Hospital Trip

I started to write this the other night, but I was just too exhausted. In the end it probably would have helped me as I was so wound from the entire experience I think I might have gotten two hours of actual sleep before I had to get up and get ready for work. On Tuesday I kept Chloe home from school as she was not feeling well and had begun antibiotics for another bladder infection. As the day progressed I became concerned about the amount of abdominal pain she was in. She couldn't stand up straight. I had to help her out of bed just to get the bathroom. I called the pediatrician and they agreed that she should come in. She was in such pain she started to cry about the idea of have to put clothes on that would be around her waist. I let her go in her footy PJ's.

She was checked over by her doctor who was concerned about the amount of discomfort she was in as well. She gave me some things to do for her when we got home and told me she would call later in the day to see if she was better. When we got home I followed the doctor's directions, but the pain did not get any better for Chloe. When the nurse called for the update she said Doctor Wing wanted us to go to the ER. She wanted them to do an ultrasound to rule out a problem with her appendix or an infection in her kidneys. She was calling ahead to let them know we were coming.

It was about 4:30 Tuesday afternoon. I packed a quick lunch box for Alexa (dinner) and dressed Chloe with a coat and boots over her PJ's. We arrived at the ER before 5 as I live very close to the hospital. When we got there I was actually feeling like things might move rather quickly. The front desk knew about us coming. They got us right in to register with the nurse (blood pressure, temperature, etc.) This, however, was where things came to a screeching halt. I have not weighed in on the recent Health Care Bill debate, but let me state here we have bigger problems with health care than just insurance. When a 7 year old child, in pain, has to lie on a stretcher in the hallway for two hours just to get a room and the another hour to even see a doctor. There are problems. It took another hour to get the ultrasound performed and another for the IV and blood work the doctor ordered to be done. But by far the most frustrating experience came with the hour plus Chloe laid there with the IV bag empty. The doctor said we could go, that it still appeared to be the bladder and we should continue on the antibiotics we were on, but I could not get a nurse to come in and remove the IV and discharge us. It was 10:30 at night. I went to the desk four different times to ask for someone to come take it out and let me take her home. It was close to 11 before I finally planted myself at the nurse's station and used the teacher voice saying, "She is 7. She is exhausted. I don't care who is covering for whom. Someone needs to come take that IV out and let me take her home. She is crying. She just wants to go to bed." It was by far one of the most exhausting experiences I have had as a parent.

Where was Alexa in all this? I was eventually able to reach their dad, and he arrived at about 7. At 8 when we had finally seen the doctor and he told us it would be about two more hours for all the tests to be completed. I handed JP my house key and had him take Alexa home and put her to bed. There was no need to keep her hanging out there too. Sometimes you have to put your personal differences aside because your kid's needs come first. Plus somehow after staring at your child on a hospital bed you feel so cooperative. So much so that when I touched base via phone after the ultrasound was completed he offered to fix anything in my house that needed it while he was there. I politely declined. Trust me if there is one thing I remember vividly it is that he never actually fixes things. No need to get that warm and fuzzy.

I am happy to report that on Thursday Chloe returned to school. We have decided on a preventative medication that she will take for the next few months, at least, to see if we can keep her healthy. I am so appreciative of all the positive messages from family and friends over the last few days. I am especially grateful to my sisters for sending me supportive text messages in the hospital (especially Cherie who was heading in to the hospital herself next morning to give birth!). It helps to know there are people out there thinking about you and that you aren't alone. So thanks to all of you who care enough about the three of us to read all of this. My thoughts go to all of you who must deal with the health care system as your child's advocate on a regular basis. There just has to be a simpler more humane way. No child should have to go through that.