The pediatrician called me...

the Marquis de Sade today. I deserved it. On Monday, the Chairman had poor appetite.

But that was all. He's not the biggest eater around here so nary another thought flew over it.

On Tuesday morning, the Chairman complained of a sore throat. And still had poor appetite.

But that was all. Everyone of us is suffering the post nasal drip stuff so nary another thought flew over that.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Chairman was really complaining of poor appetite and being tired. I prescribed saltines, ginger ale and a nap.

That will fix the malingering. I thought.

When Pele came downstairs a couple of hours later, I asked what the Chairman was doing.

"Um, he's asleep."

Asleep? That child hasn't taken an afternoon nap in 5 years. Better see what is going on.

A very high fever was going on. Now the nary thoughts began to take this seriously. Fever again today and still a little sore throat but assurances that it was not worse.

This afternoon I decided to actually look at his throat. Bright crimson spots all over the back and on that little dingly dangly thing. Uvula.

Rapid strep test. Positive.

Diagnosis: Mom requires a coma to take you to the pediatrician's office.

In my defense. I work hard at the things I can control (and I use the term loosely) to keep the boys healthy. It was 2006 the last time the Chairman had a sick visit. Don't talk to me about well visits. I'll pull out a soapbox.

I took my chastening from our ped. He's a personal friend and knows just how to get me. Score 1 for him, zero for me, strep for the Chairman and super bonus points to the Publix who gave us free antibiotics for the next 10 days.

Just call me Compassion International. I'll be accepting that Mom of the Year award any day now.