- "He has a temperature of 104."
- "You have a very sick baby."
- "...possible meningitis..."
- "...neural deafness...developmental delays...behavioral problems..."
- "We'll need to keep him here for at least three or four days, and possibly up to three weeks."
Thankfully, we were only in the hospital for three days.
Thankfully, Sam "only" has a somewhat serious viral infection, rather than a dreadfully serious case of bacterial meningitis. He's on the mend, with no long-term ill effects. I've never been so happy to see my boy resume his crabby ways.
Thankfully, we live in a country and a city where access to excellent, free healthcare for children is a given.
While spending the last few days under semi-quarantine in a hospital room, with lots of time to watch CNN, I also had lots of time to think about the thousands and thousands of people in Louisiana with at least as much need of medical aid as my family. A warm, dry, peaceful hospital room, with doctors and nurses checking in around the clock, is something I'll never take for granted again. Sam's too young to feel survivor guilt, but I'm not.
17 comments:
Aces! Whew!
no shit. so t-ruly glad he's on the mend.
Do you feel guilt for letting working stiffs foot the bill for your healthcare? Sounds like you've got a pretty cushy existence there--why should a waitress busting her ass to put food on the table for her kids contribute to your healthcare bills?
Thanks, Glark et al. It's a relief.
Wow, Anonymous, when you put it like that, I really see where I was wrong. I should have let my son die or develop permanent brain damage from that fever, rather than take him in for treatment. I feel like such a heel.
For your information, I live in Canada, where everyone has access to high-quality free healthcare, and we all sleep remarkably well at night. I've been busting my own ass for my entire working life to contribute to our healthcare system, and I'll continue to do so for the rest of my life, when I go back to work. I also won't complain about the fact that my taxes are providing healthcare for that poor waitress and all her kids. So, to answer your question, nope, no guilt here. Do you feel guilt for being an asshole?
Well said.
I can't believe how ignorant some people can be.
Glad to hear your son is on the mend. It's awful to have a sick child.
I've been watching CNN too and feel so lucky to live where I do. We may pay mega bucks in taxes here in Canada but knowing that my family will never be refused health care for lack of medical insurance makes it much less of a bitter pill to swallow.
damn, Anonymous, uninformed much? And anyway, even if she wasn't in Canada, as a hard working taxpayer, I'll gladly foot the bill for INNOCENT KIDS, thank you.
So glad to hear that Sam is doing well!!! A sick baby is most scary, and I'm happy that he's on the mend.
How terrifying! So glad everything's ok.
Anonymous, I live in the U.S. and pay for a lot of crap I don't want to pay for, such as a war. I would much rather pay for health care.
Thanks so muchfor the good wishes, Stephanie, silene and Melissa. You're right -- this is by far the scariest thing I've ever experienced. So I will continue to be grateful for free healthcare, no matter how wrong I might be. Heh.
Dopp, I don't know where you get off being so selfish when that same waitress is also footing the bill for the roads you drove on to get to the hospital, the scientists who certified the efficacy of the drugs used to treat your child, and the postal service you may use to send out Christmas cards depicting your healthy family. That waitress had better make a LOT of tips.
(We're so relieved to know your boy is okay!)
Man, that is one hard-working waitress. We should all pitch in and send her something nice for Christmas this year.
Heehee... thanks, Wing.
"why should a waitress busting her ass to put food on the table for her kids contribute to your healthcare bills?"
This is a great little example of what is wrong with America (and Alberta). When you guys revolted against unfair taxation, you did so to stop undeserving elites from taking your cash for their own needs. Now you've allowed neo-cons to steer the debate towards cutting out funding that helps civilization chug along.
Yeah... that poor waitress helps pay for our healthcare, but we also pay for hers, and for that matter we both pay for guys like Conrad Black's healthcare. That's how it works up here, and as a result we Canadians live about 4 years longer on average then Americans - despite a virtually identical genetic base. While I'm sure there are other factors, this is undboubtably a contributing one.
Also it binds us together as a nation. We can proudly say that we won't let anyone die, or be crushed by huge medical bills. Over and over again we vote for governments who will preseve this system.
Oddly enough there is tons of misinformation regarding the quality of Canadian healthcare. Yep... it needs work, BUT it is still pretty solid. There are those who would change it into an American style system, but my bet is these twats have never really been sick before. That, or they need hip-replacement surgery - one of the weak points within they system.
You could carry your way of thinking to the disaster in N.O. There are plenty of wealthy people down there. Why should you foot the bill for their rescue? Why should you foot the bill for the reconstruction of the city? Perhaps as they are collected on boats you should charge them a fee for saving their lives? It's pretty much the same thing.
In conclusion, you suck.
Yes...would that we Americans follow suit. You'd think we see something smart and take the hint.
But aside from that, glad to hear that Sam's okay. I can't imagine how scary that must be.
So glad your boy is well!
Oh damnit, that was me, sakatchewan (aka queen of the harpies). That's very charming that my well-wishing is going to be forever be confused with the jerk anonymous from above. Sorry for comment-clogging! Carry on!
I'm usually a lurker, but I wanted to say that I'm happy your son is feeling better. Having a sick baby is horrible.
I'm glad all is well. I'm sorry that poor Sam had to got through that (and so sorry that you had to too).
Thanks so much, everyone! Today Sam was pretty much 100% back to normal, which blows my mind because it's only been a week since he first got sick. The Mister and I, on the other hand, are still reeling. Parenting = how to age ten years in four days.
Hee! Saskatchewan, I could never get you confused with anyone else. I'm so glad to hear from you again! How've you been?
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