And then on Tuesday. I came home from work with the kids and Rachel complained of her stomach hurting. This is not unusual for Rachel. She often has tummy aches and so I came to rub her tummy with some essential oils. She was BURNING HOT!! 102.5. So I called my boss to let her know I would not be into work the next day. The night was rough. Rachel felt miserable with a high fever that reached 104.7 during the night. This was with Ibuprofen. Lots of baths and a blessing helped us get thru the night. So of course I made an appointment with the DR.
The next morning Rachel slept a lot and was NOT excited about all the medication and baths. We saw the Dr. No apparent illness, so we did a urine ananlysis. Unfortunately it was a little tricky to get the sample. Rachel dumped it out!!! So we had to wait longer, and then finally I got the sample and took it to the DR. office. In the hour between when I dropped it off and when they got around to testing it, her fever went up to 105!!! I was a nervous wreck. I drove to the Dr.'s office and stood at the front desk so I could make sure to get the info I needed!! The results were positive for a UTI. So the doctor gave me a script for meds. Unfortunately the meds could take up to 36 hours to take effect. AHHH! So we started her on the meds and then Winslow called a friend to come help give another blessing. I was physically and emotionally drained. I fell asleep on my bed with the lights ON as Winslow tended to Rachel's needs for the first 5 hours of the night. I would wake here and there and know he was taking a temperature, or comforting her and I was so grateful he was there. He is my SUPERMAN. Once I felt I could function, I took the next shift. Baths, and meds, and cool washclothes, and lots of love. She threw up a couple of times. I was so WORRIED. Winslow, ever the picture of patience and calm, did better. Sometimes I get a little frustrated with that...but most of the time I can let it go later :)
She slept all morning Thursday. So did I! We were wiped out. The dr. called the house to see how she was doing. She did really well all afternoon and we were hopeful she was on the mend. We decided to pack for the trip to Salt Lake City for the funeral. I packed and then left it all in the front room, still not sure if we should tempt fate. The night went well so early in the morning we headed out. And of course she puked in the car! AHHH! You know that moment when you know you can't pull over fast enough! We were blessed. We only had to put a blanket and the cover of her booster in a trash bag and put it in the trunk. And she was fine the whole rest of the trip.
We were grateful to be there for family. This Friday marks the 16 year anniversary of my older brother's death. Most of you knew him well. I have always been touched by all those who came to the funeral. I remember my cousins who willingly gave up their trip to Hawaii (they had been saving all summer with summer jobs and hard work) to come to the funeral. They didn't have to. They didn't really see a lot of us at the funeral. But it had a lasting effect on me. And so, when someone I love dies, or when someone I love suffers a loss. I go.
...And now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;
Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and to comfort those that stand in need of comfort....
Mosiah 18:8-9
This is why I go. For all those that were willing to mourn with me and my family.
The bishop had wonderful words of comfort. To take Sorrow out of Death, you would have to take Love out of Life. (I believe this is a quote from Joseph Smith.)
I am So grateful we had the opportunity to be with family. To cry together. To hug. To hurt. To long for the day when we will be TOGETHER FOREVER.
