Minor Illness, a Surprise Gift, AFOs and the Eye Doctor

Minor Illness

After James made it through the holidays without any illness or hospital stays, we mistakenly thought we were in the clear. If there is one thing that James is really good at, it’s keeping us on our toes. He started to come down with a little something last weekend.

Last Saturday he slept most of the day, which is one of his usual signs that he is not feeling well. Sunday morning at 2 am, his body must have had enough sleep, because he woke up. Stacy got up and laid with him in his bed trying to get him to go back to sleep, but he couldn’t. At 4 am she gave up trying and decided to just get him up and take him out to the living room to watch some TV.

James lies in his cushioned recliner on the living‑room floor under colorful cartoon‑themed blankets. In front of him is a wooden entertainment unit holding a DVD player, cable box, stereo receiver, and small decorative items including a stuffed monkey and framed photos. A television mounted above the unit plays an animated show featuring a round‑faced character in a hat and purple sleeves standing in a bright outdoor scene. The room is dimly lit, giving the moment a relaxed, nighttime feel.
Watching TV at 4:00 am

 

Monday morning, he seemed okay. He even helped mom with his breathing treatment.

 

James lies on a bed or couch wearing a green shirt with the words “EXPLORE YOUR WORLD.” An breathing treatment nebulizer mask covers his nose and mouth. James' head is supported by a pillow, creating a quiet scene centered on rest and medical care.
Breathing treatment (aka neb)

 

And then Tuesday night the fever showed up:

 

A smartphone screen displays a temperature‑tracking app for James. A green “Take Temperature” button appears at the top. Two readings from today are listed: 101.8° and 101.3°, both marked as mild fevers with guidance to rest and drink fluids. Each entry includes a “More info” button. The layout is clean and clinical, showing a simple record of recent temperatures.
Somebody’s got a fever

 

Wednesday morning the fever was gone?

 

A smartphone screen shows a temperature‑tracking app for James. The interface has a blue background with bubble graphics and a green “Take Temperature” button at the top. A reading from today shows 96.9° at 6:19 AM. Below it are two readings from the previous evening: 101.8° marked as a mild fever with guidance to rest and drink fluids, and another reading of 101.3°.
Fever gone the following morning

 

Notice how I put a question mark after gone. It was like, what the hell? How do you go to bed with a fever, and wake up the next morning with no fever? Either mommy is that good, or you’re just messing with us kid. Like I said, he likes to keep us on our toes.

In case you are wondering, the thermometer that we use is a smart thermometer from Kinsa Health that connects to your phone. We no longer need to write down or remember what his temperature was if the doctor asks.

 

A blue‑and‑white digital thermometer rests inside a clear plastic case on a wooden surface. The device has the brand name “kinsa” printed on it, and a white cable lies beside the case. The scene shows a simple setup of a modern thermometer and its accessories.
Kinsa Health smart thermometer

 

His fever has been gone since Wednesday and hasn’t returned. We’re not sure what that was about, but with the cold weather we’ve been having in Chicago, James might have just been saying “screw this, if I’m sick, I get to stay home where it’s warm!”

 

A Surprise Gift

Prior to this little illness, life was normal. On Monday, the 11th, he went to school and came home with a gift for me. James has a weekend journal for school where Stacy writes notes about what James did over the weekend. She had said that we celebrated my birthday, so they made me a little something for James to bring home to me.

 

A framed piece of red paper displays a white handprint in the center. Above it, handwritten text reads “Happy Birthday, Dad!” and below it are the name “James” and the date “1/11/16.” The artwork is set in a metallic silver frame, giving a simple, heartfelt look to a child‑made birthday gift.
A birthday gift that James made for me

 

Thanks little dude! I will have to find somewhere to hang it up.

 

AFOs and Eye Doctor

That Friday before he got sick, he went to pick up his new AFOs (ancle foot orthotics) and then saw the eye doctor. The eye doctor was so pleased with his eyes that James doesn’t need to go back for another year.

 

A pair of custom ankle‑foot orthoses (AFOs) sit on a countertop. They feature a purple camouflage pattern with black straps across the foot and ankle for securing them in place. Papers and household items are visible in the background, along with a window framed by patterned curtains.
His new APFs (ancle foot orthotics)