It's a rite of passage. Growing up I remember many of my friends getting the chicken pox. I remember getting the chicken pox.
I don't remember the chicken pox being like this.
Last Tuesday I was called by an assistant at Max's day camp to tell me that he had a temperature and asked if I could come and get him. I worked the lunch service at L'Oisivethé and ran over to get him in the early afternoon. Max was passed out in a feverish sleep in the dormitory. The assistant told me they found one spot on his belly that looked suspicious. I brought Max home and we hunkered down to rest.
The next day he was still feverish and two more spots appeared on his back. Small, blister like. I made an appointment to see the pediatrician that evening. She confirmed that Max did indeed have the chicken pox and she prescribed the usual creams and antibacterial wash to treat the chicken pox.
The next day we started the treatment. This was day 3 of the chicken pox:
From the beginning of day three to the end of day three, Maximilien's chicken pox progressed fast:
And then on to day four:
Max started having problems with his left eye. There was a pox that came out right on the edge of his eye lid that had opened up and infected his eye. We scrambled to find an eye specialist on the Friday after Bastille Day that would see Max. We called 12 doctors. Note to self, getting sick the weekend around Bastille day is not a good idea. All doctors are on vacation!
I couldn't bring myself to photograph day five and six. Looking at Max was painful for me because Max was so miserable and all he wanted to do was stay in bed all day. The pox stopped appearing around the fifth day and he has quickly started to heal. Our daily mantra now is don't pick your scabs, Max! He's been doing a very good job. No scabs picked. Pretty tough for a curious four year, if I say so myself.
This is what Max looks like today:
Today was the first we've ventured out of the apartment. It was nice to get out and stretch our legs. Now it's time to be careful not to get too much sun on his face and hope there aren't any scars. We stopped by the pharmacy to pick up some cream for Max's face and the pharmacist remarked, "dis donc, il était gâter votre fils". Max was spoiled by the chicken pox (ie. many spots on his face). The French always have a way of with words, don't they?
Oh, honey. Poor Max. I am glad he's on the mend. Hoping Alixe doesn't get it. Give him a hug for me.
Posted by: twitter.com/lareveuse | July 18, 2011 at 16:23
aw, poor Max and poor mama! I'm glad he's on the mend - I remember the chicken pox as a kid and they really are the worst. I hope Alixe escapes them!
Posted by: Carrie | July 18, 2011 at 17:42
He got it pretty bad! I hope he will feel 100% back soon. My son had very few poxes on the face. Most of them were in his mouth and lips and also according to the doctor in the throat, which is very painful apparently, but it has the advantage of not being an issue with scabbing. If it is on the face, maybe it is worth putting some cream that helps the skin heal (I usually don't like to use anything, but I might consider it in this case). I didn't put anything on the few poxes on my son's face, since they were not as bad, and I think just one (the worst one) left a tiny mark.
Posted by: Caroline | July 18, 2011 at 18:35
PS: at least, it is nice to know that Max can enjoy the lovely July weather we are having without worrying about scabs :-)
Posted by: Caroline | July 18, 2011 at 18:41
My first French doctor did not recommend the vaccine...but our new one did and we just gave it to him today! So hopefully we won't have this problem. He is supposed to get a booster in a few years. But it is a standard vaccine in the US. I remember getting them when I was 7 and it was 3 weeks of hell. So if there is a vaccine why not?
Posted by: TN | July 18, 2011 at 19:03
TN - the vaccine is not openly offered here like in the US. We were going to try to get Alixe vaccinated but missed the window of opportunity to do it. Btw, if your child is exposed to the Varicella virus to avoid a break out you must get the vaccination 3-5 days after exposure to the virus. It happened over the Bastille Day weekend and we missed our chance because the Peds were on vacation. Sigh.
Oh well. Repeat for us a few weeks for us while we are on vacation at the beach.
Posted by: Aimee - PutYourFlareOn | July 18, 2011 at 20:24
poor kiddo! he's still a handsome little dude... even with the pox!
I had them twice as a kid, even though that is supposed to be impossible.
wishing you all a continued speedy recovery. xoxox
Posted by: PuNk rAwK pUrL | July 18, 2011 at 21:06
Poor little sweetheart! Glad he is on his way back to health. Two of my sisters had the chicken pox as teens (I had it as a baby) and it is truly miserable to witness. I feel for you! xo BTW, They both healed beautifully. No scars.
Posted by: Ninotchka | July 19, 2011 at 02:07
My generaliste doctor who I trust and have gone to since I am 6 recommended against the vaccine because he says there is evidence it pushes the disease into the adult age. The ped in France and in the US wanted to have it done. In the end, there was always some reason why it was a bad idea to get the vaccine (he was sick, we were away, whatever) and the kid ended up getting it.
Posted by: Caroline | July 19, 2011 at 20:54
Hugs to Max and you!! I hope Alixe gets a light case (but effective enough to give her immunity). I've heard that 18 months-ish is actually a pretty good age to have chicken pox. Lucy was exposed a couple of months ago just before we went on vacation, but she didn't come down with it.
Posted by: Margaret | July 20, 2011 at 04:21