To Go or Not to Go to the ER
I hate having to make the decision whether to go to the ER. [Or to the doctor at all, for that matter.] It’s expensive, it’s almost always unpleasant, a long wait sitting around people who may very well make you [or, worse, your child] even sicker.
Sometimes I’ll sit and dither for a day or two, and by the time I call and wait for the day the appointment comes, by the time I get there, the thing has passed on its own. And then I feel like they’re making a little “Hypochondriac!” note in my chart.
But last night, it didn’t take a lot of wondering before we brought Audrey in. She started with a bit of an itchy rash for awhile, and by the time I took her in, she was one big head to toe red rashy welt. Poor girl. A lot of benadryl, a shot of adrenalin, and some oral steroids and she’s doing better now.
But why do these things never happen M-F during office hours? I can’t wait to see the bill. [And why do the bills always seem to come several months later?]
Nick said,
May 22, 2006 @ 8:44 pm
Maybe she’s allergic to weekends. Or to having parents with money.
Still, better safe than sorry. Sounds like you did the right thing; just keep that in your head when the bill comes and you won’t mind writing the check quite as much.
annab said,
May 23, 2006 @ 10:15 am
Is there an urgent care near you? We have those where I live — they’re open for longer than dr.’s offices, but it’s not for the life-or-death ER visits. It’s cheaper and faster than the ER too.
Mom2fur said,
May 23, 2006 @ 4:33 pm
Oh, poor Audrey! And you, too. Emergency rooms are awful even when they aren’t crowded. But listen…about that bill…don’t panic when you get it. Just make it a point to pay steadily towards it each month. No matter how much, if you keep up your payments ‘in good faith,’ they can’t bug you about it.
Oh…and keep a stock of Benadryl in the house!