Monday, November 30, 2009

Where is your husband?

Thank you all so much for your good advice and prayers. I cant tell you how much I love getting your comments. Thank you!!

I did FINALLY get Skyler to the doctor after work today. By the time I got there he had another fever and was really in pain from his ear. Poor baby was crying. Usually when we go to the doctors he is everywhere in the office, climbing on things, getting into things...but today all he wanted to do was lay down. He was a sick boy.

I get there and the doctor came in and asked me how long he had been coughing. I told him it had been two months that he had been suffering from this cold. The doctor checked his lungs (all clear) and then his ears (clearly he has an ear infection) and then he stepped back and said that yes he has an ear infection but also he thinks he has asthma. WHAT???

So he said that we needed to give him a breathing treatment and went to send the nurse in. Clearly my son did NOT want to have a breathing treatment. We tried everything besides holding him down. Finally, I could tell that the doctors office staff was frustrated because someone must have sent in the "big guns." By big guns I'm talking about the head honcho nurse. She walked in the door and this was the conversation......

Nurse: So are you ready to be mom now?
Me: What? What do you mean by that?
Nurse: Are you ready to hold him down and be a mom now?
Me: Uhhhhhh....OK, Ill give it a try. (I was immediately puzzled by her words. What did she mean by that?)

So we held him down and got the breathing treatment done and then this conversation was next.

Me: So do you have any tricks on getting him to take medicine because he wont take that either?
Nurse: He needs his father. Where is his father?
Me: Um (very shocked) he doesn't have a father.
Nurse: Well who is the man of the house?
Me. We don't have any men in our house. I'm a single mom.
Nurse: Well do you attend a church or something, you should be able to find a male role model there.

By this time I just wanted to tell the nurse to SHUT UP and give me my prescriptions so I could go home. She had hurt my feelings and in my opinion way over stepped her boundaries. I never know what to say in the moment but when the next nurse came in this is what I said...."Did you bring me a prescription for a husband because apparently that is what my son needs!!!!"

It was a night from Hell. LOL I did end up coming home with several prescriptions...one for antibiotics, one for an inhaler(which I wont use for him because I don't believe he has asthma) and numbing ear drops. My son is sleeping peacefully and I am about to join him. :)
_______________________________
On a side note. Did anyone out there know that there were Tylenol suppositories for kids that don't take medicine orally? AHHHHH!! I got some and it is just WONDERFUL to be able to give my son medicine and not get it projected back into my face. You get it at the pharmacy, no prescription needed.

31 comments:

ashleyjnc said...

Is this your regular doctor's office?? If so, you really should tell your doctor what was said, and complain to a supervisor, you should not pay good money to be treated that way. Furthermore, Skylar really may have asthma.. I would get that checked out as soon as possible. It can seem like a nagging lingering cold in the way that you feel and/or act. I was diagnosed at age 5. He is in that prime range that children develop childhood asthma. I would consider seeing an Ear Nose & Throat specialist or a pulmonologist for a pulmonary function test for an accurate diagnosis. I can't believe that nurse was so rude to you! You really should call and complain.

Nati @ I will praise Him said...

I can't believe the nurse really said that. How rude!!!! Good one with the husband prescription, though!!!!

Hoping Skyler will feel better soon!

Rose said...

That nurse is something that rhymes with WITCH!!! She had no place to say something like that to you, it's none of her business, and as far as that goes, if he wasn't in the room, it's not her place to ask where he is! You were obviously having trouble with your son, a little compassion would have gone a long way. I think sometimes in the health care profession, they get jaded after years of working, and forget why they went into health care in the first place! Glad you're going to get some much needed rest. And while I do think there is something to be said for having a male role model (there are just some things my husband does with my kids that I will never do, or would never do) it simply wasn't her place to tell you to go find one. Wow, sorry for the long comment!!

Patricia said...

WHAT???
A nurse actually asked you that ~ unbelievable!

Kim said...

Those suppositories have been a lifesaver for me! My son refuses to take oral medication and I have tried ALL of the tricks.

I am so sorry you had to deal with that nurse. I was a single mom up until about two years ago and got similar comments. Especially when people found out that I didn't have the same last name as my children.

People just need to mind their own business!

H said...

Good grief!!! I'm glad you were able to get some medicine that helped him, and I would definitely make sure that the doctor knows what his nurse said to you...if he's a good one, he won't stand for rudeness like that.

Rebekah said...

I would definitely complain to the office and get their attention by telling them you're about to find a new (less offensive) office. That's ridiculous. I don't care what you need or how out of control things might have seemed, no one has any business saying such rude, hurtful things.

People can be so judgmental!

I wouldn't let this go - I'd demand an apology/write a letter/make a phone call/take your business elsewhere.

LL said...

I would also complain about the nurse's rude questions/comments. I am so sorry that your feelings were hurt, mine would have been also.

Anonymous said...

What audacity!!! You have all rights to file a complaint.. I know I would! For one, that type of comment and the way it was approached is just wrong at any time and for two--it was absolutely the worst timing since your focus should have been fully on Skyler and NOT into personal issues where she probed. As a nurse, I am appalled!!

Sorry that you had to endure that... but glad that your sweet boy has relief.

Paulette (I am having trouble posting under my name)

J said...

I would complain if I was you, what she said was mean and hurtful and she was completely stepping out of her bounds. I agree with Rebekah!

You don't need no stinking man...you are super mommy!

cc said...

What ever happened to compassion in Dr's offices? We've had a few moments with a certain Dr with my Dad, I just don't understand.

