When I was a little asthmatic girl, whenever I was really sick and had a very bad chest cough, I would say to my mother "Mommy, I'm barking like a seal...*whimper*" because that's what it would sound like. On Thursday, I woke to Daxon barking like a seal. I was so freaked, I had to call my mother first. I told her "Mom! He's barking like a seal!" After a small chuckle, she reverted back to being worried. I ended up calling the ever so handy 24hr Public Health Line to speak to a nurse. While on the phone with the nurse, I was trying to describe his cough as a hacking cough, Daxon then let out a pathetic cough, and the nurse said "Ohhh, he's barking like a seal?" I laughed and told her of the story about me as a kid, then got to the point and answered "yes." Then we ruled out what WASN'T happening (like lips turning blue, fighting to breath), you know, all the stuff I was already hyper-paranoid about. The nurse said it was Croup. Croup. Of course it was damn Croup. Why didn't I figure that out? Because I was too busy just trying not to panic and keep him calm.
In case you don't know what Croup is, it's a childhood virus that is pretty much a cold, but the cough is harsh. It's a scarey sounding cough, but it's a very common illness. The "attacks" almost always occur at night, and it's treatable by putting a humidifier in the room, or running the hot shower (no not throwing the child in) but allowing the child to breathe the warm mist. Also, oddly enough, the cold night air is also good to calm an attack. Go figure.
It really didn't slow Dax down much. The next morning he was back to his usual busy cheery slightly whiney self. Today though his voice is all raspy and quite pathetic. I just want him to get better...
Croup? Holy shit! I was spared a croup incident. I understand you have to take kid into the bathroom, turn on the shower and steam up the room. Barking like a seal? Holy shit! I would have scooped up my kid and made like a maniac to the nearest ER. Dang Laura, cool calm and collected like a Zen Mommy.
(Also croup sounds like something ghastly and dermatological, like with big scabs or something. Ouf.)
Posted by: GraceD | November 14, 2004 at 07:17 PM
LOL, Ah, well thank you *hug*...it wasn't easy that's for sure. I almost wish that croup was a scab...It would less heartbreaking and scarey. and by the way, of course you may use "kicks so much ass I can't shit." I'd be honoured.
Posted by: Daxohol | November 14, 2004 at 11:52 PM