My son stepped on a pen the other day and the tip punctured his heel. Don’t ask me how he did this; the kid’s got talent.
As with most minor injuries that occur within a large family, we slapped a band-aid on it and called it good. Unfortunately his courage alone was not enough to fight the infection. Within a day and a half the itty-bitty poke mark became swollen, red, and hot to the touch, and my son started hobbling about like a pintsized soldier.
My husband issued the dreaded edict: “It’s time to take him in.”
I am less than fond of dragging five kids to the clinic and hanging out there for an hour, and I hate paying $20.00 to have the doctor tell me what I should have known to do on my own.
Which was: Soak the wound so the infection can drain.
He also gave us a prescription for some antibiotics just in case. “It’s at the point now, Mom,” he cautioned, “Where it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
I nodded my head to his advice while trying to keep my 3-year-old off the table and out of his box of tools. (She saw candy there. She was on a mission.) I smiled and kept nodding as she loudly informed him, “ I want a sucker.” Strike that: I smiled and tried not to die from embarrassment. I smiled and nodded as the pediatrician continued to talk, while keeping one eye on Angela and the other on my son, who was struggling to pull his boot onto his sore foot.
Leaning over to assist him, I continued to nod because the doctor continued to talk. “Do this; keep an eye on that; if this happens you should blah…blah…blah…”
And at that point the doctor said, “Mom? Will you look at me?”
Another smile. Another humble moment. Isn’t this just the story of our life? What a challenge it is for us moms to stay on top of things—pen wounds and doctors platitudes included! While I realized that the pediatrician just needed to make sure that I was listening—and that his advice was important—I couldn’t help but stifle a laugh as I thought, “I’ve got three kids in this little office right now…
“And one of them has a mustache!”
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
LOL, I can soo relate. I just brought my 3 yr old to the doctor with my 21 month old tagging along. What a circus! Our diagnosis was a double ear infection and a case of OUT OF CONTROL toddler syndrome. To top off this wonderful experience, my 3 yr old barfed on the carpet my the receptionists desk as I was chasing the toddler down the hall.
I have come to see that God gave me children to keep me humble. So so humble.
I’m cracking up and feeling a litte icky at the same time. He actually said that?! Eeeeew!!
Heather: he’s neither my regular nor my favored pediatrician! Sometimes we have to take what we can get, though.
Jen: I don’t feel so bad now! You poor dear.
Heather beat me to the punch – I was going to comment that it was more than a little condescending to be calling you “Mom.” I am all about trying to remain humble and focused, but he couldn’t have called you “Mrs. So and So”? Or even Margaret?
I’ve gone to most of my OB appts with one or more of the other children in tow, and I still manage to glean the info I need from my doc.
Wow – that came out more “ranty” than I thought it would. Sorry! 🙂
(PS: and my husband is a family doc who sees lots of little patients and their siblings and their parents and their grandparents, et al. It’s hard to address a person when the whole village is present, but it’s possible!)
just a note on the usage of “mom” from a pediatrician standpoint…I agree that it’s probably not the most flattering to mothers in stable families who share the same last name as their children. Unfortunately, I have gotten into this habit as well because 90% of the time you have no idea whether the mother shares the child’s last name. Today’s “families” are so complicated and dysfunctional, sometimes using “mom” seems to be the least awkward path to take.
Good grief! What happened to doctors bedside manners? And yes, one of the “kiddies” most definatly has a mustache! I would have wanted to cry right there in the office. You are so awesome taking it all in stride. I loathe the peds office, and was ever so grateful that since we’ve had to be in that office four times in the past two weeks that my husband was home for one of those weeks and I only had to take in the patients, not the whole clan. I hope your son’s foot gets better!
I don’t like it when doctors/dentists/nurses refer to me as “Mom.”
For that matter, I don’t like it when my husband does, either.
I am not any of their mothers!
I’m proud to be “Mom” to my children, and if their friends felt like they wanted to call me “Mom” I’d feel honored–but not adult professionals.
If Mom’s last name is different from the child’s, it’s easy enough to note that on the cover of the medical chart.
Margaret,
Thank you for comment. Having my own blog is a fun new adventure. Its harder than I thought. I’m not very tech savvy with inserting photos or links but I’ll get it someday. I love your blog and check it daily. You make me smile lots. Happy Epiphany tomorrow.
Dana
Lol!!! Oh my gosh, I about spit out my mocha all over my computer – think I may have sent the bill to your er, not-so-subtle-doc!!!
Yeah, I CANNOT believe he said that to you! Sheesh. Bet he doesn’t have any kids. Or, maybe he does. His poor wife.
Man, funny story!
Wow, I can relate. Dr.s appointments always make me terribly nervous and I feel I am being judged continually. God bless your beautiful light heartedness! I will be carrying this experience of yours to our next “encounter”…..if only to keep me smiling!
My answer, with a bright smile, would have been, “Of course, dear, as soon as you stop interrupting me and wait your turn.”
🙂