Our household had its first confirmed case of the flu last week and I was the sufferer, or the culprit depending on how you look at it.
After two nights with a bad fever I went to urgent care where the doctor listened to my symptoms and then suggested a flu swab.
From that point on, any time a nurse came in, she was wearing a mask. I was asked to put one on as well. When the doctor, who was now also sporting a mask, returned, he said the test showed influenza A. I was given a prescription and instructions to rest, drink fluids and try to avoid contact with everyone including my son. Clearly whoever came up with these instructions was not a stay-at-home mom.
I felt like Typhoid Mary but tried to nonchalantly walk back to the waiting room, hoping no one would notice me. As soon as I opened the door, my mom exclaimed, “oh no, what do you have?” Everyone in the waiting room looked and I’m sure squirmed in their seats. “It’s the flu,” I said. “Let’s talk about it in the car.”
The medicine helped and a few days passed with no one else showing any symptoms.
Then one night, I heard a little cough and when he woke up the next morning, my son had a runny nose and fever. I felt so guilty for making him sick but he seemed to enjoy the popsicles and attention that came with it. In a few days we will be recovered and ready for a new season. There’s nothing like two weeks of house arrest to make you ready for spring.
Hopefully we are better in time for this weekend’s bunny breakfast in Hegewisch. He was just a tiny baby last year, but even then he had a good time with the Knights and their bouncy friend. This year, he has enough teeth to enjoy the eggs and pancakes, too, which I know he will love.
The Knights of Columbus General Pulaski Council 3323 will hold its annual pancake breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 a.m. to noon March 17 at St. Columba Social Center, 13323 S Greenbay Ave. in Chicago’s Hegewisch neighborhood. The breakfast includes all-you-care-to-eat pancakes, French toast, sausage, eggs cooked to order, coffee, milk and OJ.
The Easter Bunny will be there to give gifts and pose for pictures with kids.
The following week, kiddos ages 12 and younger can choose from four egg hunts at Calumet City parks.
Calumet Memorial Park District will host hunts at noon March 23 at Memorial Park, Veterans Park, Burnham Center and Sandridge Center. Children should bring baskets or bags to collect their goodies. The event is free. Rain date is March 30. For information, call (708) 862-6443, visit the park district’s Facebook page or visit www.mycmpd.com.
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