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A little medical knowledge

I took my son (he of painful injury fame) to the doctor yesterday. I knew he had strep throat. After four kids and numerous hospital visits, doctor visits and ER fun, I know things. The professional medical community doesn't like it when you 'know things'. A parent with knowledge of medical procedures, medicines and practices makes the doctors more than a bit nervous. It perturbs them. They like to be the ones dispensing their wisdom and making the decisions.

When my third child had her finger smashed open after dropping a weight upon it, we spent some quality time in the ER. I asked that they give her some versed. Versed is in a class of chemicals called benzodiazepines which are all sedatives, hypnotics and/or muscle relaxants. Another benzodiazepine is Xanax. I wanted her to have this medication so she wouldn't remember the pain she was about to endure. She'd broken her finger and sliced it open so far that it needed stitches.

I was haughtily informed that if they gave her versed they'd have to monitor her breathing and heart rate. I smiled sweetly and told them that yes, I knew that and I wanted it anyway. They told me this would prolong our time in the ER because she'd have to be monitored longer. I again smiled and told them no problem, I didn't have any pressing appointments that day. They finally asquiesced.

It's a good thing I insisted as the stitching up of the finger did not go well. They really shouldn't have attempted it in the first place as her finger was so swollen. The stitches pulled right out. It wasn't pretty.

Anyway, I took my son in to get some medication for his strep throat. I told them he had strep throat. I asked that they do a quick strep test. He has it. They gave him a big ole shot of penicillin in the butt. He was not pleased I was in the room when he was asked to pull his pants down. I smiled sweetly at him and said I'd stand by his head so I wouldn't see anything.

Mother's lament: I used to change your diapers!!! What do you mean I can't see your butt!!!

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