Excerpts
Developing a Personal Relationship With God
Getting His Support
Sick Days and Nights |
Sick Days and Nights
No matter how hard you try to stay healthy, someone, at some time (probably an inconvenient one), will become ill. Developing a strategy for sick days will make enduring them much easier. Your first wish will probably be for Jesus to come by and heal whoever is sick, like He did in the New Testament (Matthew 5:25-34; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 8:16; Mark 3:5) Even if you can’t touch His robe and be healed, you can say a prayer that He will heal whoever is ill.
Prepare for Sick Days
Letitia’s 18-month old son Eddie woke up with a fever and diarrhea the day after her husband left for a business trip. Letitia wasn’t too worried; she figured it was a virus that would pass in a day or two. However that evening, after Eddie had gone through and entire bag of diapers, Letitia realized she would have to go out, with two kids (sister Anna was six months old), one of them sick, and buy more diapers. Letitia carefully made a list of supplies she anticipated needing, like diaper wipes and soda and soup. Unfortunately, as they were shopping, Eddie began throwing up and Anna’s diaper began leaking diarrhea.
Letitia hurried through the store grabbing just the diapers—her husband was due home the next afternoon and he could get the rest of the supplies. Again, the unexpected happened. Bobby’s plane was delayed and Letitia began to feel stomach rumblings. She remembers, “The next day was a blur. I was sick, the kids were sick, we were running out of diapers and had no wipes or soup. I didn’t have anything to keep Eddie occupied once he was feeling better, and didn’t even have any medicine for my own stomach ache. I was never so glad to see anyone as I was when Bobby got home! I’m not sure he was so glad to see us. After that terrible day, I was determined to be prepared for anything.”
Start your own preparation for sick days, today! Make a comprehensive list of “sick day supplies” for the kids and adults in your family. Your list should include the following.
- Medications to treat fever, pain, an upset stomach, cold symptoms, diarrhea, constipation, diaper rash, cough, nausea and vomiting, and so on, in age appropriate form (drops, liquid, chewables, tablets) for every member of your family. Keep in mind that symptoms like cough, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting may be the body’s way of healing or getting rid of harmful substances, and you shouldn’t always try to suppress them. Ask your doctor or nurse for guidelines as to what medications should be given, and for what symptoms. Become familiar with ingredients in these medications and what they treat; a cold medication might contain a fever reducing medication, so if you give a fever-reducing medication along with the cold medicine you’ll be giving an overdose of the fever-reducing medication.
- Medications to treat any chronic illnesses, like diabetes or asthma. When a child who has a chronic illness is sick, he or she might need more medication or a different kind. Make it a habit to check the labels of each medication every few months to make sure none are outdated.
- If your child gets frequent ear infections, ask your doctor to prescribe an ear drop that relieves the pain. These drops do not cure the infection, so your child still needs to see the doctor, but the drops will help ease your child’s pain you can get to the doctor.
- Electrolyte replacement fluid/popsicles for infants who have diarrhea and/or are vomiting.
- Soda and juice to sooth upset tummies and replace fluids lost by vomiting and/or diarrhea.
- Thermometer and probe covers.
- Humidifier and distilled water.
- Tissues.
- Comfort foods like soup, mashed potatoes, rice, applesauce, jello, pudding, and popsicles.
- Activities to keep the kids occupied when they’re on the road to wellness but bored, or when you’re sick and need to keep them busy. When they’re on sale, purchase a small supply of videos, coloring books, crayons or markers, stickers, large sheets of paper, books, puzzles, simple craft projects, electronic games, and so on. Keep these hidden until they’re needed.
- Sometimes your mother’s instinct will tell you when your child is on the verge of becoming ill. When you sense this, or hear that another bug is going around school, check your supplies and stock up as necessary.
Sicknesses don't occur at predictable times, or when it's convenient to go to the store and get sick day survival supplies. If you haven't read "Never Run Out," (Chapter 9, page 258), refer to that now. When you use this system, you'll always have sick day supplies on hand. |
