except another possible foot of snow here. The kids haven't had school all week.

At this point, I know I won't send Ben back to school, this week. If you would, could you send it to us, like say...Sunday night, so we get a few snow days. I swear that helps stop all the viruses going around. The air gets clean, and people stay home and stop passing everything around. And then my boy can have some more days at home, without being absent.

---