Darkside Dawn returns....

I know I shouldn't complain. Its a blessing we have health insurance and the ability to pay co-pays. I guess I'm just really ticked off at the level of service. Here's the reason why Darkside Dawn is around.

Sunday- DS9 has a temp of 102 and a really swollen lymph node coming out of his neck. DH rushes him to the urgent care center in Madison. They are seen within the hour and DS9's temp is now at 103. They draw blood to test for meningitis and do a culture for strep. The rapid test comes back negative but his white cell count is through the roof. Dr. Quack for some reason ops for an antibiotic shot and write two prescriptions for pain killers. DS did not complain of pain at all. Dr. Quack tells DH the pain killers are to be taken together, and that DS MUST be seen by his regular doctor on Monday.

The pharmacist corrects the pain killer instructions for DH and suggests we only administer one of the two if needed. Later that night DS's temp is 102 and he pukes up the pain killer. Cost- $70 co-pay visit, $10 plus in co-pay for meds.

Monday- Our regular Dr K is reading over the notes. He is stunned to see the incorrect dosage was given to DS at the clinic. They gave him 125 mg of the antibiotic when what he really needed was 1500 mg!! Our doctor also wondered why they hadn't prescribed an antibiotic to continue at home, and he would not have ordered the prescriptions for pain, since DS didn't have any. Dr K checks the lymph node and is very concerned at its size. He tells us we must return Tuesday and DS may need surgery to drain it. He orders an injection of 1500 mg of antibiotic and writes a prescription for a powerful 10 day hit of more.

The nurse from hell enters with an incorrect dosage of antibiotic!! I correct her before she shoots him up and she doesn't return for 45 minutes. When she does, she has two more nurses from hell with her. They bulldoze DS and tell him they are going to hold him down, each taking a leg and arm so they can inject two needles into his legs.

I try to tell DS it will only hurt for a minute and then the pain will end, just like the shot on Sunday.

Nurse from Hell immediately replies, "OH, IT STINGS! IT REALLY HURTS!"

Sidekick Nurse from Hell Jr. ,"Ya, it really does."  These women are lucky my arms are short or they would be sporting rosy cheeks!!

The anxiety level in my son is skyrocketing. Darkside Dawn erupts. I yell at the nurses and they tone down. The guttural, animal scream doesn't come from DS until its all over. He's held it all along and just couldn't take it anymore. Later he told me getting the shots reminded him of the Stephen King story, Misery, when Annie hobbles the writer.

Monday's copays- $35 office visit, $40 antibiotic (original cost $ 224.89) DS, like me, is allergic to penicillin. When we get sick, they have to bring out the obscure drugs.

Tuesday- As soon as I finish this, I'll be driving through the snow storm to bring DS back to Dr. K. (another $35 copay). He needs to measure the lymph node and decide if surgery is needed today. I'm praying we not only make it across the icy roads, but that there's no need for surgery just days before Christmas! 

The diagnosis is Lymphadenitis, an infection of the lymph node. Surgery may be required to drain the lymph node if the swelling doesn't go down because this swelling lies near a major artery in his neck.

Darkside Dawn is going to get through this and then drop down for the count! She has already paid $4 to the swear jar for the language that erupted from her lips upon learning he was given incorrect dosages, incorrect prescriptions and incompetent nurses!