Daddy Diary: Little sickie

Friday night, our little girl looked a bit tired and her eyes were watery. She was bit quieter than the usual. As we got up on Saturday morning, we realized she is sick. We took her temperature - which read 38.7. Surprisingly, little Ayesha was still very quiet and even offered her broad smile first thing in the morning. Only exception was her big, watery eyes and warmer body temperature. We decided not to take chance and went straight to the local GP. After a bit of a wait, the GP could make the unscheduled appointment. By then little Ayesha was looking visibly tired, staring at the GP as he spoke to us.

The GP thought it could be just a common virus, that would require antibiotics only if the fever persists or she shows signs of weakening - otherwise just Panadol would do. So we started her course on Panadol. Our brave little girl kept smiling on. While we could see her not the normal self, she ate as needed and slept when it was time. Her body temperature hovered around 36.5 and 38.5 through the day and well into Sunday. But at times dropping well below "worry zone" - so we stayed away from the antibiotics. While she had fever and symptoms of cold, she didn't cry much at all.

During these couple of days, Ayesha couldn't speak - but the sad look in her face was telling it all. It was breaking our heart even to look at her - and that was just a little fever. As we were having to deal with her illness, the news of Colin, the baby whale was all over the news. The story of the hungry little calf sucking the bottom of the boats in Pittwater having lost her mommy, alongside our little girl's helpless look, made us realize how vulnerable these little ones are and how much they need the parents around them at the time of their need.

But as she keeps doing again and again - Ayesha surprised us yet again. By Monday she was showing no signs of fever and did not need any further dose of Panadol. She was happy and the tired look on her face was gone. Since she fed and slept well during this time - there was nothing much to worry about.

By Monday afternoon, she was fully recovered and even had a new first - helping herself with her milk.