I think most of you have heard that Jones has been super sick. He has been running a temp of between 102-104 for about 16 days now. (He has had many other things wrong too, but this is the most worrisome part). Good news...Yesterday and today his fever was on and off and I don't think it ever got over 103.5! I think we are on the other side of this illness. Finally. Thank you Jesus!
The interesting thing is that while they have not fully figured out what was completely wrong with him, they do know that he has Influenza (which I never really knew was worse than a flu bug) and pneumonia at the same time. I was telling someone that today and they asked me "well didn't he get vaccinated for that?" I told them no and they looked at me kind of irritated and said "oh well, that is too bad." I just smiled and said it is too bad when our children get sick.
The thing is, it is really hard being a parent and always having to make the decisions about your child's health. And while I know it is not true, I feel like it is even more hard when you are slightly educated and then have to make your own decisions not solely based on only one person's opinion (i.e. your doctor's) It is even harder when your decision is different than the cultural norm (Oh how I know that!). Sometimes it makes a girl want to just give up and take everything at face value and not search for real truth...right answers are sometimes hard to come by and usually even harder to follow through with.
I really believe that God made us with perfectly designed bodies. Ones that he created with a way of working and that way is so amazing that it blows my mind. I know that my children's immune systems are being formed right now for the rest of their lives and that from now until they are around 7 every illness is actually an odd sort of blessing. I know that fevers are meant to naturally destroy bad things like bacteria and I know that fighting off things on their own is only going to make them stronger. But it is still really hard to watch happen. Even though I know what fevers do I am still tempted to give them Tylenol to ease the discomfort. I know about children's bodies fighting things and how antibiotics usually are more harmful than helpful, but it sure does sound more appealing and like a much quicker and easier fix.
I have to make decisions based on what I know. Sometimes though it is hard when you are in the middle of something painful (watching your child be miserable) to hold out for the long term goal. When your child is sick for 15 days it is hard to look toward their adult life and says "wow you sure are going to thank me someday when you have an immune system of iron!" Tough. That's what being a parent is...wonderful and tough.
(By the way, I am not judging anyone. I have to do what I think is best for my family, just like you have to do what is best for yours. I may not vaccinate and try not to use many antibiotics, you may be ok with both. Whatever the case, can we agree not to judge?)
Oh and I didn't just let Jones lay there being sick. I did take him to the Doctor and chiropractor lots of times. I also treated him with lots of homeopathic things and gave him baths and smoothies and all that. I even tried an antibiotic ( I can only take so much peer pressure!), but said no to a second. I am not heartless!!
9 comments:
Jessica Woods... you point me to the person or persons who made you feel that you need to defend yourself and the decisions you make for you family! You show me to them immediately! I have something in my pocket for them (*hint: its my middle finger). And another thing in my purse. My giant purse (*hit: its a punch in the face*).
wv: Hyptor. I'm pretty sure that a dinosaur with hypnotic powers.
i'm just sayin....
Hey Jess~you are a great Mom! I find it funny that others want to through their little jabs at people with convictions. Stick to your guns.
We still need to have coffee!
I am not judging. I will not tell you to immunize your children. But educated yourself on HERD immunity. This is what your children will get. It is immunity received from the rest of the population being vaccinated when you yourself are not. While I agree you have the right to your own beliefs and the right to not immunize what would happen if the rest of the "herd" did not immunize. Have you seen the deaths and long term disabilites from Polio? We must home that never comes back again. So be strong in your beliefs but be greatful for those who do immunize...putting their children at risk....for the benefit of herd immunity for your children. I think you can certainly see the problems that could develop if we never immunized anyone.
You go girl! You go and do what you believe is best for your family!! I am wondering, from a wondering Mom perspective, if you are going to home school your kids or not? Here, in Texas, we wouldn't be allowed to put our children in school if they were not immunized. Or daycare, preschool... so on and so forth. So I was just wondering what your plans are... Washington might be different. Strike that, Washington is probably different in that department! :)
Luke and I agree with building up immune systems! We probably won't give Lilly the flu shot after she's 2. Not because we want her to get sick! What kind of parent WANTS their kids to get sick (I only say that because someone said that to Luke when he was talking about this to a friend)???? But because if we don't LEt her get sick, then what kind of immune system will she have later? WEAK!!!!! We also don't freak out about germs... we're careful, just not over protective weirdo's about it!!!
Lovies, Kara
So I wrote this really long comment back to everyone...I mean too long really for a comment...but then the computer erased it when I tried to post it! Sad. So I decided to respond to all comments with a blog. I will try to post it within the next day or two. Thanks for being patient for my reply!
still waiting.....
I know I know. Jones just got really better this weekend and then India Friday night started projectile vomiting...But today she started eating! I think we are in business. I will try and post it tonight.
Patience Anon, patience. The poor mom is dealing with sick kids! And I believe that you forfeit the right to communicate impatience when you comment anonymously...coming from person commenting anonymously!
I am sorry! I should have worded that better. I am not being inpatient but rather wanted Jess to know that I still am very eager to hear her feelings. Sorry India is sick!
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