to keep dd1(6) home from school or not?

[Marne]

Dd1 has been ill on and off since September with (what seems to be) the same virus (high temp, very tired and head aches), i took her to a out of hours GP yesterday as i was worried and he told me to take her to my GP on Monday to get bloods taken, he thinks she may be anemic which maybe causing the illness (lowering her immune system). Dd1 seems a little better today but still looks really pale with sunken eyes.

I feel really bad taking her out of school because 2 weeks ago she had a week off with same virus. It her birthday party on friday and i don't want her being ill for her birthday. Should i keep her home until she looks better (more colour)? She says she feels ok but she was saying 'i feel fine' a few days ago but she could hardly walk.

I'd keep her at home tbh

poor girl

my DS1 keeps being ill with the bug after bug. He's almost 6 and we kept him at home on friday as he was so tired

Dd1 is really tired , she said she has been feeling really tired at school, i think she's finding school hard work compared to last year as she is being given work that the year ahead get.

I would be happy keeping her home for a few days but i'm worried that the school won't believe she's ill as she has had so much time off since September. I'm sure they must have noticed that she's not her self, her face is so what and her lips are so dry and soar.

I would keep her off - she will only be more tired and feel worse.

DD has been the same and we are going at her pace, tiredness just makes any virus and illness worse. wait till the bloods come back...

Thanks

I'm really worried about them taking bloods, dd1 is a bit of a wimp when it comes to needles, will they numb her arm with 'magic cream' first?

Thanks pixie, dd1 is getting anxious, maybe i should'nt have told her about it until tomorrow.

Don't worry about bloods they are really not that bad - lots of distraction and a pressie for afterwards. We read a really lovely musical book to distract DD. Best of luck x

Thank BooHooo, i have to take her in this afternoon, i will take her a prezzie for afterwards.

Our GP who recommended blood tests for DD2 (5), wrote a prescription for the 'magic cream' and we got it at the chemists. I put it on both of DD's inner elbows before we left home and then the second skin plaster stuff and then we took a bus to hospital, me holding her arms straight for most of the journey (got some quite strange looks)so that the cream stayed the desired thickness in the desired place for the time allowed.

I only told her about the blood tests that morning for fear of her building it up into a big deal - as she was very anti injections of any sorts.

I told her that the magic cream would make sure that she wouldn't feel it at all and that they would test her skin by pressing it a little bit before to make sure that it was ready. I've used the magic cream before (for somewhat larger needles!) and so could look her in the eye and tell her that it worked. By being so confident and matter of fact it kept her calm. She wasn't looking forward to it but the thought of the magic cream working kept her positive.

When the time came for us to go into the cubicle, which was pretty quick because they try to prioritise children if there isn't anyone in more urgent need, I told the nurse straight away that it was DD's first blood test. The nurse thanked me for telling him and then went and got someone else to do the blood test - presumably someone more senior/more qualified to deal with children? I sat DD2 on my lap and held her arm firm with one hand and then twisted her little head towards me and held it there, sheilding her eyes from watching the process. Having pressed a pencil end into her arm(!) the nurse knew the cream had worked as DD2 didn't feel it. I then fired off lots of questions to DD2 about what she was having for lunch that day or some such thing and held her firmly in that position. She didn't feel a thing - didn't even know when it was happening or when it had been done. It was all very quick and very stress free ... but I'd definitely urge the sort of wrestling grip that I had her in, so that she doesn't move her arm at all and can't see the needle going in!

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Thanks snowstorm -maybe they won't do the test today (not even 100% sure they will do it at all), if they ask us to come back i will ask for the magic cream.