Raising Maine

Originally I had started a blog about the miserable week that I had experienced. I moaned and groaned about how I have had a sore throat for over a week and been tested for strep throat and mono. I had experienced about everything on the H1N1 symptom list, but my doctor would only say I had some sort of virus. Belle has been sick since Halloween night as well. Her symptoms being similar to mine she was assumed to have whatever I had. After visiting Belle’s pediatrician yesterday, my blog took a new direction.

Due to our sickness starting on the weekend, Belle and I had gone to Mercy Express instead of our normal physicians. I was impressed with the facility and the staff was all great to us. Unfortunately, we did not get any better and their guess of strep throat was wrong. (This is not a slam on them. I was told by my own doctor that she would have sworn I had strep too by the look of my throat.) I called Belle’s pediatrician’s office to see what we should do next. The nurse I spoke to said to keep treating her symptoms, she probably had the flu.

Yesterday, Belle and I were snuggling and watching TV when she started to choke on phlegm and threw up a tiny bit. This was her sixth day with a fever and she didn’t seem to be improving. So I called the pediatrician’s office again, a little more desperate for help for my baby girl.

I spoke to a different nurse this time. This nurse has worked for the office since my family started going there. She has gotten me through so many illnesses with the kids, just hearing her voice put my mind at ease. I recapped Belle’s illness for her and she asked if I could bring her into the office in a couple of hours. I ecstatically said yes.

We got to our visit and I just knew everything would be all right now. Why did I feel this way? It is because we have the best pediatrician in the world. Josh and I met with Dr. Lynch while I was still pregnant with Sam to decide if he should be our child’s doctor. I had gotten many great recommendations for him and just looking at him brought me comfort. He reminded me of Mumford the Magician from Sesame Street.

Over the years we have gone through many check-ups. Sam had a vomiting problem for several years that brought us into the doctor’s office more than a couple of times. Then asthma and allergies started and sent us in again. This man has always treated my children like they were the most important people in his world at that moment. He never rushes. He takes his time. He observes and listens. And he knows what to say to a nervous mother to make her feel better.

So yesterday Dr. Lynch checked out Belle and put her on some new medications for bronchitis. Do I know if this is going to work? No. I have faith in this man. And I know he will do his best to take care of my babies. Thank you Dr. Lynch for all you have done for my family over the last eight years.