INTERESTING DAY AT THE ER

I got a call this morning early from my son's girlfriend saying he had a high fever, was throwing up, had a back ache, and a bad headache and had been sick for more than a day. I guess moms are the last to find out these things, once there is another woman in their son's life.

Since he had just recently gotten his own insurance, I knew he wouldn't have a regular doctor picked out yet, and also figured he wouldn't be able to get into his old one because of a change of carriers.

"Take him to emergency then," I said. I could only think it might be meningitis, and I didn't want any more time wasted going to a walk-in clinic. "And be sure you call me when he gets there so I know where he is," were my other instructions to her.

She called a short time later to say he couldn't find his wallet so couldn't find his insurance card or ID. "Just take him anyway, or should I come and get him?" Of course she didn't want me butting in--too much anyway. I knew they could always get any insurance info later.

About an hour later, she called to say he was in the hospital ER, so I left work then to go see him. I debated about walking there, since it was only a few blocks from where I worked. At the last minute, I decided to just drive there. Later, I couldn't help but wish I had walked.

The hospital emergency parking ramp is shared by radiology, and was already filled by 11 that day, so I had to drive all the way to the top to park. Then, the elevator was out of order, so I had to walk down. This wasn't that big of a deal, but I couldn't help but wonder about old or infirm people having to walk that far just to get either to emergency or the radiology department, and it seemed like every handicap spot was filled. But then it became a big deal when I stepped off the last step of the stairway and into the parking lot and didn't see another step down, so once again, down I go on both knees and twist my left ankle again, same as last summer!

So I'm sprawled out there in a heap, my purse having gone flying and the contents spilling all over the parking lot, and I'm trying to get my wits about me and assess what I might have done. The first thing I knew though was my ankle hurt badly and my clothes were dirty, but surprisingly not ripped. I was glad I had pants on that day or my knees would have been skinned up. As it was, one knee did have a scrape, although how that happened would be hard to explain, since my pants weren't even dirty on that knee.

I was so mad at myself! Furious in fact. All I could think of again was another injury! I managed to do this right next to the ambulance bay, so someone did see me and helped me up. I felt like a feeble old woman! They also helped me into the building, to the security, and suggested I fill out an accident report.

First, though, I wanted to check on Justin. After finding out where he was, and going back to check on him, I went back and filled out a report, and then they gave me a bracelet and scheduled me for an exam and x-rays. I said I wanted to stay in his room, and they could check with me there.

As it turned out, after they examined him, took blood work, etc., it was determined he had a bad case of the flu, and thankfully not meningitis or anything worse, and for me, just another ankle sprain.

We were at the hospital until 4:30 before they finally released him, after dispensing an anti-nausea drug, pain killers, and a tylenol prescription. I had gotten an ice pack, an 800 ibuprofen, and propped my foot up during those hours, so by the time I left I was pretty much okay.

I'll still have some soreness and discomfort for the next little while, but hopefully it will clear up before the race on Saturday.

Justin should be okay in a day or two as well. Only in my world could something like this happen, it seems!