Being a parent is the most rewarding title and job on earth, there is no questioning that, but it isn’t always lollipops and gum drops. It is hard. Piper hasn’t been her smiley, happy, fun-loving self for a few weeks now. After a bad episode of salmonella poisoning from a restaurant just before Christmas things have been difficult.
Piper had been complaining of her back hurting in the same spot for 2 weeks before I took her in to see the doctor. I didn’t think much of it because she didn’t seem to be in pain for more than a minute at a time. At first I couldn’t tell if she was just pretending because her daddy has a bad back and she likes to “fix” everyone with her toy doctor kit and get pretend check-ups herself, but it wasn’t getting any better and she was irritable, throwing temper tantrums daily. Thankfully she is able to communicate what is bothering her, otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue what was going on and I would have just thought she was grumpy, tired, or just having “terrible two” moments.
After collecting a urine sample by literally taping a specimen bag to her for four hours (it would have been SO much easier if she were potty trained!) we discovered she had a kidney infection, a result of some of the unpleasant effects of the salmonella. This made me feel horrible for not taking her into the doctor sooner! I can’t imagine having a bladder infection without medication for more then a day let alone a kidney infection. I would be in constant tears. Piper is on antibiotics for 10 days and will be fine! Lucky for me, I get to collect another urine sample in two weeks to make sure everything is all cleared up. Of course I would and will do anything imaginable for my little girl but I’m seriously considering starting to potty train her tomorrow. It would be so much easier on both of us—that bag can’t be comfortable.
I’m so grateful it isn’t anything more serious and that Piper has a great pediatrician that found and can cure the infection relatively quickly. I’m looking forward to getting my upbeat, cheerful Piper back!
Xo- Alia
