Sick of sick

Right now all three kids have a cold. It started early last week and seems to be hanging on. I actually thought Violet might get out unscathed but she started coughing Friday and has gotten progressively worse. I really don't understand how we pick up so many bugs and why my kids have no immune systems. It's frustrating and makes me think there is something else I should be doing or something that I am not doing right. Anara is snotty and coughs periodically but acts relatively normal. Eddie is snotty and coughing a little and is kind of hit and miss with eating. Violet is a wreck. She has puked the last two nights and Nate and I haven't got much sleep. Today she basically coughed nonstop despite all the albuterol I was pumping into her lungs. Around 3:00pm it changed from the normal sounding hacking cough to a bark with every inhale and she wasn't able to talk. She started crying a soundless cry and I became a little alarmed. We doubled up on albuterol, went outside in the cold air, then stood in a steamy bathroom and she finally started talking and the cough stopped sounding so barky. I was having a difficult time deciding what to do and how long to wait before I took her somewhere. Her pediatrician waited in his office until I could get her in this afternoon and said he thinks it might be croup in addition to whatever else she has. This is her 3rd puking bug with fevers this year. Hopefully we will all get some rest tonight.

Today, while I was worrying about my kids colds, I kept thinking about our friends, the Smiths. Their son, Noah, is Violet's age and was diagnosed with Hodgkins recently and started chemotherapy last week. You can read more of his story here . I am sure the Smiths would appreciate your prayers for Noah's comfort and healing.