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Now What
Now What
"It Could Be Worse."

"It Could Be Worse."

Parenting is full of forced silver linings. They keep us from losing our minds.

Melinda Wenner Moyer's avatar
Melinda Wenner Moyer
Jul 28, 2023
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Now What
Now What
"It Could Be Worse."
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My 12-year-old has been sick all week. Picked up a camp plague, as one does. But, like, he’s been really sick. Fever of 102 while on Advil and Tylenol. Headache. Sore throat. Terrible fatigue. No appetite. (As I write this, he has eaten two tortilla chips over the past 24 hours, and we’re on day four.) Diarrhea. Vomiting.

Two nights ago, I had the terrible realization that it could be mono. My 9-year-old had mono in April, and it was eternal and abominable, and I know that 1) people can shed the virus for months and 2) the incubation period is 4 to 6 weeks. So it was possible she’d infected him.

Panicked, I took my son to the pediatrician yesterday for a strep test, Covid test, and, of course, mono test.

They all came back negative.

I swear to god, I almost jumped with glee and hugged the pediatrician. I was beaming. It felt like THE BEST NEWS I HAD EVER GOTTEN.

I texted my friend

Dan Blank
:

Omg did that make me laugh. And think. And decide to write this newsletter.

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