Christopher, who is okay, had an allergic reaction to him MMR shot, this morning. My doctor's office completely botched their response. In the office, everyone except for me and Chris was inclined to think he was upset. That--I get. Once the rest of them thought it was just upset, I stopped arguing. But I knew what I'd seen. He'd cried as kids do, then gotten over it. Then he started coughing. Then he sneezed a couple of times, out of the blue. Then his face started turning red. THEN he got upset again. He was tapping on his chest, and saying it didn't feel right. He said he couldn't drink my water. He said he had something in his nose. The doctor listened to his chest, and said he was fine. I should have gotten insist--y then, but didn't.
We left around 11, but I knew on the way home that this was more than upset. We were going to stop for treats, but I insisted we go right home, so I could leave Ben with my mom and Julia, and take Chris back to the doctor. Chris was itching in the car, and by the time we got home, he had hives, and was flushed bright red, head to toe.
Called Dr's office, woman-on-phone said, "Oh, he was just upset."
I said, "No. I've been his mother for five years now. I know what he looks like when he's upset. This is not it. This has nothing to do with being 5 and not liking shots. He's having an allergic reaction. He's congested and he's got hives. He's also beet red, from head to toe."
Office woman said, "Well, just give him some Benedryl; it's probably a mild reaction" so I told her that was unacceptable, quoted back to her the sorts of reactions to MMR that are considered severe (according the MMR vaccine fact sheet given me by their freaking office) and are supposed to be seen by a doctor, and insisted that he be seen. She told us to come back in. A minute later, she called back (it was getting on their lunch time you see) and said nobody was available to see him until 2:30.
By this time, I'd already written them off in my head. I'd given him the Benedryl, and intended to cart him off to the Emergency Ward, if I didn't see improvement or if I saw it worsening.
At 12:30, my pediatrician called ME out of the blue, and said, "Now they're saying it sounds like an allergic reaction."
NOW? WTF is up with the "NOW"? I'd been saying that since we were in the damned office.
So, I said, "Yeah, that's what I've been saying."
I did not call him FUCKO.
"Well, you need to get him to the Emergency Ward, right away. He'll need shots."
"Call them and tell them we're coming. He's waited far too long, as it is," I said.
"Well, if you just go down, they'll see him and..."
"No. You listen to me. He has waited long enough. I wanted him looked at by you, an hour ago. He's red from head to toe. He's congested. He has hives, is itchy, and his voice is a little hoarse. You need to call the ER now, and you need to tell them that YOU sent us, and that when we get in Christopher is to be seen immediately, because he has waited too long as it is."
We were essentially treated like royalty at the E.R., and Chris is okay (and did not need shots, thank you, God, because he would have been totally upset) because the Benedryl finally kicked in (it took at least an hour and a half).
My doctor and his office staff live, for the nonce. Tomorrow, when I can think, there shall be--how you say--ripping of some new ones.