Thursday, May 13, 2010

Munchhausen Much?


I wonder what the receptionists thought as I walked out the pediatrician’s office today.

Perhaps, “We’ll see her again in a week!”

Or, “She’s not going to have another child, is she?”

Or, “Hmmm. Munchhausen?”

Or most likely, “Hey, pull her file from the family doctor and see if that woman gets to take any anxiety medication!”

Well, whatever. Think what they must, but I simply cannot resist taking Parker in for an ear infection check about once a month.

And…he almost never has an ear infection.

But, you’ve got to believe me! He had diarrhea (VERY unusual for my constipated little bub), he was tired and falling asleep EARLY (again, VERY unusual for my little maniac), and pulling on a red ear and saying, “Urt!” People without children, keep up, “urt” means “hurt,” and details of bowel movements are mandatory in toddler world.

So, I had to take him in. Just to make sure. This is what I say every time. For crying out loud, can’t they just donate one of their ear-looky things to me to keep at home and give me the quick low down on spotting an ear infection??? (With technical language like that, how could you ever doubt my medical skilz?)

The doctor is so nice. She always agrees with me, “Yes, yes, just to make sure, especially before the weekend.”

Then we leave. After Parker shouts “Tank you!” to everyone with a smile on his happy and healthy face. He terrorizes the waiting room play area a bit, shows a waiting patient his McQueen car, and shouts, “Bye!” And off we go. With no explanation for the diarrhea, tiredness, and pulling of the ear. Except, maybe it’s teething, maybe it’s a gassy tummy, maybe a growth spurt, maybe he’s just friggin’ tired and felt like pulling his ear a bit. Who the heck knows.

Maybe they should just pencil in a monthly appointment for me. Set up a VIP section. Offer champagne and dispense Xanax. Our doctor playdate.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I think as mothers we tend to overworry a bit. I'm always worried something's wrong...it never is, but I worry anyway.

Oddyoddyo13 said...

Hey, its nice to know you care and pay attention at least. :) Just glad he's healthy.

WarsawMommy said...

Urgh. I hate when the boys are sick all over the place at home (and all through the f'ing night), but fit as fiddles once face-to-face with the doctor.

I swear they do it on purpose.

Shell said...

I used to never take my kids in. But, last winter, I had at least one sick kid every week. We pretty much had an appointment every Wednesday for 3 months. All I had to do was say "Hi, Michelle" to the receptionist when I would call and she would crack up and say "Which one of your kids is it now?"

They thanked me for singlehandedly paying all their bills last year. LOL

Thanks for visiting me on my SITS day on Monday!

Timena said...

Oh they didn't use the "it's probably a virus" line on you? I get that one a lot when my kids were younger. Hated it.

Actuary Mom said...

Funny! I would be in there every month too, except I have a high deductible plan and wouldn't be able to afford the visits!

Anonymous said...

I have given up caring what Dr.'s think. A couple of weeks ago Gabe had been crying for 5 hours straight with no other symptoms (not like him). When I called the Dr.'s office at noon they said to come in the next day if he had a rough night. After another hour of crying, I called back and got him in right away. He ended up having an ear infection. I can't imagine the night we would have had if I had waited.

Sarah

Kristy @Loveandblasphemy said...

As an update everyone, Parker's diarrhea has now started again, and they are calling it "a stomach bug that has been going around." Hopefully it doesn't last long! (because, you know kids are so much fun when they're sick)

Naomi said...

Found you from your comment on my blog from FYBF.. and couldn't be happier to find another Mum who blogs, laughs, drinks wine! Lovely to be here, I'll be back.

Jamie said...

I can definitely relate. *lol* I'm glad that more often than not he does not have a ear infection.

Thank you for stopping by and making my SITS day so awesome! :)

Gillian Behnke said...

Never care what they think, it's your kid not theirs! THEY won't have to deal with the at home aftermath if he doesn't get diagnosed properly! Hope he feels better soon. :(

Theta Mom said...

Girl - I so get you and this post. My son was a very sick baby and I was also at the office every five days.

Very annoying and I felt like I had a part-time gig there - but at least they are healhty, right?

Cynthia said...

This is cute. Better safe than sorry I say ;^) Glad your son wasn't sick!

Just hopped over from SITS and wanted to wish you a Happy Saturday! I LOVE the header of your blog and agree wholeheartedly about the mothers sharing, laughing and drinking wine part. Great stuff. Looking forward to reading a bit more!

Jeannie, Jane, Angel, Mommy, etc.. said...

Thanks for stopping by! I am SO glad that I am not alone in the whole wondering if my child has an ear infection. Mind you, I have not taken her to the Dr becuase she HATES the Dr. due to her transplant. I am now a firm believer of the whole "wait and see" unless it is right before the weekend.

I am SO a new follower. I love reading other toddler issues so that I, like you, do not feel alone.

Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit said...

Love it!! Definitely get that VIP thing happening with the champagne.

Lacie @ Creative Attempts said...

i would much rather be the paranoid mom than the mom that missed something huge that could have been prevented :) i say keep it up!

Wanderlust said...

Hmmm, I think it's become like a Pavlov's response. He pulls on his ear and he ends up with a sticker from the doctor's office.