Tuesday 26 January 2016

Chapter of Their Life : Chickenpox

Yes, this is a chapter of their life. Another milestone?! (Should I bookmark this in this blog?!) Both of them?! Yes, for both of them!

It all started on the night during their bath. OMG! I saw both their back filled with red spots. Hmm, in my mind, "Oh No! so many ants bites?". After the bath, I called the daycare auntie and ask her if she has noticed that too, she mentioned yes and was sharing what she has done to check onto the ants (if any).

The next morning, I noticed Abigail's nose and also neck line has more spots. I still didn't suspect it was chickenpox but I told Ivan that we need to get this check.

Da.. da... at 10am, Ivan texted me from the clinic and confirmed it is chickenpox (CP). He then brought both the girls home, called daycare auntie to inform her about it. Doctor advise to give the medicine (syrup) just in case the fever rise up. We reached home about 2pm after collected the necessary (i.e. neem leave, bought some bread, coconut waters).


Ivan carefully spread the neem leaves on the bed. The girls were just so excited seeing that while asking "Papa, why put these leaves?!", "Can I help you?"... then, of course they enjoy the day so well as they can stay at home.

First day night, we could clearly see that Abigail's body has more spots than Annabelle. (PS: both gotten CP vaccination when they are 1-2 years old). The night was not too pleasant for Abigail, she got up many times scratching her body while crying to me: "Mummy... Mummy... pain... pain..." I offered to apply calamine lotion, she refused. I offered to apply normal lotion, she refused while crying.. at last, she wanted to apply Bepathen nappy rash.. I applied for her, she finally slept at about 4am.

On this side of the bed, Annabelle too awake by the sister's cries. She asked me: "Why my body so itchy!" I explained and comforted her. But she is very understanding and obedient, she listened and stop scratching and went back to sleep.

The 2nd day of the CP was even tougher. It was a Friday. I thought I better take one day of emergency leave (EL) from office as I could see more spots are emerging at the children's body. In the afternoon, the hot weather and sweaty body of them make them feel even more uncomfortable. However, they still ate well (porridge, soup, rice with sauce) and play non-stop. :) Mummy wanted to distract them from the itchiness, told papa to give them some work. (Revision Worksheets, Art and crafts, CNY decoration, coloring, etc.)





As in the practice, we did not bath them for 2 days. We were worried that the scar on their body will be sore when water touches it. I just wipe them with warm clean towel, put on loose cotton pyjamas for them.



As the 3rd and 4th day of the CP, it can see that they felt better although still see them scratching those spots especially near the side of their back. Then, we began to bath them with water only (no soap).

For the past one week, they were quarantine in the house. Thank God that Papa is able to be with them while working from home. Everyday, they just waited for me to come back. During these one week was one of those week where working/ clocking in 5 hours in the office is the longest working hours as my heart is with the kids in the house. :|

Annabelle missed her school so much. Abigail told me that she wants to go to "Amma House". 

Today, everything reverted to normal. Annabelle is back to school. Abigail is at Amma house. Papa is meeting customers and mummy is working. :)

All right, the myth/ tradition of CP is now coming to an end;

  1. Even your kids are vaccinated, they may still be contacted with the virus to build their immunization. 
  2. The same vaccine was given to the kids, they may have different amount of spots/ CP on their body. 
  3. We only bath the children at the 3rd day, in Indian culture; it said "pouring of water". The mixture was neem leaves and tumeric - kunyit (mix well) and put into water and bath the children.
  4. We don't spread around to the world about their CP. We hope all spots come and go very peaceful.
I remembered I had mine when I was 12 years old when I remembered how my parents and my po-po took care of me. So now it is my turn! This is a life-time experience for the girls and us as parents.

"Annabelle and Abigail, remember this experience ya! You had your Chicken Pox when you are 5 years old and 3 years old respectively."