But she's the healthy one!

The kids are still out of town, at my parent's orchard. I got a call today from my mom, she took my youngest (daughter) in to the local hospital ER because she's been sick for a few days.

She's had a weird cyclical fever. Up for a couple hours and she was a sick little girl... then normal and she was perky. Mom was attributing the fever and behavior to homesickness and an emotional little girl missing her mommy and M.

I did caution Mom that I just tested positive for Strep and needed antibiotics - so I asked my mom to keep an eye on the fever and if it continued... tell any Dr. they see that my daughter has been exposed - and get her on antibiotics.

Well, a couple days later it turns out that indeed yes, my daughter also has Strep... but there's something more concerning as well. The ER Dr. told my mom that he could hear a significant heart murmur and that we need to have it checked ASAP.

Now, normally I wouldn't panic much about a murmur... I know enough about cardiac health to know that there's a baker's dozen of completely benign heart murmurs out there. My son was born with a couple heart issues - this wasn't new to me. I also know that Strep can be associated with heart issues. I also learned a great deal more about cardiology less than a year ago because my son wore a heart monitor to school for a month to rule out another heart issue.

Plus on the "M" Zen Daddy side of things... M's niece has had open heart surgery.Twice. She's a heart kiddo.

So... yeah. We know hearts, we've done the heart thing.

My daughter was checked for cardiac issues both in utero and at birth by a Perinatologist and a Pediatric Cardiologist. She was given a clean bill of health - no sign of the congenital cardiac issues or any other issues. The doctors basically pronounced her healthy and stated that it sure looked like my new little girl lucked out in the genetic lottery.

The problem is - I thought this baby was safe. I did not expect to be sideswiped by this from that particular child. She's the healthy one! It isn't supposed to happen this way - I don't panic when my son gets sick - mostly because I know I have to deal first and I can fall apart later when it's not an emergency. I've had practice with him... but not with her. It's not that I care differently about them or any sickness - I just wasn't prepared for this.

I guess that's the essence of parenthood, isn't it? It isn't the problems that you anticipate that get you, it's the sneaky problems that come out of nowhere and lay you out flat wondering what hit you.

I thought she was safe, and now I'm left wondering - and trying to not be emotional because my baby! Is far away! And sick! And needs me! And it could be bad! And it's my baby!

I'll put in a call tomorrow morning to our Pediatrician and get a stat referral for tests from the Cardiology Clinic at the local kid's hospital.

You better believe I am thanking my lucky stars right now that we have a Pediatrician... and a Pediatric Cardiologist... and a kid's hospital.

And I will cross every finger and toe I have - and light enough candles to light New York City for a month if I have to - to ensure that this is all just a great big silly misunderstanding and my "healthy" child is indeed my healthy child.

Comments

[wendy]

*hugs* I'm crossing fingers and toes for you, too.