Remember Mom, Sometimes a Fever is just a Fever

As a Mom of a kiddo with a shunt, I am constantly worried about whether there is a shunt issue, malfunction, or infection.  One of those signs is a fever greater than 100.4 degrees (among a multitude of other things).

So when Olivia hit 100.8 degrees on Thursday I went into "tiger mama" mode and immediately was ready to head to the hospital if needed.  I should note I am fairly calm under pressure (in opposition to my hubby, so we're a good pair), so we don't take her right to the ER unless we have very specific symptoms.  But I am always ready, going down the checklist in my head.

FYI, by the time she starts showing severe or drastic signs of a shunt malfunction or infection we only have a few hours to get her seen/ treatment started before brain damage can occur.  Scary stuff but I try not to think about that very often.

Now, the last time she had a shunt issue my mama gut told me there was something wrong very early, even when the doctors told me it was fine.  I didn't feel that fear this time, so that was a plus. 

We had a pediatrician appointment for 4:30pm on Thursday.  I got off work and met everyone there.

Here is the picture I got just prior to arrival.  Sicky McSickerson here was ready to go home with her 102.5 degree fever.

Our wonderful Ped office had already checked her out by the time I got there, done a strep swab, and TA -DA - we were able to confirm a VIRUS!!

Woo hoo!!!!!  Lovely little white pockets of pussy grossness on her throat means NO SHUNT ISSUES!!!!!!

So that is how a Fever can Just be a Fever.  I need to remember that sometimes - we have a kid first and our kid has SB.

"Just a fever" won't always be the case but for now I am thankful we were able to tackle her first real fever (aka greater than 100.5 degrees) without a hospital visit.

"Typical kid issues" for the win in the Smith  house!

Be Happy.  Laugh.  Enjoy Chaos.