September 8, 2012 4:13 PM
Maddy sick :(
My little girl is sick. Maddy called yesterday to see if she could come home to see a doctor as she was very ill with coughing. Matt picked her up at the Metro just in time to get her to an Urgent Care in Sterling before they closed at 8:00. They gave her an Rx and a referral for a chest x-ray. When Matt brought her home, I couldn't believe how terrible she looked - with sunken black eyes and droopy shoulders. This morning I decided to take her to the Emergency Room so we could get to the bottom of things - a costly decision since ER visits are 200. copay for us, but since that would be the only way we could get her X-rays read before Monday and bet her on the right meds - and since she couldn't bear the thought of missing school - it seemed the right thing.
I was very sorry too as this meant missing the baptism of our dear friends' grandson/son (friends with both grandparents and parents). Tripp, Matt and Jonny were the Curtis delegation while Maddy and I headed for the ER.
So glad we did. She does indeed have pneumonia. They gave her two units of IV fluids, including an anti-inflammatory and a new antibiotic. Also an abuterol treatment, which definitely helped her breathing/coughing.
Four hours that seemed to take forever, but well spent. now she is cuddled up on the couch, watching operas and old movies and drinking lots of water. The doctor says absolutely not to return to school until she sees a family doctor next week. Right now she doesn't have one, as she graduated from the pediatrician when she went off to college last year and hasn't really been sick since.
Did I mention that my new book deadline is 9/14 and that I planned to write all day today - especially as the Downzers went to Jill's House for the weekend and the house would be quiet and no demands? Oh, well. It just means I'll have to write faster and smarter.
I am actually within 5000 words of wrapping things up on the book, am very pleased with it so far (hope my editors are too :) - and already thinking of the next couple books I'd like to do if they'd like me to do them.
But kids always come first - and moms who write know that we do most of the thinking off keyboard so when we sit down, it's like turning on a tap. As Agatha Christie said, "The best time for planning a novel is while doing the dishes."
Please pray for Maddy. Anyone who knows her positive, upbeat self will understand how different it is for her to be laid low. And her summer was really a summer of sacrifice - from taking care of me with a broken leg 3000 miles from home to coming home and teaming up with Matt to care for their four brothers - and when I say caring for, I mean caring for in style!
More soon.
Comments
Barbara, So sorry to hear Maddy is so sick. I just wanted to share that our kids saw their pediatricians until they turned 20. You may want to check with your regular ped to see what their policy is. It would be so much nicer for her to see a doc she's familiar with than having to find a new one when she's sick. Praying for a quick recovery for Maddy!
Posted by: Stephanie | September 8, 2012 4:57 PM
I am praying for Maddy right now (and will keep it up :)
Posted by: Jen L. | September 8, 2012 5:03 PM
Hope she gets well soon!
Posted by: Kerri | September 8, 2012 5:45 PM
Your intuition was right, Maddy needed that x-ray ASAP! Of course, I will pray for her and am still praying for your total healing too...and will add the book deadline.
I hope at some point you will do a cookbook for large families. Others (like me) could use it when we have family gatherings or a crowd.
Posted by: Judy | September 8, 2012 7:43 PM
I second the big family cookbook idea. There's not much of a market, but those of us who are fielding big teams could use the help!
Posted by: Sue | September 8, 2012 10:52 PM
So tough to be sick with college classes on the brain. I will pray for Maddy, and for your book!
Posted by: Lisa | September 9, 2012 3:20 PM
praying she heals well and that you wrap up the book, all neat and tidy........and of course they will like the book!!
Posted by: von | September 10, 2012 12:00 AM
So sorry, and praying! Our pediatrician also saw the kids thru the college years, and mentioned that they will see the young men to age 23. We have had more than a few occasions to take them up on the offer - not "well-child" visits, but usually sports injuries or these unexpected illnesses. I know some peds will kick you out as you graduate high school, but if you can put off the "exit paperwork", it is handy.
Posted by: Kate J | September 10, 2012 10:40 AM
Barbara, please know I'm praying for Maddy. May it be the Lord's will that she makes a full and speedy recovery. While $200 certainly is large amount of money to spend for a trip to the hospital, I am so thankful your family has health insurance so the bill wasn't even larger!
I only recently found your website and want to thank you for it. You do a beautiful job of ministering to us women who are doing our best to live out our God-given roles as wives and mothers. I so regret the years I spent living a worldly life before the Lord opened my heart to humbly and gratefully accept my rightful role as a submissive wife and stay at home mom. You website appeals to me so much because you so freely share of the years of your life you lived in sin without God, and how you have used that experience to witness to and serve others. I hope to someday be able to do the same.
I am also the mother of a (very!) large family and have children with special needs and disabilities. All more reasons I am grateful to have found your internet presence.
May the Lord continue to bless you and your family and bring healing to Maddy.
Posted by: Sarah | September 10, 2012 5:23 PM
