“I’m not sure. It’s hard to tell when one virus ended and the other began.”
I’m sitting on the familiar cushy bench in the corner of the yellow, frog-themed room at the pediatrician’s office. The nurse asked me when the symptoms started, and this is my response. She nods and tells me that she gets it. We’re not the only family who has ever had back-to-back-to-back illnesses.
Seven years into motherhood, and the pediatrician’s office feels more like a second home than a doctor’s office.
As much as I love our pediatrician’s office, I wonder when the visits will be fewer and farther between. I wonder when the sound of a cough won’t set me into a panic in the middle of the night. I wonder when I won’t get that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when the thermometer reads higher than 98.6 degrees.
With three kids in the family, one virus can last for over a month in our house. And by the time that one is behind us, someone has brought home another one. It doesn’t take more than a shared sippy cup or sneeze to the face before the germs start spreading again. Lather, rinse, repeat.
I don’t think it will be like this forever. It can’t always be like this forever. But right now, in the little years, the revolving door of illnesses consumes me.
At the end of the appointment, I heard those four bittersweet words from the doctor, “It’s just a virus.” Yes, another one. Nothing to do but rest and wait.
My son picks out a Baby Shark sticker and I make small talk with the receptionist while we check out. At this point in our relationship, she knows more than she probably should, like where my husband works and why we’ll never buy another house with a septic system. Like I said, second home.
Spring will come again and the revolving door of illnesses will slow down. I will come out of it a little more fatigued, and my kids’ immune systems will be a little bit stronger.
If I could give advice to new parents? Don’t agonize so much about which diapers you should use or if the Costco membership is worth it (it is).
Just make sure you love your pediatrician.
