TALES FROM THE CROUP

As a babysitter of over ten years coup has always been a matter of sadness. "We're sorry we have to cancel, the kids have croup," or, "we postponed the birthday party. She has croup and is miserable," have been heard for years. I knew of croup, croup is bad, but never experienced it first hand until this year. I hate croup.

A few weeks ago poor G contracted the virus; it started with a seal cough and led to a week of just plain bad. After a visit to the ER (weekend thankfully) there was snoring and sleeplessness and a very unhappy baby in a steamed up bathroom. Still even the needle and discomfort isn't the worst of the virus' effects because Croup is a gateway sickness and makes the victims susceptible to other illness.

In G's case this meant ear infection and, oh by the way, she had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. Several medications and doctors visits later, the little lovely is finally better (having only one casualty in the process, her poor mom had adult croup) and her smile and laugh returned which makes me smile too.