Last night, Larien began whining that her head hurt. After some questioning by both Phill and I she pointed to the exact place--on the right side just above her ear. Upon closer examination we discovered a small, pus filled lesion. We poked and prodded further (he is a pediatrician, although quite specialized) to find that the lymph node behind her ear was enlarged. The consensus was that a trip to the pediatrician was needed for probably antibiotics.
A call this morning got us an appointment at 10:40am. Because my mother-in-law is here and because T was coming to help out with Finwe, I was able to take just Larien without the other two in tow. While Larien wasn't thrilled about going to the doctor (last time she had to watch Inwe get shots), she was happy to be with just me. On the way there I explained what was going to happen and that she was probably going to have to get medicine. "Oh, the doctor will give me medicine?"
That question led to this exchange:
"No, the doctor will determine if you need to have some antibiotics. The pharmacist will give us the antibiotics."
"I don't know what antibiotics are."
"They are medicine to get rid of the bacteria that are living on the side of your head."
"Makes my head hurt."
"Yes, and when the bacteria are gone your head won't hurt anymore."
"I don't know what a pharmacist is."
After I choked on the water I was drinking (she's not three yet!!! and she's following a thread from a few minutes prior!), I replied, "A pharmacist is a person who puts medicine in a bottle."
"And will I need the medicine?"
"Probably."
"I'll let the doctor look at me. MmmHmm. I will." These last few sentences were said with a nodding head and wide eyes.
She did really well at the doctor's visit. She answered the questions about where it hurt and told the doctor (for all of four weeks! Oh, new residents, but she was fine.) she needed medicine. The attending (for all of four weeks! Oh, new pediatricians, but he was fine. He knew whose wife I was.) concurred with the resident. Larien has cellulitis.
A quick aside: The attending physician warned me about the resistant strain of staph. aureas. "As long as she doesn't have the resistant strain the Keflex should work. How many times has she been on antibiotics, probably six?" I looked at him, a bit perplexed, "Uh, no. She's been on them once." Now it was his turn to look perplexed, "In her whole life?" I nodded, "Yes, just once." He made a short hmph sound and finished up, "She should be fine, then."
With prescription in hand, I called Phill to see if he wanted to do lunch as we were right there. He jumped at the chance. The three of us enjoyed a nice lunch where we talked and laughed. Larien was lapping it up. She was giggly. She ate well. She told Phill all about the doctor's appointment and the bug she made while she was waiting. All of us had a good time.
How big is Larien now? She weighs 14.2 kg or 31.24 pounds. She is 37 inches tall. On growth charts--she's average for other 34 month old girls.
5 comments:
Glad to hear she's on the road to recovery. Having a dr in the family has its benefits, as I've learned this past week with all my adventures in the emergency room. SOME "new doctors" (in this case, a second-year resident, but only by four weeks) can be trusted. And it seems to get you seen more quickly when you share a last name with someone employed by the hospital!
Man...you all have some nice kids!
I hope she has a speedy recovery. I know the time alone with mommy and daddy was good medicine too. Next time she can tell the doctor exactly what medicine she needs -- there's no doubt she'll remember it!
Her conversation skills are brilliant! Wow!
I recently read an article in Time magazine about a staph infection that can be transmitted by physical contact. I hope this is not case with Larien. Keep me posted. Her alone time with mom and dad was probably the best medicine. It must be tough being the middle child.
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