Except we were allowed free to go to the dr. yesterday. We thought we'd beaten this...this "thing" that's had us in its clutches on and off for a couple of weeks, but yesterday morning when several of them woke up with fevers and sounding like a seal begging for its sardine, I realized it was Time. Time to call and talk the dr's office into fitting us all in.
After a back and forth on the phone with the receptionist speaking with various nurses to see if they could fit in 8 children, and in between me making phonecalls to cancel Abigail's physical therapy session and all of their piano/voice lessons, we got it all straightened out. Believe it or not, Brett was actually able to accompany me to the dr, but we did drive separately because his flight left out and the dr's office is kind of by the airport. So that was a big help, because they were able to split up the children in different rooms and they like to have a parent in each room. Turns out we needed three rooms but they were all next to each other.
The waiting room had toys. Toys for young children. But since everyone wasn't well, it's about all their brains could handle anyway. Nate and Jud played teacher. Abigail felt too sick to even join in.
There was a man in the waiting room who kept wanting to give the children a toy that he'd found out in the parking lot (we saw it on the way in). Politeness didn't work, and when he actually came and sat right next to them and asked them to show him how to play the game, Brett told him to go back and sit where he had been before or he'd have to get security to help him leave.
This kind of thing happens frequently and I'll never get used to it. Now that our non-ambulatory children have grown up we tend to be a little less noticeable so it doesn't happen nearly as often as it used to. The children take it in stride, but it never ceases to freak me out. We've had some odd stuff happen. Remind me to tell you the story about the woman in the Hobby Lobby parking lot who clawed at my window and screamed at me because I wouldn't let her buy things for my children. She followed me out from the checkout line, yelling the whole time about how she was just trying to be nice, then tried to grab the door as we were piling in and I was yelling to the kids "LOCK THE DOORS! NOW!" Oh, Amy would remember, she had just gotten her permit and was the driver so the woman was trying to get the driver's door open.
Well, I guess I just did tell you the story.
But, I digress.
We spent the better part of 3 hours total, which included lots of breathing treatments for the children to test their lung capacity. I'm guessing.
Abigail wore her sweater with the long arms (it's her favorite). Although when she was younger I'd always alter her clothes to prevent "sleeve flop" (I imagine things like getting her sleeve caught in a car door and the car driving away, or some other misfortune that only mothers imagine), now that she's older I let her choose if she wants her sleeves altered. Usually she does not. This can result in amusing incidents, such as after the nurse took her temperature (102.8) the nurse said "Now I have to take your blood pressure." Abigail pushed up one of her pant legs. The nurse said "Are you chilled?" Abbi said no. The nurse said "Can you just take one of your arms out of your sweater so I can take your blood pressure?"
Abigail: I don't have any.
Nurse (not really comprehending): I just need you to take one of your arms out for just a couple minutes.
Abigail: Can you just take it on my leg?
Nurse: We take blood pressures on arms.
Abigail: I don't have any.
Nurse: (looking at me) She doesn't?
Me: (having let the conversation go on this far for two reasons: #1-- Abigail needs to learn to speak up for herself which she doesn't like to do but needs to. #2-- I find it amusing) No, she doesn't have any, she just needs the smaller pressure cuff and you can take it on her leg.
Finally, all was said, done. Gideon needed breathing treatments at home twice a day, and since I'm still not feeling the greatest (yes, I'm that dull, and knew I'd never remember all the steps), and the nurse was trying to explain the machine and how to put the medicine in So I took a video of her demonstration with my iPhone. Handy things!
Should I say, "Thank goodness for insurance"? I think I will.
And you can see how pleased Gideon is to do his treatments. At least he's cooperative.
Our goats don't vacation just because we're sick, and we had another kid born. We're keeping her in the house until it warms up a bit outside. Gideon feels much better this morning, so wanted to feed her.
Yes, that's a diaper she's wearing. I've cleaned up enough animal (and human) excrement in my day. She's very sweet and makes a nice house pet for awhile.
And Isaiah wanted to see "if it was still cold out" today. It is.
Stay warm, everyone!