 | Diary Navigation:
|
May 10, 2003
Last night Charles complained that his back was hurting. He claimed that Tommy, (a classmate) had fallen on him at gym and rammed his elbow into his lower back. My heart stopped for a few seconds as I checked my son and started grilling him for more info. I grabbed the phone to call Chuck, “Should I take him to the ER?!” I shouted into the phone? “Do you think it’s a ruptured spleen, bruised kidney, perforated liver?” I managed to calm myself down and tried to re evaluate. Kids fall and gets bump and bruises all the time. Especially my three. I always panic and fear the worst. Drive myself NUTS. I know it stems from working at the hospital and seeing hundreds of cases of appendicitis, broken bones and more…..Our motto is “Better safe than sorry” but I wish I could calm down a bit more.
When I was a child, I have a few memories of being taken to the family doctor, I assume for well check ups, since I remember getting shots. Other than that, my mom took care of everything at home. I must say I am the total opposite. If my children have a fever, I call for an appointment. Cough, I call. Cold, yep, I call. Of course, 99% of the time, I am told that it is viral, but, what if it wasn’t? (And I am definitely someone that DOES NOT insist on antibiotics), but, still, I feel better once they are checked out.
I can’t even begin to describe all the scenarios for all of our visits over the years. Rashes, ear infections, croup, bronchiolitis, Fifth’s disease, immunization reactions, sprains, cuts, bumps bruises, unexplained crying and more. I once spent the night in the ER with Charles on Christmas Eve. He was hunched over in pain and wouldn’t move or walk, not even to open gifts. Diagnosis: Constipation. Another time, a similar circumstance, doubled over in pain, not moving. Diagnosis: Gas. Sure, I felt silly after hearing that, and even worse for not just letting my son rest at home, but, at least we knew it was nothing more. I also spent Lyssie’s first year at the pediatrician for ear infections. She ended up getting tubes put in, but, to me, a crying baby in the night equaled a definite ear infection. It took about ten visits of me bringing Sarah in and being told her ears were crystal clear for me to believe she was really “just teething.”
Then of course, there are times when I am thankful for being so attentive, for instance, the time I took Charles to the ER and it turned out he had RSV. And when I took Lyssie in for just one more listen to her lungs as she wasn’t getting better, and she had double pneumonia. And obviously, all the visits that did end up warranting treatment, whether it was strep throat, an asthma attack, or dehydration.
I am thankful my children have been relatively healthy, and I guess all this just goes along with motherhood? How about you? Do you always panic and reach for the phone? Or wait it out and just treat at home?
***We are doing well here, just busy, busy packing and painting, and the amount of money (doors, molding, odds and ends to complete the house) we are going through is frightening to say the least. (!!!!!!!!!!!) Just wanted to get this entry out since this has been on my mind and see how I compare to other moms!
Tricia (mom of 3!)
 |  |
|
want to keep a diary on iParenting?
Authoring a diary on the iParenting network allows you to chronicle your family's story, preserving it for years to come. It's also a great way to get the most out of the iParenting community. Click here to start...
|
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families. 
