A rash, A virus, Croup, & A Shot

Yuck, yuck, yuck! In the last 6 days I have spent at least 7 hours in the doctor's office with the boys. I had Parker there last Monday for a "rash" that started out as a bug bite 2 weeks before...not sure what is was but came home with a new cream (the one I was using was not helping) and an antibiotic. So on Monday Parker missed soccer practice and I missed a meeting at church..ugh. Fast forward to Thursday. My mom and I had planned to go do a little shopping when I got off work. She was meeting me at Chad's mom's to pick up the kids and ride together. I walk in the door and hear, "Cambell is burning up with fever" UGGHHH! Off we go to the doctor to determine it's a virus. Well that was Thursday and today he is still pale as can be and has been running fever again today. And lastly, when Parker woke up yesterday at my mom's (I was working and Chad was out of town) he had a croupy cough...I immediately had them start his breathing treatments and hoped for the best. He was better until 2 am, when croup always makes its worst appearance. He came to my room wheezing so bad and coughing a horrible cough. I gave him a dose from an inhaler and after about 45 minutes he settled down. Today we saw the doctor (after 3 waiting hours) and he had to have a steroid shot! He HATES shots. Not that any child likes them, but I swear I think he may have a nervous breakdown one day from them. His FIRST question to the doctor EVERY visit we make is "do I have to get a shot?" He now has an inhaler to use daily to try to keep him from getting this type of thing so often. He has the croup at least 3-4 times a year! It all started when he was about 10 months old and he was actually hospitalized with it then. Let's hope this keeps him a little healthier. I am so thankful that they only have illnesses that are mostly an inconvenience and hold them down for a week or so.