Wednesday, March 21, 2007

A Day In The Life...

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a working mom is like? Well ... allow me to share!

Monday morning, at around 10:00, I was in a friends cube (in a different building at work) and I got a call from a strange person in my company. Evidently, my husband had been trying to track me down to tell me my son was ill and needed to be picked up from daycare.

Now, you need to understand ... my husband is a very calm, laid back kind of person, and for him to actively try to find me through out my workplace sent a wee bit of urgency through the message.

I got back to my desk and called Hunter's pediatrician, as this was the FIFTEENTH day in a row that we have battled some kind of fever, whether it was 99.9 or 104.7, and in this case, it was 104.5, and I insisted that they see him as soon as possible. I went and got him from day care, and the day care provider told me that all he wanted to do was lay in the playpen, and he moaned each time he moved. She had tried to give him water, and cool him down with a moist washcloth, but he didn't want to be touched, didn't want to drink, and didn't want to eat.

By the time I got him into the doctors office, waited ONE HOUR, and worried about my glowingly-bright-red-hot child, I was mad. Very.Mad. I hadn't been able to give him anything for his fever because I came straight from daycare, and I was very worried about him. And the doctor's office was taking forEVER. They finally took me back, gave me a cup of water (which he practically attacked and gulped down), and finally ... finally ... the doctor came to look at him. He presented symptoms of an infection, but his lungs sounded clear, and his ears were clear of infection. They proceeded to catheterize him (oh, my poor child) to get a urine sample, they swabbed his nose for a flu test, and confirmed that each test came back negative. The doctor said she was sending him to the hospital for a chest x-ray and some blood work (the only location that gives stat results), because she didn't know what was wrong with him, and if these two tests came back negative, they were calling in an infections disease specialist.

Now, I was starting to get just a wee bit anxious by this time. I had to take my sick child to the hospital ... alone. I don't know about you, but the mere thought of finding parking at our hospital is enough to scare anyone. In fact, they offer Valet Parking... that should tell you something! But as I waited in the drive-through line at Roy Rogers (it seems as if Sprite is the miracle cure-all), I prayed over my little boy, and prayed that we would have angels help us through everything he was getting ready to experience.

And lo and behold, as I pull up to the hospital, I find a parking spot in the front row! No, I'm not kidding... right in front of the door (thank you Lord). We were checked in right away (Praise God!), and we head back to get his blood drawn, which was done right away (Hallelujah!). Of course, I had to hold him down for the third time in one day, and he screamed his heart out, but I think he forgave me. Finally, the last test ... the most painless one of all ... the x-ray. And this, my friends, is where my son totally lost it. He'd had enough and had a melt down. It took two of us to hold him down. But this turned out to be the most critical of all tests, because it confirmed that he had pneumonia in his right lung. Praise God! Yes, praise God, because now we could treat him.

And, as if that wasn't enough, I had a message for me when I got home telling me that my strep throat culture came back positive. No wonder I was so wiped out and feeling cruddy!

Tuesday: Yes, there's more ... on Tuesday, our refrigerator was scheduled to be delivered (excellent way to clean out all the old stuff). So, they arrive early, and I rushed to empty the fridge with a child on my hip. They replace the old with the new, I signed off, and they left. Easy peasy. Except I have to put everything back in the fridge and freezer.

But all is well, because at this point, Hunter is fascinated enough that he's distracted from feeling bad and I'm able to put him down. I finish this chore in time to glance down and find that Hunter had gotten hold of three mini pancakes -- the frozen ones -- and was happily gnawing away at them. Evidently, he didn't notice that they were frozen solid and rock hard. Hey! It was what was keeping him happy, and he was actually eating! Whatever works! I'm not complaining! And if I had more energy, I may have sprinted for the camera ... but ... well ... naaah. We spent the rest of the day cuddling and both of us were feeling pretty sick and exhausted.

