SJ and Bob's elementary school has a family picnic every year. I always take the day off of work so that I can be there. It was Bob's last year, as he was a 6th grader. SJ's homeroom came out first. I was waiting in the lobby for him to appear. I don't know why, but I got a little teary as I saw him.
We went through the line and I selected some chicken and baked beans. SJ packed as he usually does. We went outside to find a spot at one of the tables. We sat with a few of SJ's friends. It was very nice to spend time with him and see him interact with his friends. I had someone snap a picture of us and then he was off to play with his friends.
As his class went back inside, Bob's class was coming out. I met him inside the lobby and I repeated the ritual. We went through the line. This time I selected some rigatoni and a cookie. Bob was also buying, but he did nab a few cookies. We found a seat with one of his good friends. He eats much more quickly than SJ, so he was done in half of the time. I had his friend's mom take our picture and he too ran off to hang with his friends.
I love this event that their school has. As I was driving home, I got very melancholy thinking about how this was the last time for Bob and I to share this ritual. I did remember that it is fine to feel sad as long as we got to share something so happy.
I went home to get some things done until it was time to collect the boys at the end of the day. When I picked up the boys, Bob kept asking SJ what was all over his face. I assumed it was eczema, so I wasn't too concerned. I shouldn't have made that assumption. His face looked terrible. He had a rash all over his face and shoulder area.
SJ told me he had seen the nurse. I asked him what she said it was and he isn't the greatest communicator. He said, "I can't remember." So, I immediately called the school nurse in hopes that she was still there. Fortunately, she was and I asked her what she thought was causing the rash. She said she had seen him after gym class and he was very agitated. She asked him if he ate anything different today, but he eats the same lunch everyday. She suggested that I take him to the doctor.
I thanked her and called the doctor's office. They asked if I could bring him right away. I told them I could and we went in. The check in nurse was a little perplexed. She thought he may have had an allergic reaction. The nurse who took us back to the exam room thought maybe he had a tick bite. When the physician's assistant came in, she said it didn't look like an allergic reaction or Lyme disease. She thought it was petechiae. She asked him if anyone choked him or if he was holding his breath. Petechia? The only time I have ever heard that term was when I am watching CSI or Law and Order.
I was shocked when she asked him that. Choked? Who would have choked him? I asked him if he was wrestling with anyone at school. I couldn't believe another student would have done this intentionally. She wasn't 100% sure, so she called in the attending doctor. He asked SJ all the same questions. He kept saying that no one touched him. The doctor said if it was petechiae it would fade in a few days.
We went home and I tried to get more information out of SJ. He still insisted that no one touched him. I asked if he had wrapped himself in ropes at gym class or the swing chains at recess. "No Mom," he said repeatedly. The rash did indeed fade after a few days. I guess it was petechiae. I just hope he wasn't so mad that he would have been holding his breath.
I reminded him that he can't hold his breath when he is in one of his "rages" (his expression, not mine). I also told him that no one is ever allowed to place their hands on him. A few days later, I ran into a mom who was volunteering in school. She said SJ got so frustrated at the task he was doing he put his hands around his neck. She was concerned about him and wanted me to know. I thanked her for telling me. Mystery solved. He was probably doing the same thing on the day of the picnic.
When I saw him at the end of the day, I reminded him he can't wrap his hands around his own neck either. Hopefully, this will be an isolated incident and never happen again. The alternative is just too scary!
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