For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for April 28, 2010

Amen!

Susan001 - to answer your question from yesterday - Reyes Syndrome is a condition which develops following an illness, and affects all body organs, but especially brain and liver. Cause is unknown, but there is a relationship between the condition and taking salicylates, including aspirin. It is often fatal. It does NOT cause paralysis. Perhaps the poster from yesterday is thinking of Guillian Barre (sp?) Syndrome, which does cause paralysis and often follows a viral illness.

Isn’t this the story line where Liz ends up in the hospital?

RSV

“all sanity is lost.”

I feel her pain. I truly remember those days when my kids were sick. As a parent, you do all you can, and still feel helpless

Lynn reminds me of the worry and second guessing of motherhood.

Howtheduck, two days ago JOHN was unhappy for being woken up at 3AM (again) because Lizzie was sick, but did the good daddy thing and comforted her back to sleep. Today Ellie feels bad because when you’re a mother you ALWAYS feel bad when you’re kids are sick or in pain. You may not really wish for all the noise back, but you sure do wish your kid felt good enough to make all that noise.

I can still remember more than 30 years ago when my son had such bad earaches and I would sit up with him in the middle of the night comforting him. You don’t ever forget the helpless feeling when your child is sick.

i remember having the feeling of helplessness when any of our kids were sick, and i was a working dad.

i tried to give my wife a break when i got home , but the kids preferred mommy

@ JEngh03,

That is the impression I got of the strip a couple days ago too.

Being a quiet makes me feel so peaceful!

I wouldn’t argue with How if I were you. He knows this strip better than anyone, and he also sees Elly and John for what they are. Others could keep that in mind when everyone including How is saying Elly, is irrational, out of control, and her behavior is intollerable in real life and as a reader observing the situation.

Isn’t anyone going to ask why the baby, especially a sick one is sleeping on her stomach? They knew all about SIDS in the 80’s. Good thing we already know she survives, huh?

Right, Duck. Some people are never satisfied.

Maybe she doesn’t survive in this version of the strip.

I can think of some ways to make the kid cry.

SIDS occurs up to a year

Maybe it’s just me but Lizzie seems to be lying on her side, head to the side and raised. Just what my pediatrician recommended when my kids were small and sick. Kept them from choking on their own vomit. If they were on their back that’s what could happen and does even with adults who overdose on alcohol or drugs.

It looks more like Lizzie is laying on her side rather than on her stomach. Besides, Elly is right there beside her so I think she’ll be okay.

But even if Lizzie were on her stomach, she’s a toddler, not an infant, so I think she’d be pretty safe laying that way. If she finds herself in a position where she can’t breathe, she’s more than able to move her head to the side or turn herself over so that she can get air again. Since she appeared to be sleeping in a child’s bed and not a crib when John went to check on her 2 strips ago, I think she’s probably beyond the age of SIDS now.

(According to sids.org on the subject, SIDS usually occurs to babies under the age of 1.)

I don’t think which way a child lies matters. It was 37 years ago but I’ll never forget. My 10 week old daughter was on her back when she died from SIDS.

Sorry MrsLuke on your comment about 7 hours ago but I don’t think Howtheduck sees John and Ellie as what they really are. They are no more irrational or whiners than anyone else. Sometimes they make mistakes but who among us doesn’t?

I’m so sorry about that W6BXQ John!

Hmmmm – I thought we were all allowed our own opinions about the kind of parents/people John & Elly are.

I thought Reyes was post-flu when aspirin is given – and also that it is quite rare.

I once dealt with a mother who had lost a baby to SIDS, and she was a total nervous wreck with her next baby who was healthy.

I’m new to this strip and just fell in love with it. Is the complete set (boxed collection) out yet like it is for Calvin and other comics?

Ravoria- it probably IS, but the author is now “tweaking” the old strips to update them ;-)

MrsLuke - the connection between SIDS and children sleeping on their stomach wasn’t known until much later.

W6BXQ, sorry for your loss :(

I meant like those huge box sets, since its usually cheaper to buy those, but thanks

W6BXQ, John:

My deepest condolences at the loss of your precious daughter.

:o(