Thanks, everyone, for your kind comments. His food poisoning was over by Tuesday that he’s back in school on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, his teacher called me that evening to tell me that the school doctor noticed he had a “pau pau” in his throat. She suggested I take him to see a doctor tomorrow. I have no idea what it was…

Whatever it is, it isn’t good news. Panicking, I called my good friend to ask about the doctor they usually see. The kind soul offered to accompany me tomorrow! A few minutes later, she called to say the doctor is still around and would wait for us - she thinks we should go that very evening.

AT THE DOCTOR’S
I was going to get dinner ready but quickly changed Lucas back into outdoor clothes and sped downstairs to grab a taxi. Picking up my friend, we arrived at the doc’s at around 6.30 pm.

After I related his cough and flu the week before, the doctor asked about his fever - thankfully, it was a high grade fever (38.0 - 39.5 deg C) and not a low grade one (HFMD). I’m so glad I have the digital thermometer that allows you to measure the exact temperature…

We had a tough time getting him to open his mouth - in the end, I had to hold his arms while she did a quick tongue depression. Poor fella - he was traumatised because he almost choked (due to sore throat) and I’m sure he hated being held down.

Then, she took his temperature (as best as a hand-held one could since he REFUSED to let it be put under his armpit). She also checked his heartbeat and asked if he had any vomiting, runny nose or cough.

She prescribed him lactobacillus bifidus tablets for his diarrhoea (1 tablet, 3 times a day) and antibiotics (Azithromycin/Zithromax 0.1 g x 12 sachets). Because he’d just been taking Promethazine (Rhinathiol) and Salbumatol without antibiotics, the bacteria that caused the cough may have lingered.

She also gave me a pack of cooling tea. Noting his ‘heatiness’ (and pale face), she recommended that he drink more barley, chrysanthemum or honey-laced water instead of just plain water.

TAKING THE MEDICINE
Oh my God! I’ve been such a bad mother to not notice this! He was coughing a bit the past few days but both of us thought it’s the last of his cough the week before.

He loved the lactobacillus tablet but the antibiotics were a bit tricky. He managed to eat some take-out porridge and I didn’t want to force it down in case he vomited the porridge too.

Antibiotics in China come in tiny granules (packed in sachets), which I was to mix with water and feed. It tasted bitter to me and this idiotic Mum made the mistake of mixing too much water - it took us forever to get it down!

Surprisingly, he didn’t mind the bitter taste (weird, right?) I’d mixed it with some honey but he spat that out. I trawled the Net for info on the antibiotics she’d given. After all, I do want to know exactly what I’m giving.

I kept him back from school on Thursday and Friday - then whipped out my herbal cookbook to plan the next few days’ menu filled with nutritious soups plus cooling brews.

TERRIBLE THURSDAY
Lucas finally met his match in his mean Mum. Like mother, like son he’s a SUPER STUBBORN person who refused to eat:
- the half boiled eggs I made
- the porridge mixed with steamed egg and pork bones + sweetcorn + carrots + kei chi (boxthorn fruit) soup
- soft, ripe banana
- kiwi fruit yoghurt

OR drink
- the barley + rock sugar drink I boiled
- the 1 tsp , 1/2 tsp or 1 drop of honey + his water in his AVENT bottle (he wanted PLAIN water)
- the cooling tea the doctor prescribed

He kept hankering for lollipops, banana pancakes, chocolates, cookies or any other ‘heaty’, zero-nutrition stuff that I GOT REALLY FED-UP. Especially when I looked at his pale face…

A few older Mum friends (and his school teachers) agreed that he was too fussy for his own good. I think the school is doing a better job feeding him than I was at home but I thought enough is enough!

I think my father would have approved especially as he believed in the principle of “eating what’s put in front of you” (esp if your mother had slaved half the day in the kitchen preparing it!)

I used the traditional Chinese countryfolk way of making my son eat his food - by scolding, screaming and even slapping his thighs…

This got him to open his mouth and eat whatever was spooned out (about 1/2 bowl of cooled porridge, to avoid hurting his sore throat).

When he refused to finish the porridge, he was sent to the room in punishment, minus his water bottle. I now know that his water bottle is a replacement for the pacifier he stopped using when he was 20 months old.

After a long bout of crying (he’s VERY stubborn) he came out in surrender,

“Eat lice! (rice) Eat lice!”

He finished the remaining 1/2 of the porridge, 1/2 a bowl of soupl and then downed his bottle of water! Phew, was I relieved…

In the evening, we were dead bored and he had a tough time with his throat. Lucas asked for “cough soo-weets (sweets)” and I spent a good 20 minutes checking all my drawers, cupboards and luggage bags for a pack of lozenges I bought.

When we couldn’t find them, he declared,

“Papa take go office eat! No more! Fee-nish…(finish)”

(while wringing his hands). Hahaha, the little tyke learns fast that his father makes food disappear from the house…

We went to the sundry shop but no throat lozenges on sale. However, I saw a familiar bottle - Nim Jiom Pei Pa Koa?! (Cap Ibu dan Anak traditional cough mixture???)

It costs RMB20 because it’s from Hong Kong (Xiang Kang). I gave Lucas a tiny teaspoon (about 5 ml) and tasted some a bit. It provided a cool, soothing feeling to the throat.

I also bought a light raspberry pudding-and-cake that we both had a good time sharing. Of course, I held back my spoon so he’d eat more of the raspberry pudding

Dinner was an easier affair and I told Hubby what happened in the afternoon. Since his Dad is the Mr. Nice Guy, Lucas’ stubborn side rearer its ugly head again but nope, this Mum’s not giving in this time.

He pulled a short stint of crying (since he’s sent to the room) and wailed to his Papa for rescue. Poor, helpless Papa could only point to the dining table and urged him to come eat his dinner…

Finally, he came out and obediently opened his mouth for the porridge. Yay, another little bowl finished! And half a bowl of soup! (silent rejoice and thanks)

After an hour’s break, I gave another teaspoon of the cough mixture. He was already sleepy by then and I gave him his milk when he asked for it.

FAIR FRIDAY
Today, he enjoyed going to market with me and even helped me carry the beancurd and sweet potatoes I bought LOL.

He’s back to his bouncy old self but he’ll have to continue eating his meals obediently to gain back his strength.

He finally likes the barley water (cooled slightly in the fridge) and drank the entire pot (1 litre) I boiled today

His throat must be better as he could even eat his favourite maize man tou without crying in pain…

Me? I’m back to planning a 7-day menu and ensuring that soup is there everyday!

Help me make it through Saturday because Hubby has to work AND attend a wedding dinner HOWL!!!

UPDATE: After having a good dinner and finishing his regular 7 oz milk, I managed to take a look down his throat. The surrounding area is RED.

I’m quite nervous because now, I’ve got to keep a close eye to check if it’s a sore throat, strep throat or HFMD. Please pray that no white spots show up!

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