It is only the second day of the battle, and my bones are aching already. After a night of sterilization of toys, bed sheets, pillow cases, table tops, play mat, sofa, I'm dead beat. Kai Xuan woke up in the middle of the night crying, choking on her own saliva and vomited. I had to stay vigil by her side till this morning to ensure that she is fine. With my bulging tummy (yes, I am expecting too), laying down on the hard mattress is a torture for me. No matter which side I turned to for better comfort, the little one inside would be protesting.
My day started at 7 a.m., when Kai Xuan woke up asking for a bottle of feed. I could not make a warm one as it would cause more discomfort to the already painful throat of hers. Then we both fell back to dreamland. The second half of the morning is taken care by my hubby, where he fed Kai Xuan with medicine. I literally woke up at 9 a.m. to see to everything - prepare porridge for Kai Xuan, change her diapers, mop the floor and wash the clothes. By 10:30 a.m., I was exhausted. Despite me like a bee buzzing around at home non-stop, I also need to keep my sight on Kai Xuan, to remind her to drink water and not to place her fingers into her mouth.
Luckily for now, Kai Xuan is still able to swallow plain porridge with Marmite as flavoring while she watched 'Frozen' (her favourite). After her shower, and a nice bottle of milk, she is also able to nap soundly, which she needs plenty of rest at this critical period to recover fast.
Other than practicing strict hygiene at home through frequent hand wash and sanitization, I needed to watch on the type of food to serve to Kai Xuan. Whatever she consumes now must not even be luke warm. All has to be at room temperature and smooth in texture. This is to avoid triggering the discomfort of the ulcers at the back of her throat. I have prepared chilled packet milk and yogurt, in case she is hungry, or to numb the throat a little before having her meals.
The doctor prescribed 3 medicine for Kai Xuan to combat HFMD. I really hope that she would recover fast. On top of that, we have also bought Chinese herb called 'Ling Yang Si', or 'Antelope Horn', to reduce the heat in her body. Unfortunately, I am not able to drink due to my pregnancy.
There are different grades available at Hock Hua Medicine Hall, price ranging from $3 to $30. Try not to buy those with very thin and frail-looking strands, as the effect would not be as good. I used the double-boiling method, a little jar or pot to boil in a larger pot for at least half an hour over low heat. This is to retain the nutrients and to prevent over boiling till the water dries up. The first boil would always be the most concentrated, followed by a second or a third which would be as plain as water.
I can only update till here for now, and I need to rest my aching bones already...
Signing off,
Mummy in combat with HFMD
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