I'm so sorry you had to endure that. It's hard enough being a single mom without it being rubbed in your face.

You are a great Mom ... remember that.

Anonymous said...

I would contact the office manager. I have done that in the past when people have over stepped their boundaries. I would ask for a follow up call as well. Don't let this one go. Take action.

All My Monkeys said...

Sorry to hear about your "husband" experience. Nothing like adding insult to injury. As if you don't already know, huh?

SUppositories, huh? Wow. Good to know. Hope I don't ever have to go "there". lol

My trick, I give it to them while they're sleeping. Just take the syringe, stick it btwn their lips, and *usually* they just drink it down fine. Automatic succkling instint, or something.

Karen said...

I would complain to the doctor and office manager.A verbal and written complaint. That was totally inappropriate. I am a nurse and where I work you will get fired for that kind of behavior. It is not at all funny.

Mollie L said...

That nurses comments disgust me!!! I am so sorry that she talked to you that way. I used to have a very good friend that was a single mom. She got comments like that all the time from people. I don't know what its like to be a single mom....but I am willing to bet that comments like that don't make it any easier!!!! That nurse needs a lesson in compassion!!! You did better than I would have. YOU ARE A GREAT MOM!!! Hang in there! Mollie (OHIO)

Jen said...

Wow. I'm so sorry she said that to you... I just don't understand people sometimes. I would definitely submit a written complaint... she had no right to speak to you like that. Ridiculous.
I hope Skyler is feeling better really soon... it's so hard when they're sick.

Camdon's Momma said...

WHAT!? I am furious for you right now. Being a single mom as well I know how hard it is when your child is sick and running out of options/ideas to make things easier for the sick child. You are doing an amazing job with those kiddo's and I commend you!

As for the RUDE nurse, you need to make a phone call to either the office manager or your pediatrician and inform them of your visit with that particular person. I had an issue with one of the receptionists at Cam's pediatrician and when his pediatrician came in I said I am not trying to start anything negative, however this is what happened and I am not very happy. His pediatrician listened to what I had to say and I have never had an issue since that day. Do not let this go, you do not deserve to be treated like that.

No child "needs" to have a male role model in thier life, yes it is nice to have a good one for them HOWEVER it isn't needed and you do not need to go searching for one like she suggested. HOW RUDE!!!! My son is perfectly fine with just having his mama in his life for these 3 1/2 years, yes I do have good friends who are males but that isn't what made my child who he is...I made him who he is from my love and the nurturing environment I have him in.

Ohhhh I am so angry for you. Keep your head up and know that you are a good mom doing a GREAT job with them.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely agree! I would talk to the doctor or the office manager. I have had several run ins with awful nurses and every time I have complained, the doctor had no idea patients were being treated that way. One time we switched doctors and one time we got a gift card in the mail as an apology from the office manager! :) :) - Rachel

Praying for a speedy recovery for Mr. Skyler.

birthmothertalks said...

Wow!! What a rude nurse. It was so uncalled for. My youngest son who is 9 hates medicene too!! He is getting a lot better though. I hope the asthma thing is wrong.

A said...

OMGOSH! That is INSANE! Who the heck does she think she is?! Im really sorry that she hurt your feelings :( I would have been upset too!

Anonymous said...

Rebekah dont let her get away with it Talk to someone in the office about what she said to you. I agree with another comment that you really should check out Skyler for asthma...it really can be scary if he has an attack.

Kel said...

Shut the front door! someone said that out loud? She needs a talking to by her boss. I am the big guns at my office and it has nothing to do with making people feel bad.

She's a hose-beast.

mak'n Changes said...

How the heck did two posts get by me? Sorry! I'm like you in those moments. I think of everything I should have said after the moment is over. Don't u hate that! You are too much of a kind hearted person to mouth off. One of the gazillion reasons I love you!
Sorry you are having a hard time with sky. Wish I was there to help out.. Have I told you recently how proud I an of you? Well I am! You are an iron pillar!
Take a hug from phx. We all love you forever!
Cindie

Anonymous said...

What a rude nurse!

It does sound like asthma though, I wouldn't disregard that so quickly!

HappyAutisticMama said...

I've changed medical offices for less than that. If you like everyone else, though, I bet you can request that this particular nurse never serve you again at that office, or at least put in a formal complaint. That is just so unprofessional.

jenna said...

childhood asthma often shows up in upper-respiratory infections like sinus infections or ear infections.

Jennifer said...

Seriously???

I mean, seriously???

Anonymous said...

As an RN myself that nurse was very unprofessional. I *highly* recommend you either tell your dr. about her rude "comments", or if you were at the ER please put this information into any survey they may send you. Her behavior was not at all acceptable and needs to be addressed.

andrew,betsy,& noura said...

ive been a lurker for a while and love to read your blog.

I have a 2 year old who needs a nebulizer/breathing treatment everytime shes sick. Our trick (shes pretty used to it by now, but sometimes refuses) I let her watch a cartoon while taking it, and if its bad at night, we sneak in her room and do it while sleeping. Just a tip. Hope he gets better!

Anonymous said...

Please don't disregard the Asthma diagnosis. My 6 year olds colds would last for months and I kept complaining to the doctors that his colds hung on so long. Finally last winter he got the Asthma diagnosis and he has an inhaler. Now his colds don't last as long and he doesn't get colds as often.
Jenn

Anonymous said...

Wow Sis, I would have been like "And who are you to question me on such matters? I didn't come here for this!!!!". My word!!!!!

~Sis