Anyway, even though all this happened, I know Hunter was in God's hands. My husband had called an army of people to begin praying for him, and our church e-prayer list was deployed. This child was bathed in prayer, and God reached down and touched and protected him. The funny thing is, that even though I have a ton of scriptures memorized, as well as a ton of worship songs in this old brain of mine, the only thing I could think to sing to Hunter all day long as I was pinning him down from one table to another was, "Jesus Loves Me." And it's true -- "...little ones to him belong, they are weak but He is strong."

So ... that's a day in the life of a working mom. And here I am, back at work while the grandparents watch Hunter.

Whew!! I'm exhausted! Can anyone tell me when the momma gets to be sick? Just wondering.

And for anyone that's a die-hard trivia lover ... did you know that Bobby Flay's wife is a former Law & Order: SVU actress Stephanie March -- just a bit of useless trivia I got from watching the Food Network.

13 comments:

Stacey said...

Oh Gibee, I'm so sorry to hear about your crazy couple of days! I hate having to take kids to the hospital!

When they did the ex-ray was it on one of those weird little bike seats where they strap them in sitting up? My oldest had that done a couple times and never liked it!

I'm praying that you'll all be feeling better soon!! As to when does the Mama get to be sick... unfortunately never :-)

kpjara said...

That's crazy-ness all right!

I hope you get to rest and breathe a bit today and that Hunter's doctor/hospital visits are done for the year!

Jennifer said...

oh, goodness! I can't imagine having to do the hospital thing by yourself; I know that's stressful!

Take care of yourself. And, the momma never gets to be sick. :-)

Susanne said...

Oh your poor little guy. I'm glad they finally found what was wrong. I hope both of you get lots of rest and just heal up quickly. Praying for you both!

loni said...

Please hop on over to Kelli in the Mirror's blog and wish her a very Happy Birthday!

http://gillysmama.blogspot.com/

I hope that you and Hunter are feeling much, much better very, very soon!

Heather Smith said...

Praying that Hunter and you both feel better soon!

Shalee said...

That is a crazy example of a working momma's day alright. And we're usually the one to take care of it all.

And my dear, disillusioned GiBee... We mothers haven't the pleasure of getting sick. And if for some reason you get sick despite the fact that I just told you that you aren't allowed to be sick for at least 18 years, you will find yourself doing things that you shouldn't be doing when sick. Like laundry, dinner or homework that doesn't stop just because you do.

Sad, isn't it?

Dads, on the other hand, get to be sick whenever they want because the world can go on a bit while they are down for the count.

I think I just decided to be the dad. It would be much easier in some ways. But then I would have to be the one who takes out the trash, smushes spiders and fixes stuff... Never mind. I'll be the mom, but I'm going to take some more vitamins.

Hope you BOTH feel better soon!

Donnetta said...

Oh my friend... I'm so sorry to hear how you have had to spend your last couple of days. I can relate 100% to having a very sick child on your hands... alone!

I'm praising God that the cause was found for both of you!!!Rest up and get better. That's not a request, that's a command. :-)

Ang said...

I hope that you and your lil one are feeling better soon :)

Frozen pancakes and waffles are actually very good "teethers"... my boy loved to naw away on them!! Then when they get yucky, you just cut that part off, and let them start again!!

Wretched Sinner said...

Another amazing example of the Lord answering our prayers. I'm glad you got it figured out, now you can treat it! I think Mrs Muskalungee is going to be calling you soon to see if we can help at all. See you Sunday!

Sandy said...

crazy, crazy
goodness!

best well wishes to all!

ps I love food network!

Carey said...

I hope your son is feeling better. I know how you feel. Ive been down this road quite a few times. I will never forget the feeling of having to take DD#2 to childrens hospital(by myself) because she was dehydrated. I had no idea wear i was going..i even got lost on the way.
i pray your son is feeling better(and that you are too). I pray you never have to go through something like that again.
I like the food network too. My son and I watch Emeril Live as i put him to sleep. He now connects the two..Emeril and bedtime...and he wants to cook just like him.

Laura said...

Gosh I'm feeling for you having a little guy the same age. I hope he is feeling well now and on the mend.

Laura