mono - how would you handle?

jmmom
Mon, 26 Feb 2007 21:55:28 +0000

As someone else said, there seems to quite a spectrum of severity with mono.
However, sometimes the kids just don’t realize their options.

My S had mono at exam time last spring. Was very, very sick - same symptoms as you describe for your D - but had not been to the Health Service for diagnosis when he took his first final exam. He was so worried at how hard it was so study with such fatigue and throat pain. After talking with me, he went and tested positive for mono. From me and from Health Services, he realized that he could take incompletes. Get rest, get better and do the work when he was more capable.

By some miracle, he got an A on that Chem final (not his favorite subject either), so sometimes they can do the impossible. But the school definitely worked with him when he realized he didn’t have to soldier on. Met with his Dean to get whatever letter he needed to back up his request for incompletes and then emailed his profs. I imagine the system for taking a break from coursework, or taking incompletes, varies with each school. But I would expect them to work with her for sure. He actually had trouble reaching one prof via phone and email. But I told him the secret of The Secretary - ie, departmental secretary often knows all and can do all ;). Via her, he reached the final prof.

Some good news - he came home (1600 miles) a few days earlier than planned. Rested, rested, rested. Ate/drank liquids for a few days until he could handle more. He recovered much more quickly than I expected and without major lingering fatigue after-effects. He had planned to start a summer term about 10 days later. And to my amazement, he was fully fit to fly back and do so. Made up his incompletes during that first week or so back.

Here’s hoping your D’s bout is similarly mild or moderate.