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Whiny
So I took Duncan to the doctor on Friday for his skin problem. I thought it was a hassle that I’d put off too long, but I knew what he had (impetigo) and I knew that getting antibiotics would take care of it.
I was wrong. He has molluscum contagiosum. For those of you not curious enough to click on the link, I’ll spare you most of the details, but trust me, you don’t want to get this. It is contagious, it is ugly, and it is painful to get rid of.
Duncan isn’t the only one with problems. Kate was diagnosed last week with a significant speech delay. We don’t know why she is behind, but it looks like we probably have lots and lots of speech therapy ahead. Given my own super-fun experience with speech therapy as a child, I am dreading it.
As I was driving home from the doctor with Duncan, I started to feel whiny. What nasty stuff Duncan has. Why are we so susceptible to skin problems? Why do we have these issues? What bad luck! I don’t want to deal with these things. I don’t want my children to have to suffer. I’m tired of it. Bleh. And so on.
A little wiser?
And then for no apparent reason, a ray of wisdom broke through my typically whiny self banter: Your children have been amazingly healthy this winter. You were so worried when it was discovered that penicillin was out of the question for Kate, and yet it has now been over a year and she has never needed antibiotics. What do you call a 2 year old who doesn’t get sick!?!?! A miracle.
And what of comparisons: You want to say how unfortunate and unlucky your family is, but what if someone actually had something serious? You could be taking a child with leukemia to the doctor—to the hospital. Or how about we disregard the hypotheticals? Pmom: you know people with children who have far more serious medical issues than the ones you are worrying about. WHERE IS THE GRATITUDE? WHERE IS THE PERSPECTIVE?
So then, I was ashamed. And thoughtful. And thankful. We are lucky. We are blessed. Molluscum isn’t any fun and I’m so sorry for Duncan. But I am glad for him too.
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4 Responses to “Easier to be Whiny than Wise”
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Sorry to hear about these things. It’s a struggle being a mom and dealing with so many various and sundry things that happen along the way with children. I think we all tend to get down when health issues crop up. Once we look around we’re often consoled because we don’t want to trade places with others. Then gratitude sets in and we feel blessed that we have faith to carry us along.
Just poppin’ in to say hi and that I’ve missed your posts! Hope you’re away on some exotic and lovely spring break vacation.
Julie, thanks for the well wishes! Yes, we are just back from our Spring Break. It was chilly, but it turns out staying home would have been even colder! We had a great time. I love that you noticed I was gone. I find that motivating. : ) Thanks.
[...] in time for the waning days of summer, Duncan’s molluscum contagiosum has finally completely healed. I am so thankful. It has been an ordeal. He now has the all clear [...]