Thursday, February 25, 2010

Sick or not?

A few weeks ago Logan had a nasty virus. He had a high fever and complained that his knees and feet hurt. I took him into the doctor and he had a low white blood count that indicated a virus, but other than the fever and the body aches, he had no other symptoms. 


Fast forward a few weeks: Dad is deployed and Logan is having obvious separation issues, but seems to be handling thing well, considering he is a sensitive soul (aka: crybaby, wienie, pansy). 


The issue has been, even before my husband left, that he is complaining on a daily basis that he doesn't "feel well" and he generally says his stomach hurts. When there is something he doesn't want to eat, he can't because he doesn't "feel well". When he needs to wash his hair, he can't because he doesn't "feel well". You get the picture. That seems to be his excuse for everything and in those moments, I call BS. 


Here is the catch: In the past few days he has twice been running and suddenly started crying because his knee hurts. He doesn't seem to have fallen or hit anything either. He says it just hurts. Again with the stomach, it his biggest complaint/excuse, but he's had significant diarrhea at least twice in the past few weeks. Once at the same time as Hunter and I think it was something they may have eaten. 


So my dilemma is, do I take him to the doctor? And if so for what? 


Part of me thinks this is stress, but he had sneaky strep throat that manifested itself as a stomach ache just late last year. I waited over a week before I finally took him in and only did so because Hunter had a fever and cold symptoms. I am also concerned about his knee complaint, but he could very well just be saying that for attention. 


I hate to see my little boy in real or imagined pain.

9 comments:

Claire said...

JMO, but I think it could be stress. Even though he was complaining before your DH left, he was probably feeling the anticipation to him leaving. I remember being a young kid and when my Mom was in the hospital, I manifested my feelings into saying I didn't feel good, and stayed home from school for a week. Sometimes little people don't know how to convey the way they feel, and this may be the way they express it. Just a guess, but it sounds like you have your share to deal with, I admire military families!

Nancy C said...

Take 'em. For your sense of peace more than anything. It sucks, hon. I'm sorry.

S.I.F. said...

That's so hard, because your kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't! I would errror on the side of caution and take him in, but either way it's a bummer. Poor guy! I'm sorry lady, it must be hard to see him struggling - no matter what is causing it.

Unknown said...

It's hard to say. When I was young, I used to have a lot of pain related issues (stomach and head mostly) and everyone treated me like I was faking it. Turns out it was allergies. I felt so belittled by everyone treating me like I wouldn't tell the truth about how I felt. It was never allowed to be an excuse for my mother, but she did believe that something was wrong (which was a relief that she believed me when my teachers wouldn't). I would say to believe him that something is wrong. You can always ask him if he wants to go to the doctor. If he doesn't, then definitely don't let it be an excuse for him. Teach him how to work through pain. It's a good lesson in itself.

Shannon K. said...

I would take him and I wouldn't think twice about it. It's really odd for a little one to have achy knees/feet. You say for what? Well, I would just explain all the symptoms you have witnessed. Biggest thing, what does your gut tell you.

On a different note, and I feel inappropriate bringing it up on this post...I am still laughing at your comment over my singing. Hmmm, maybe I am missing my calling as a children's entertainer!

kristin said...

I am having the same dilemna (dilemma) with my little man. He complains his knee hurts. The other day we were at the zoo and he was in tears. I think I am going to break down and take him to the doctor.

I hope for your sake that it is just stress. I know when my father separated from my mom, my sisters (younger) always acted sick. They wanted attention, either good or bad.

Just a thought.

Good luck!

Windthicket Fables said...

How old is he? Maybe you and he can meet with a school counsilor together? Maybe he needs to verbally express his issues?

Anonymous said...

What was the outcome? My prayers are wtih you all.

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