Anne TootillTo Be or Not to Be a Mother -Part Three
January 29th 2007 19:08
Every time we went to the pediatrician we waited at least 2 hours to be seen. Two hours of trying to get Josh to cooperate around all those other kids. While holding and amusing baby Alex. While trying not to freak out in front of all those other women (I was so frustrated when I couldn’t get Josh to notice, let alone listen to me) who were obviously more emotionally stable and better moms. Left me feeling depressed and exhausted.
And my kids were always sick. So we were always there (in six months the doctor had presented me with a 2 page computer print-out of our visits).
I guess you’re thinking, “why didn’t she just pick a doctor who had a shorter wait time. You see my sister, who everyone in the family agreed, was the model mother, told me that this pediatrician was the best. And since I’d screwed my children up enough already how could I deny them the best care possible? So I did what I had to do. I waited and waited and waited and…
This time Josh had a temperature of 103. Which sounds really high, but his fever always spiked whenever he got sick, even if he just had a bad cold. And according to the good doctor, while a high fever should be of concern, it’s how the child is acting that puts the severity of the illness into perspective. Like was he lethargic? Did he lose his appetite?
And in Josh’s case he could have a high fever and still be racing around gobbling up his meals and playing with his toys. And this time was no different. What concerned me was the way he was breathing. Fast and shallow. His chest seemed to be caving in. But the doctor assured me that a high fever could cause this and not to worry. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to bring him back if he appeared to get sicker.
I took the kids home. Made dinner. Fed them and watched Josh run around play. He didn't appear to be in distress but something I couldn't get rid of that feeling of dread. Something wasn't right.
And my kids were always sick. So we were always there (in six months the doctor had presented me with a 2 page computer print-out of our visits).
I guess you’re thinking, “why didn’t she just pick a doctor who had a shorter wait time. You see my sister, who everyone in the family agreed, was the model mother, told me that this pediatrician was the best. And since I’d screwed my children up enough already how could I deny them the best care possible? So I did what I had to do. I waited and waited and waited and…
This time Josh had a temperature of 103. Which sounds really high, but his fever always spiked whenever he got sick, even if he just had a bad cold. And according to the good doctor, while a high fever should be of concern, it’s how the child is acting that puts the severity of the illness into perspective. Like was he lethargic? Did he lose his appetite?
And in Josh’s case he could have a high fever and still be racing around gobbling up his meals and playing with his toys. And this time was no different. What concerned me was the way he was breathing. Fast and shallow. His chest seemed to be caving in. But the doctor assured me that a high fever could cause this and not to worry. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to bring him back if he appeared to get sicker.
I took the kids home. Made dinner. Fed them and watched Josh run around play. He didn't appear to be in distress but something I couldn't get rid of that feeling of dread. Something wasn't right.
| 36 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
