DISQUS

Noodad: noodad » Surviving the Emergency Room

  • o.c.designer · 3 years ago
    In 19 months of being a noodad, I\'ve visited the E.R. several times. Each time was due to a high fever (100.9+). My wife and I were very fortunate to have been given Medicaid while she was pregnant with my son, and therefore he still retains Medicaid to this day. Because of this, doctor visits and/or trips to the E.R. were/are completely covered free of out-of-pocket expenses, so if there was any worry with my son\'s fever, we made the trip to the E.R./pediatrician.
    Yes, the E.R. doctors always implied that I either came too early, or didn\'t come soon enough, but regardless, each trip resulted in my son\'s good health only days later.
    I guess my point is to re-itterate what Noodad said: do not hesitate taking your kid to the emergency room if you are the least bit worried. It\'s always better to be safe than sorry!
  • harry · 3 years ago
    I totally agree with bribing the hell out of your kid in this situation. They are poked and prodded more times than we can imagine by every possible person (triage nurse, ER nurse, ER resident, and ER attending for a small sampling), so it\'s key to get their utmost cooperation each time. Throw the parenting 101 \"I will never stoop to bribery with my child\" mantra out the window and get creative. If the ice cream works, use it, if it takes a trip to the toy store, use it and just hope they forget about it later.
    And don\'t forget cash for the parking garage! Even after the ER stamps your little parking ticket, they rob you blind at the garage.
    Good luck and remember to listen and take a breath every now and then. WIth all the theories they can throw at you as to why your child has the symptoms they have, you can easily get caught up in the drama and what ifs.