It’s funny how just speaking about a subject makes it happen. I suppose that is why people often scan the room for some wood to knock as they are about to share some information. Well, it would seem that I should have been knocking on wood with one hand and typing with the other as I was posting the blog from last week about going to the Doctors. You see, I write this from my son’s hospital room.
Child presents with tummy bug which does NOT warrant a trip to the doc. There is no point in dragging a bucket carrying and pull-up wearing kid around town just to be told to try to get some fluids into him. But, as days progressed and he worsened, it was clear that the time had come. Besides, it was Friday afternoon at that point, so it was time to act. Everyone knows the medical system irrationally thinks people don’t need health care on weekends. Medical services aside, I’m currently suffering through no cable, no wireless Internet, and the shop that sells the celeb gossip mags is also closed. Why did his hospital stay have to happen over a weekend? Who is going to care for the care-giver??
Our doc closes up shop at noon on Fridays, so first stop was the drop-in clinic. I was instructed to head straight to the emergency room: do not pass go, do not collect $500.00. Number One Son was admitted so we needed some supplies from home, namely a change of clothes for me and a Nintendo DS for him. Daddy-o had four kiddos to put to bed so I did a quick inventory of my support network. One sister just left for overseas; other sister, SIL, and mother enjoying time at our cottage. Have I mentioned that our family cottage has no electricity or cell phone reception? No fancy city-folk cottaging for us. While we enjoy the peace and screen-free lifestyle, it does not come without some inconvenience especially at times like this. I phoned my 92-year-old Grandma who is a bit past running errands for me, but it was good to hear the voice of someone on my team. She readily provided moral support but also dashed any hope of being able to turn to my “Plan B” team of supporters. The Williamson family (the cousins who keep getting married) were all up at their cottage enjoying the weekend. More evidence that weekends are not the time to have a sick child. Needless to say, a nice taxi cab driver arrived at the emergency room with our supplies!
Why does saying something out loud turn into a mama’s nightmare? We’ve all experienced it – as soon as you start telling people your baby is sleeping through the night, it’s back to three hourly feeds. You mention to the daycare worker that your two-year-old is fully toilet trained and suddenly you’re back to several accidents a day. Even whispering “I have not had a cold yet this season” is enough to warrant immediate intake of Vitamin C and Cold FX.
So, the lesson is clear. Don’t say anything out loud since it makes bad things happen to good mamas. Pass the wood, I’m gonna start knocking.
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Julie, that sounds like a horrible ordeal. I hope that Number One Son is recovered (or recovering nicely) and that this experience is just a foggy memory in a few short days.
Good thing Daddy-O was home to handle the remaining offspring. Clever thinking with enlisting the taxi cab driver!
So glad he’s okay now! What a weekend to have a sick child – when everyone’s away.
Same here julie. Happy to hear he’s doing better.
Hello!!!!! Why am I not on your list?
Beth – if you think I’m going to call you on the ONE weekend you have to yourself FORGET it!
Besides, the taxi thing was a great idea!
Thanks for all the well wishes!