Monday, June 16, 2008

Of headaches, family reunions, and Paradise

It's been a busy summer thus far and we're still in its infancy. A couple of weeks ago, just as school got out, A got the worst headache he's ever had (at 10:30 p.m.). I decided to take him to urgent care - he got sick in the car - and when we got there he was in desperate, screaming pain. After some meds to calm his stomach and ease his pain, the lovely Dr. Mike told me that he felt A needed to have a CAT scan to check for brain bleeding or tumors. NOW. So I took A to the hospital where another lovely Dr. took great care of us. A actually slept through the scan which was short. His brain came out looking perfect (thank Goddess) and we were sent home with a migraine diagnosis and some meds to have in our migraine "toolkit."

The whole experience was interesting for me in many ways. I was alone with A in the middle of the night and the Drs were so kind and compassinate. It is much different being a patient vs. being mama. As a patient, the Dr always is introduced as Dr. last name. As a mama, they were both Dr. first name. As a patient, there is always suspision, especially as someone who needs pain meds to exist in the world. Often, you are treated as med seeking. As a mama, especially on your own, you are supported and treated with care. The whole experience, while scary and stressful, gave me hope in the medical profession.

And A is doing fine and better.

I promised family reunions and Paradise but, alas, dinner time is here and it will have to wait.

Peace

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