Mastitis

This past Sunday, I discovered the clogged milk duct. By Sunday night the fever, chills, aches, pains, headache, and nausea became reality. Monday morning came and I could hardly move.
I was facing a day full of things that needed to get done and knew that Rich would not be able to help me. He had to leave that afternoon to go out of town, and wouldn't be home until dinnertime on Tuesday.
I called my Mom early on Monday, because I had no idea how I could possibly make it without help. My Mom knew immediately why I was calling - but with much regret - had to tell me that she had to cook at church on Wednesday and no one would be able to fill in for her. She was not going to be able to come. So, I had to face reality - and somehow get through the day. I had already decided that I had to do something about the aches and pains. My readers who know me well might need to sit down before your read the next sentence. I took ibuprofin. That's right people. Desperate times call for desperate measures. That one dose got me on my feet and moving around. I was able to get breakfast for everyone and work on our dinner preparations.
About 30 minutes after I called my Mom, I called her back to tell her not to feel bad - and that I would be just fine. Strangly, she did not answer her phone. About 20 minutes after that, she called me from her cell phone. She called to tell me she was on her way. She was with me by 11:15 that morning! She was my lifesaver. She took care of the children. She helped me get Martin to his first soccer practice. She gave me the opportunity to rest.
For those of you that don't know, Mastitis is a bacterial infection. It is usually caused by a clogged milk duct. I thought at first it was just a clogged milk duct, but once all the other symptoms set in, I knew that it had progressed to mastitis. Antibiotics are usually prescribed, but I am pretty determined to not use antibiotics.
Once the ibuprofin began to wear off, the fever, chills, aches, and pains returned. I started taking GSE, colloidal silver, garlic, and oil of oregano, vitamin C, and echinacea/goldenseal. I used a heating pad, and moist heat. (thanks to Marsha for giving me advice on what I should be doing) Interestingly enough, on the top of the list for healing this awful infection, is rest!!
Rest is the gift that my Mom gave to me when she walked through my door. I went to bed Monday night feeling worse than I have ever felt in my life. She took over. I was able to sleep all night long - never once being disturbed. My Mom was up with Aaron, Jonathan, and Rosalie at different times throughout the night, and I never knew it. When I awoke on Tuesday morning all my symptoms, besides the clogged milk duct had almost completely subsided.
I am convinced that being able to rest on Monday and all through the night is what helped me get better. My Mom has already gone home. She had to leave Tuesday afternoon. I am so thankful that she came to help me through such a rough time for me. What in the world would I do without my Mom?
I hesitated briefly before calling my Mom. I didn't know if she would be able to come, and I didn't want to make her feel bad if she couldn't. The reason that I decided to go ahead and call - I knew that if any of my children ever needed me for anything, I wouldn't hesitate to do anything I could to help them out. That's what my Mom did for me. Thanks, Mom. This wasn't the first time, and I know it won't be the last time. That's just what Mom's do.
So, if you have the opportunity to hug your Mom today, give her a hug and tell her how much you love her. I sure do love my Mom, and am so thankful that God gave her to me. I wish I could hug her today, but I sure am blessed to have had her here when I needed her the most.