NOTE: Kindly refrain from suggesting that I try this or that unless you can send them to me. We are in provincial China where Western-type medicines, materials and products are either NOT available or extremely expensive due to protectionist trade policies (add 100-150% to retail prices). Thank you.

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As I’d blogged earlier, life with the four seasons isn’t fun with the number and variety of clothes changes. What’s more, the variety of illnesses involved!

When the seasons change, people tend to fall sick with strange diseases, obviously unheard of in sunny or rainy tropical Malaysia…

Since our move to China last year, poor Lucas has experienced:
- severe diarrhea and vomiting (due to the minced meat I bought from the supermarket)
- food poisoning
- a bad sore throat (possibly a strep throat)

Now, he has laryngotracheitis, commonly known as croup. Symptoms include hoarseness, bark-like cough, noisy, laboured breathing but no fever.

And guess what? It’s common during the early winter…

If you have read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, you will recall that Anne Shirley’s best friend, Diana Barry’s younger sister, Minnie May, had croup.

Yes, she almost died from the coughing spasms at night but thanks to Anne’s common sense of giving Ipecac drops, she saves Minnie May and turns headache to a heroine almost overnight in the little town of Avonlea.

No…I don’t intend to become a heroine. And no, I won’t give Lucas Ipecac as that’s an outdated way of treating croup. According to one of the articles above, his baby vaccinations (Hib and MMR) prevents him from severe cases of croup that plagued children in the past.

I’m thankful I brought my “What to Expect: The Toddler Years” with me as this book has been a VERY useful reference. Parents should really get a copy!

According to the book, this type of croup progresses from the common cold. Poor Lucas…one minute he’s having a cough, the next he lost his voice His breathing is also loud and raspy - if he continues like that, I’m going to bring him back to the doctor tomorrow.

Info on croup (for my own reference):
- Babycenter
- AllExperts
- Kidsgrowth

When I look at my previous posts, it felt like he was sick almost every month, except for the months we’re back in Malaysia!

To keep my sanity, I have to remind myself that:
a) toddlers tend to fall sick, especially when they start preschool and
b) we need to adjust to the local Chinese environment, which includes the local Chinese illnesses

It’s just frustrating that each time he falls sick, I’d be having my period too! Each time I have my period, I’d have stomach cramps AND get rather tired and dizzy. While my body screams for rest and relaxation, I have to attend to the kitchen and now, care for a sick toddler.

Thankfully, one of the two maids (another story for another time) I hired to help with cleaning who threatened to leave changed her mind after Hubby’s proposal (money, not marriage!). At least I don’t have to deal with the laundry, sweeping, mopping, ironing and dish-washing for four days in a week.

I’m glad we did our grocery shopping last weekend as my fridge is stocked and I can always order my chicken for soups. However, the fish (Lucas’ favourite food!!!) is running out and if I’m going to keep him at home this week that would mean taking him to the wet market O_O

Ahhh…that’s gonna be a real test of discipline (on Mummy who must refrain from screaming at her kid in public) and an opportunity for the toddler to show me that he’s now a “big boy” LOL

He was really good when I took him to the doctor yesterday. First, I had to endure really naughty behaviour at school but after I told him I’ll bring him to the doctor’s, he agreed, held on to my hand and even waited patiently outside the toilet with his backpack while Mummy eased her stomachache.

When the teachers or ayis passed by and asked him in Chinese why he’s not in class, he said,

“Mummy go toilet. You-cas (Lucas) wait outside for Mummy. Wait here.”

I’m happy he didn’t include useful information like:

“Mummy pang sai (Hokkien=taking a dump).”

At the doctor’s, he sat in a perfectly upright posture (very cute, like a little soldier) on the doctor’s sofa, opened his mouth “Ahhhhh…” and even allowed her to place the stethoscope on the front and back of his chest.

The Chinese old lady praised him to the sky and even wanted to hug him:

“Hao piao liang! Tai ke ai le!” (He’s beautiful! He’s too cute)

Err…I think my toddler’s fast learning the tricks of charming ladies because I notice that when I’m ANGRY at him, he’ll quickly put on a cute face, sing a cute song or look at me with Bambi eyes!!! (I swear he was doing it when the doctor examined him!)

This reminds me that I’m three months behind in his updates…

As he doesn’t have a fever, the good doctor prescribed only one medicine (in a little vial drunk with a straw! Contains snake bile! O_O). I’m also giving him the King To Nim Jiom Pei Pa Koa to soothe his throat.

I’m just glad (although with a minor heart attack) when she announced,

“He doesn’t have pneumonia or brochitis.”

I’m glad I finshed all the winter shopping last week, phew! Life is really unexpected, you know?

“Make hay while the sun shines”

As we’re going to Beijing soon, I really hope that he’d recover soon and be strong enough for the cold, cold holiday. Interestingly, Hubby and Lucas have been falling sick more often than me. I think I’ve only got the flu once!

WHO says women are the weaker sex???

Until then, it’s soups and loads of pure honey…

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