The Parent In The ER
a parody of pediatric medicine
The sun did not shine during our hospital stay. So we sat in that room for most of our day.
I sat with my mini. We sat there, we two. And I said,”How I wish there were answers we knew.”
Too sick to go out or even have water. So we sat in that room without windows or fodder.
There, all we could do was to just Sit. Sit. Sit. Sit. And we didn’t like it. Not one freaking bit.
Then something went BUMP! We perked up from our slump.
A doctor and a nurse came in where we sat! When we first saw them, I wanted to clap! The doctor said, “Hi, tell me, where does it hurt? Have you felt nauseous, do you think you may hurl? “
“I know you can’t eat and that is not funny.” “We’ll run lots of tests since you don’t feel sunny.”
“Now! Now! Have no fear while you’re here!” said the Doc. “Our team is here, ready, to work ‘round the clock!” “Your mother won’t mind; she wants healthcare for you!” And so, that is what we decided to do.
Then we saw several doctors and tried not to feel down. As we moved through the testing in a grey, scratchy gown. They had many guesses each worse than the other. Feeling overwhelmed with data can be hard for the mother.
Impulsively, I posted from a place of unknown fears. And surely, it caused unnecessary tears.
My belly was empty, and blood sugars were low, my cognitive functions, exceedingly slow. If only I could rescind that, knee-jerky, “YO!”
And in the end, we left as we had arrived. A kid with a bellyache, and no idea why. Five days of vague illness with sharp stomach pains, two doctor’s office visits to research those complaints.
The doctor directed us to the emergency room, for concerns, something terrible was beginning to bloom.
Thankfully, no surgeons asked us to stay. So we could pack up and be on our way. After many hours of tests and dehydrated rest the IV fluids were truly the best! We went home at the end of the nine-hour stay, with instructions to limit activities and play.
Now, what should we think then? What would you do? When doctors can only assume, that it’s likely stomach flu.
Originally published at https://lauraphoenix.com on February 25, 2020.