Off to the doctor

I guess I never really quit being a mother. When the kids are hurt or sick, the Mom Role really kicks in.

This weekend, Christina was asking to go to the doctor. She was achy and really tired. Her throat was "the sorest it's ever been"--and she's had her share of sore throats.

The doctor in urgent care started asking questions. How long has the throat been sore--did it come on rather suddenly? He took a look and saw the sore, red, with white icky stuff tonsils. He did a swab for strep, but that came back negative.

Before Christina knew it, she was wisked off to the lab. She was told to get her arm ready for a blood draw, but she declined, so they squeezed blood from her finger instead. How hard can that be, she thought--my diabetic mom sticks herself there several times a day!

Well, her finger was sore, but the blood test told us what was ailing her. She has mono. The doctor proclaimed that she could not participate in sports for at least two months, and that she shouldn't work till further notice. Not much you can do about it, antibiotic-wise. Rest, tylenol/advil, fluids, etc . Go see your regular doc in the next couple of days.

Christina was bummed. This would mean she would miss volleyball season. But the doctor was concerned about her spleen and liver.

Fast forward to Sunday. (Urgent Care was Saturday) We are at a birthday party for our nephew Alex. (His birthday is a week before Tim's.) Our sister-in-law's sister, a nurse, is there. Mark shows her his wrist, which has a spongy lump on it. Better get it checked out, she advises. Could bed carpal tunnel or possibly an venal occulsion.

Monday I take time off work to meet my two kids at the doctor. In the old days, I'd pile them in the van and herd them into the office. Today, they met me there in their separate vehicles. I can from St. Paul, Christina came from Robbinsdale (home), Mark came from a job in St. Louis Park.

The doctor examined Christina. She has a mild case of mono and a fever of 100.3. The doc tells her to rest up, and she can return to work on Saturday and volleyball on Monday! Her liver and spleen aren't enlarged, so no danger of rupture at this point.

Mark has a spongy mass. No cyst, tumor, carpal tunnel, or anything. It doesn't hurt him, so he is sent on his way with a smile on his face and a little bit lighter wallet (he's got his own health insurance now that he's All Grown Up).

Mom is happy with the report.

Now, if only the health cards will come in from her new insurance company through work...

Till next time,


Suzi