The Update

I LOVE my pediatrician. The ER doctor made me promise to take Gabe to see either my pediatrician or his this morning, so I did. Gabriel was fine all night; although, he was still running a fever. Of course, that is reasonable, since I didn't give him any fever meds. He rested well, and woke up raring to go. He ran into his doctor's office and played with all her books and her computer while I told the tale. At the end, I asked her exactly what was particle pnuemonia (because the ER would not explain it to me). She said she'd never heard of that before, so we assume that it was only something to say so that I would consent to medicine and blood tests. So, of course, I had to know whether the those things were strictly necessary for particles in the lung. She said definately not, but that since he presented with a high fever she would have taken the same precaution. Well, isn't it nice that at least some doctors think it is worthwhile to explain things to their patients? It makes me much less inclined than I already was to trust a doctor's word. I'm not saying that I know better than they, or that their advice is not welcome: I would just appreciate the truth. All of it. I am capable of making good decisions if they would just inform me.

Anyway, maybe someone should have told me that it was the fever that was the main concern. I could have then said- well, everyone we know is getting sick. All three of my children have been sleeping extremely long nights and taking multiple naps during the day lately. Gabriel has actually been coughing at night. The fever is probably the result of a virus. Or maybe I could have asked... Could this significant a fever have developed from choking on a piece of cornbread for less than ten minutes? (Uhhhh, let me think about it...) I guess they assume that I am completely ignorant of sickness, infection, and my children's general health. I almost think that they believe I am completely ignorant period. Am I the only one? Is it because I look like a teenage mom or is that everyone's perception of physicians and medical staff?

My pediatrician agreed that it was probably viral (Gabe is snotty) and that the fever was elevated because of all the stress he was under when he was choking. She's checking the XRAYs to be sure there's nothing lodged in the lung that could abcess, and depending on what she finds, she'll see Gabe again before we go on vacation.

At any rate, God answered our prayers for safety and health for Gabriel. By the time the paramedics arrived it was not immediately appearant that he was still choking. He just sounded like he was weazing. When we got to the hospital, he was as pleasant and happy as could be. Now, let's pray that we find another trustworthy physician when we move!