Yesterday was spent at the clinic, Johnny had a 102.7 fever -- but he wasn't admitted! WOO HOO! He actually started running a fever at dinner on Tuesday night, but I was not about to take him to the emergency room. I was pretty confident that he was coming down with a cold, Joey started it on Saturday/Sunday, no fever just a cough and runny nose, so I knew it was only a matter of time before Johnny got it too. Unfortunately, what would be just a common summer cold to you and me, can be potentially dangerous to kids on chemo.
Mike wanted me to take Johnny in on Tuesday night, but today is Mikey's birthday and Sunday is Johnny's birthday. I knew if we went to the emergency room Johnny would be admitted and it seems like we are usually in for at least 5 days. I didn't want either of the boys to spend their birthday's in the hospital. I took Johnny in first thing Wednesday morning, before we left his temp was 99.1, so I figured that he would be fine the rest of the day. When we got to the clinic an hour later, he spiked a fever of 102.7! YIKES!
The doctors ordered a chest xray to make sure it wasn't pneumonia (it wasn't), gave him a dose of heavy duty antibiotics and sent us home about 3pm. They seem to think it's viral -- WHEW! One of our doctor's stopped by to see how he was doing and told me that ANY time Johnny runs a temp., I HAVE to bring him in -- no matter what time of day. By waiting until the next day, I am taking a calculated risk. I told her that the nurses in the emergency room are completely inept when it comes to taking care of kids with cancer. The past few times we went there, we had the same nurse who had NO IDEA how to access his port -- I know he doesn't have one NOW -- but that's not the point. I just don't feel confident with the nursing care in the ER. Don't get me wrong, the nurses totally ROCK when it comes to broken arms and trauma -- but cancer kids -- not so much. The doctors are great, and I'm sure the nurses are too, but I guess we just get spoiled with the staff in the clinic. EVERYONE gets a vein on the first try, they know each kids favorite drink, game, and food. They see your name on the board and come and look for you even if your not their patient that day, and then continually check to see if you need anything.
Anyway, next time Johnny is sick I will probably take him to the ER, as long as he is showing signs of other ailments... Our doctor was right though, you can't guess what is going on, it could be a fast acting bacterial infection or something.
We are home now, Johnny is doing well and Mike's mom is coming over tonight so we can go out to dinner!
2 comments:
Happy Birthday MIKE! I won't call and subject him to my bad birthday singing, but know I am singing the birthday song in my head for him. One year ago at his surprise party I started losing my hair, it seems like forever ago. : )
Have a GREAT day. Love you all,
Kathleen, the artist formerly known as KiKi!
Jules - You should be running the ER! You'd whip everyone into shape in no time. I hope Johnny and Joey are feeling better soon. Good to hear you didn't have to stay overnight at the hospital.
RR
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