Sick Baby George

Being responsible for another person is a big responsibility.  Especially when that person can't communicate with you when they are sick.

A few weeks ago, George woke up from his nap lethargic and with a fever.  We gave him the usual meds and his fever didn't go down.  The following morning he still had the fever and was shaky.  A few weeks before this we had been to the doctor and found out he had some fluid in one of his ears, so I was concerned he had developed an ear infection.  So, after a call to the doctor, we went in and find out his ears were clear.  

Yay!  

No ear infections!

Abby came along to make sure her Georgie was okay.  She pretended she was the doctor while we were waiting for the real one.

Since they couldn't find a reason for his fever, they pricked his finger to do a blood test. 

Anyway, I was getting ready to go home when the doctor said they wanted me to go to the ER for more tests because he had a high white blood cell count.  Really?  That was unexpected to say the least. 

I felt a little silly... going to the ER for a fever that was only a day old.  But, the doctor was concerned from the blood count and that he was shaky in the morning and didn't want to send him home.  So, I figured I could go home and worry myself sick or go to the ER and make sure everything was fine. 

They immediately put an IV in him and then he passed out from crying :(

The doctors office gave him a double dose of motrin and his fever was finally down.  The ER gave him fluids through the IV, took a chest X-ray, started blood cultures, checked his urine (which ended up all over my leg...ewww!) and gave him antibiotics through the IV.  Thankfully, all the tests came back fine.  And, he was started to feel better!

As I was sitting in the ER holding my sleeping sick baby, I got to thinking... Anyone I knew who has been really sick (cancer, diabetes, etc...) had been in the situation I was in... Doctor's running tests and you waiting for the results.  My mind couldn't help but wonder what I would do if the doctor's came back and told me they had found something on one of the tests.  I know more than one person who has received that news about their child.  Very early in my pregnancy with George there were problems.  They went away and George was born a very healthy baby, but maybe they missed something?  

Am I being dramatic?  Yes.  Or maybe I'm just being a mother.

Either way, I was a lucky parent that day because all the tests came back fine and George is a healthy boy.  However, a few days later I tested positive for strep.  And, Abby came down with Pink Eye and probably strep.  All treatable :)

In a weeks time, we went to the doctor 6 times, plus the ER.  We had 4 prescriptions.  Missed 1 day of work.  And easily used a tank of gas.  Thankfully, we have good health insurance.  I hate to think about the decisions I would have had to make if we didn't?  I don't think any parent should have to make those decisions. I hope someday the parent's who do... won't. 

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one 

 

Healthy and optimistic in Brighton,

~The Ascencio's~