When most people think of the Fourth of July – especially when it falls on or around a weekend – they think of barbeques, weekend getaways, and fireworks. The same can’t be said for my wife’s family. For them, the Fourth of July usually means a trip to the hospital. It’s not because they’re irresponsible with fireworks or party too hard at a family picnic. It’s a matter of happenstance.
Last year, my mother-in-law slipped a disc in her back, pinching a nerve and causing discomfort that I can’t begin to fathom. This year, it was my wife’s turn. Amy earned herself a 4-day stay at St. John’s Mercy Hospital for a Fourth of July we won’t soon forget.
The week leading up to our nation’s birthday, Amy developed a fever and a nasty habit of going from the chills to overheating. We first took her temperature on Tuesday, and while she did have a fever, it wasn’t high enough to warrant an unscheduled visit to her OB/GYN. Because her department was working through a quarterly rebalance, Amy wouldn’t call in sick to work. Fortunately, her supervisor sent her home earlier than expected on multiple occasions.
The fight between the chills and the sweats continued throughout Wednesday, and on Thursday Amy awoke with a toasty fever of 102°. I was finally able to convince her to call in sick, and after a call to the doctor later that afternoon when her fever persisted, we were told to proceed to the hospital so they could run some tests and diagnose her.
Hours later, it was determined that the cause of Amy’s discomfort was a bladder infection. Later on that weekend, we found out that her kidneys were also infected. What we thought would be a quick trip for a prescription of antibiotic(s), fluids, and plenty of rest turned into an overnight stay. On Friday, we were told that the common treatment required 48-hours of the antibiotic. Later that evening, we were told that all would be well 24 hours after her fever last broke. Come Saturday morning, we were told that the doctor wanted to keep her an extra 24 hours to ensure that the infection had run its course.
Come Sunday, we were both mentally and physically exhausted. Amy spent the weekend with an IV in her arm, connected to a pump that regulated the amount of fluid she would receive and the speed at which it would be delivered. While I almost never left her side, that pump was her BFF (for the weekend). Amy and Baby B are both doing well and our lives are back to business as usual.
Through all of this, and thanks to Wi-Fi, our wireless phones and a laptop, I was able to let friends know that we wouldn’t be able to make it to the weekend’s festivities using Facebook, Twitter, and e-mail. I kept our family members up to speed and directed visitors to our room with phone calls and text messages. I even took pictures of the flowers Amy received, her new friend the IV pump, and the fireworks we could see from Amy’s room. While enduring a situation that would make any first-time expectant parents nervous, we were able to keep our loved ones in the loop, and put their minds at ease, all the while keeping ourselves abreast of all of the latest news and sports happenings. Our Unlimited Messaging for Families plan got quite the workout that weekend.
We wonder what’s in store for the family come July 4, 2010?
