There’s Good Days, Bad Days and Then There's Mondays

Remember how I said Renee does something everyday that bears reporting, well she really did it today. I apologize for not having pictures for you folks. I’m going to have to start carrying a camera at all times.

It started as the typical Monday, Renee hit the snooze one too many times but otherwise we all got out the door on time. Cassidy had a cold last week but it seemed to clear up over the weekend. She got up with a little cough so Renee gave her a little shot of suppressant before driving her to school.

Renee was planning on going to the allergist to get her shots. She hasn’t had them since November. It’s not a big deal for her in the winter but if she doesn’t build up the immunities before the trees bud in the spring she’ll be miserable.

Renee called me a little before 11:00, she just got a call from school, Cassidy has a fever of 101 and a stomach ache. Renee’s going to pick her up as soon as she finishes up at the allergist. She had already received her dose and was in the waiting room doing the mandatory 30 minute linger before leaving. Renee got impatient and left after 20 minutes. She hopped in the car and headed out. Not even a block away and her hands started tingling, then her chest started tightening, she took a quick right and snaked her way through the Brownsboro Crossing shopping district back to the allergist.

Renee called me at 11:20 and asked if I could pick up Cassidy since she had a reaction to the allergy shots and she couldn’t leave. It was close to lunch so I headed right out. I had to head home first and switch cars. I work for my uncle and he won’t let me use the work car for activities unrelated to his business. Traffic was light so I had Cassidy back at home a little past noon. Renee called me on the cell phone while we were en route and said the reaction was bad. She mumbled something about almost needing an ambulance as I hit the curves on Brownsboro Road and that they were keeping her for a couple of hours. She was in good spirits and concerned about Cassidy giving me instructions on treating the feverish child with Tylenol.

After I got Cassidy settled, I was headed for the door back to work when Renee called again and asked if I could bring her her glasses. She had to remove her contacts due to the reaction. Oh, and could I stop at the pharmacy across the parking lot and pick up a prescription the doctor just called in.

I pick up the prescription and hit the allergist office, thunk. The door’s closed. It’s lunch time and they’re closed for an hour. I had to call inside to get let in. I was then led in to the back where the patient rooms are. And what to my wondering eyes did appear twas our girl Renee with cauliflower ear, and cauliflower nose, and cauliflower cheeks, and cauliflower forehead and cauliflower eye lids. She was also sporting an oxygen tube. It was quite a site. The first thing I said is that we need a picture of this. But her camera phone was full, aargh!

Renee and the nurse told me that she looks so much better than she did before. When Renee arrived back and told them she was having a reaction, the nurse immedialtely brought her back to an examining room. There were no physical signs other than some face reddening at the moment but the nurse phoned the doctor, none on the premises of course, and turned to prepare an epi-pen shot. She turned back to Renee and a shock infused inhale “Ohsh….!” was all that came out. There’s a sound you never want to hear from your nurse. The doctor heard her and asked what’s wrong. She said Renee’s eyes were swollen.

Swollen? Did she say swollen? Renee’s eyes had grown to the size of plums was how it was described to me. Yes, the eyeballs themselves were sticking out of her now puffed face like a cartoon character who’s just been whacked in the back of the head. That quickly, wham, and her face exploded to beyond the picture of punishment of a losing prizefighter.

Renee was having what they call a systemic reaction. This is the mother of reactions. This is the don’t leave her alone for a minute reaction. This is a how could there be only one nurse on duty and a phone-it-in doctor reaction? This is a why the heck didn’t they call 911 reaction?

Two epi-shots, one shot of some other anti-reactive, another medication for the breathing and the oxygen tube cranked to eight (Don’t light a match!) and Renee stabilized. They were this close to calling for an ambulance. They had to call in a second nurse from another facility just to monitor Renee.

I made sure Renee was “fine” and left her with the nurse. I made it back to work within lunch hour parameters and Renee drove herself home at about 3:00 clutching her brand new epi-pen, that I retrieved from the pharmacy, the whole way home. Cassidy was sort of resting in front of the TV while gripping a bucket.

The girls are at it again!

So that’s our Monday, how was yours?