1st Nov - Isabelle was running a temperature in school. Her teacher said she was coughing more than normal. We thought maybe it was just the cough bothering her, but turns out the fever spiked up to 39 degrees at night. Next day, we brought her to the paed, it was a rush and busy morning. The maid was leaving that morning, the agent was late to pick her up, the toddler was fussy, but we made it still. SHe was diagnosed with a mild chest infection and should be better in 2 days. And so thought everything would be fine.
3rd Nov - I return to work while D cared for her at home. Everything was fine the first half of the day, and then the fever came back. It was fluctuating between 38.5 to 39, but by 8pm, it was close to 40 degrees. We panicked and rushed her to a nearby paed, who taught us patiently how to treat the fever, but turns up also gave us some false information. SHe told us that Isabelle had recovered from the chest infection, and we just needed to control the fever. The next day, when we brought her back to our regular paed, she shook her head and said the chest infection had gotten worse and that's why Isabelle was running a persistent high fever. SHe had to be admitted immediately. Though my heart was breaking to hear the news, I also knew this was the best option for Isabelle to recover.
That started our ordeal at Mt Alvernia. Admission and all was rather slow, and I was getting rather impatient with the bad coordination of blood test, x rays, mucus suction etc...they kept calling us for tests and all during lunch time when the poor toddler was so so hungry. By the time, everything was done, the toddler was feeling tired, fever was creeping in again, and refused to have her lunch. However, once all the admission stuff got settled, I have to say, the nurses were absolutely perfect. They took such great care of Isabelle, checking on her hourly. Special thanks especially to the night duty nurses, Sister Regine, Cassandra and Sharon who patiently came to feed Isabelle her medication, do the neubuliser treatment, and monitor her temperature. Not forgetting her paed, who visited her twice a day, and spent so much time with us explaining why she was ill, and what kind of treatment she was administering.
The 1st night, D and I literally collapsed without realising what was going on while the nurses took over. The 2nd night, after more rest, I was consciously aware of the many times the nurses came in to check on Isabelle. I also realised that Isabelle was calling out to me in the middle of the night, and it was a good thing that the nurses allowed me to share a bed with Isabelle. Through the entire 2 days, I experienced calmness knowing that God would heal Isabelle. I was also very relief to have so much family support from my parents who were here for Isabelle's baptism on Sunday, my brother who flew in from HK, his fiance (Isabelle's godma) and her parents who flew in from Jakarta, my aunty & uncle & cousin. Thank God for my family who journeyed with us.
Isabelle is now temporarily out from school, and thanks to my parents who are here for the week caring for her. Isabelle is active again...cheeky as usual (she also locked herself in the room on MOnday, and my mum literally freaked out when we could not find her), eating more (though she still dislikes milk...argghghghgh)...though she still has a mild grade fever which is a little worrying.
My greatest disappointment throughout this saga. No help from the in laws. I am lost for words honestly. Isabelle will be out from school for 2 weeks. My parents are caring for her this week, and we asked if they could help out the following week. Unfortunately the answer was lukewarm, with many "whatifs"...so let's just say D and I are going to take off to care for Isabelle ourselves (which means D is flying back specially cos I can't afford to take the entire week off). Oh well, such is life rite! Anyway, I just want to focus on my baby. Please get well soon, eat more...cos you are so so thin already. We love you Isabelle!
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