To the Doctors

Drew's cough is much worse. A number of people I know who have this cold are now dealing with bronchitis. In light of Drew's past encounter with chlorine gas that resulted in a bad case of pneumonia, I have no wish to let this get beyond help. I call the doctor to schedule an appointment. I am told there are no openings, and that if someone cancels, they will call me.

I wait. There is a call. We get cut off. By the time I get them back, the opening is taken. I guess tomorrow will work, but the receptionist suggests urgent care. OK. I call. We have a 2pm appointment. It is the same place Drew went when he sprained his ankle. They are pleasant. The wait is not too long, maybe a half hour. The doctor is obviously a pediatrician used to dealing with younger patients, but he is kind and understanding.

Its viral. BUT there are things we can do to make him more comfortable. Ever heard of cough pearls? Me either, but we get a prescription and head to the pharmacy. Unfortunately, since Drew is rarely sick, I have never had to fill a prescription for him, and they will need to contact the insurance company first. We go home to wait. Drew would rather be sleeping.

After several rounds of phone interaction, we finally sort out that Drew's birthdate information is incorrect. Once we get past that hurdle, we are finally able to fill the scripts. Without insurance, $69. With insurance, $55. Not a great savings, but at least something. And now if Drew ever needs medicine, he is good to go. At least until we change insurance next year.

Meanwhile, poor baby with his swollen red nose and watery eyes. He dutifully takes his cough pearls and inhaler and ibuprofen and sips hot honey tea and sucks a cough drop and blows his sore nose. Then he slips back to bed and into a restless sleep until the virus runs its course and lets him be. Aw.