Over the river and through the woods, to Kaiser Hospital we go…

I had to take Lucas to the Emergency room tonight.  I will tell the outcome now, as to not panic everyone and have to have you jump to the end of the story.  Stomach bug.  Prescription, lots of hugs from Mom, Pedialyte, and Mylicon (THANK GOD FOR PEDIALYTE AND MYLICON…I AM IMMEDIATELY BUYING STOCK IN THE COMPANIES).  Lucas was not feeling well the last couple of days, lots of crankiness, twisting and turning, and plenty Lucas’ most frequently visiting baby ailment – gas.  Or as we say around here; air, motorboat, puffs, or tooties.  Most of the time my step-sons keep the description old school with a battle cry yell of, “LUCAS FARTED!!”  My husband on the otherhand, who is Swiss, and for which English is not his first language will announce rather formerly in his deep voice and Swiss accent, “Meggan, Lucas has some air.”

These last few days Lucas has not only had air, but today he started with spitting up his bottle about one hour after eating.  We retreated home and after his afternoon nap, he woke up screaming.  Not crying, screaming.  He shoved away his toys and was just inconsolable.  I knew right then I had to take him in….to the ER.  It was 6:30p.m. Damn the pediatrician’s offices were closed.  I scooped him up and called my neighbor Jill and off the three of us went.  It wasn’t until half way to the hospital that I remembered that Jill has a fear of hospitals.  I immediately asked her if it was ok, she said it was fine as long as we don’t go to the ER.  I told her that is exactly where we were going.  Big deep breath from Jill and she decided she would be fine.  I amost cried for her when we pulled up to the hospital and there was a man carrying a woman into the ER.  I felt Jill tense up and she let out with a muffled, “OH DEAR.”  “Don’t worry”, I replied, as I diagnosed the woman from 100 feet away in the dark with my non-existant medical background; no blood – “broken foot.”  

So into the ER the three of us go.  Two of us feeling sick to our stomach, Lucas and now Jill.  Jill is very helpful, but not making any sudden moves as her eyes tear up and she sits perfectly still next to me.  Lucas is moaning a bit and squirming all over me.  Finally, they call us into the room where the nurses check you in.  As the nurses are cooing over Lucas, an emergency call comes from a nurse.  A female has passed out in the lobby!!  My first thought is Jill.  I ask the nurse to check on my friend, if she is not the woman laying on the ground unconscious, she is the woman sitting perfectly still not breathing in the cute track suit.  Either way she might need some checking in on.  Turns out it was a diabetic patient and Jill is fine, if you call being terrified and motionless fine.  She was being such a good friend and a wonderful and brave trooper!!!!

Lucas, even sick, charms the nurses.  “I swear he was crying”, I tell the nurses.  “Oh handsome boy”, “cutie pie” and when a sweet older Mexican nurse calls him “mijo”, we both melt.  I let out a sigh of relief, I felt that we were ALL going to be ok with “Nana” here. 

In the small non-descript room, I am holding Lucas, or trying to, as we do the waiting for the doctor dance.  Bounce, bounce, kiss on the cheek.  Bounce, bounce, look in the mirror with Lucas, smile, smile, kiss on check.  Kiss on cheek, give Lucas paper towel, Lucas throws towel on ground, coo in Lucas’ ear, whisper I love you, bounce, bounce.   Sit down on doctor’s stool and ride around the room, coo in Lucas’ ear, bounce, whisper I love you, bounce, bounce.  The dance Moms have done in wating rooms across the world.  No matter how long it takes, doesn’t it always seem to take forever?  We finally opened up the room door for a fresh horizon and scan of the hallway.  Nana came by for a smile, and the broken foot lady was wheeled in.  Not bad on my diagnosis, turns out I was right.

The doctor arrived and after a quick scan, check of the ears (which Lucas held still for) and stethoscope to the tummy the diagnosis was reached.  We quickly packed our things and went to see if Jill was admitted in our absence.  There she was sitting out in the hallway patiently, and very calmly waiting for us.

I gave Lucas the Pedialyte and Mylicon and he seemed to get instantly better.  He is sleeping now and I hope we both get some sleep tonight.  Tomorrow is a rest at home day and we are ready.

Tip for Moms – Mylicon is amazing.  We have tried other remedies for gas and this really worked for Lucas.

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