Medicine

I suppose if you have a heart attack or cancer, it is best to be in America. We have great technology and doctors that I am thankful for. But if it is just a sore throat and fever, I’d rather be here.

Austin woke up with a fever on Sunday morning. We ended up taking him to an urgent care type place today (Monday). After walking into the clinic, the receptionist said that she would page the pediatrician. They ushered us into a private examining room. We waited six or seven minutes for the doctor. He was great with Austin and gave him a through physical, a prescription for an antibiotic, and his home phone number in case I had any questions.

I walked to a pharmacy near our apartment and waited about 30 seconds for my prescription. All totaled, it took about one hour and about $40. No insurance, no bills.

Of course, I couldn’t have done anything without my American friend/interpreter. She did a great job, and learned how to say tonsils and antibiotics.

After one dose of his medicine, a short nap and some chicken nuggets and coke, Austin is back to his happy little self. His is playing with Buzz-light-year and Zurg next to me now. I asked him if there was anything he wanted to say to everyone at home. He says, “probably . . . just ‘Hi’.”

Update, Tuesday morning:

Ok, I take it all back. I would have been happy to pay lots of money and wait a long time to see an English speaking doctor at an American emergency room last night. Just before bedtime, and thankfully before his second dose, Austin had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. He broke out in a rash from his neck to his knees with red, swollen hives popping up on his hands, knees and arms. Fortunately, he was able to fall asleep without any problem. He slept through the night and all signs of the allergy seem to be gone this morning. Praise God.

I had a little more trouble sleeping. I sat listening to him snore and snort through his little swollen nose while using a ridiculous amount of minutes talking to my sister on the phone. She walked me through options and scenarios dealing with a reaction. (Thanks Tash, I’m so grateful for you!) Thinking through the worst complications of a reaction and being in a country where I can’t speak the language was more than I could handle. I considered jumping head first into the deep pool of panic. (I’m going to wait a few days before I ask Bobby if he thought I did, indeed, jump head first into the deep pool of panic.)

Regardless, it was a rough night for me. I had to make a conscious decision to continually declare my dependence on the Lord. He is my only hope for wisdom and discernment and ultimately holds the life of my child in his hands. So, we start another day here, dependent on Him for every breath . . .

Thank you so much for your prayer coverage last night! We love you all.