Health Scare: June 7, 2013

Devon's had a pretty big few weeks.  His Tots program wrapped up in late May.
 

Devon stepped up like a champ to receive his work binder from Ms. Gordon, but he couldn't wait to walk back to his seat to look inside.

Grammy and Grandpa arrived from California and took him to get a haircut.  Devon was very upset going in, but did pretty well.

It seemed like such a normal day, with new shoes and a trip to Target.  We didn't think we'd end the night in the ER.  That evening, Devon rapidly developed an infection. He was in a lot of pain and very confused.  He kept asking us "How did I get this owie?"

We called the doctor and were given the answer no parent wants to hear:

"ER, right away!  No food, drinks, or oral meds!"

As Craig and I drove Devon to the hospital, it seemed unreal.  The kid who talks constantly about people getting hurt and having to go to the hospital was being rushed to the hospital. 

He was pretty upset at first, but rallied when Mommy let him play with her sunglasses.  He was very confused by the bed in the ER, saying over and over "Is this my room?" 

Finally, we realized that he was asking if we were leaving him there and he had to sleep there alone. 

"No," we said, "this is NOT your room.  Mommy and Daddy are staying here with you until the doctor can fix your owies.

"I want to go home!" he kept saying over and over.

Devon rallied a little when we let him explore.  He asked to go potty.  I carried him with his hospital gown flapping open in the back as he clung to me like he was climbing a palm tree for coconuts.  By the walk back, he was ready to walk on his own, rear view still exposed to all the world.  The nurses agreed he had the cutest bare butt in the ER that night.

Finally we got our test results and our antibiotics.  Devon was given a vanilla ice cream as a perk.  Mommy relaxed.  I didn't think they would give kids ice cream right before rushing them into emergency surgery.  The doctor confirmed it a few minutes later.  Buddy Boy was going to be just fine.

Just to be safe, Devon's pediatrician asked that we follow up with a specialist in Orlando. 

"Just what else is there for little boys to do in Orlando?" we wondered....

Yep.  We decided to take Devon to Disney World for a rainy spring day of rides.

The rain started when we were in line for the Speedway, Devon's favorite ride in Tomorrowland.  Since our stroller was in stroller parking with our umbrellas and rainwear in it, we were instantly drenched.  We decided to be good sports and ride anyway.

We dried out on the Dumbo ride, always a favorite.

Since the girls stayed home with Grammy and Grandpa, we got to do all the little boy things together.  We rode the raft to Tom Sawyer Island, walked up and down the Swiss Family Robinson tree house, and took the elevators up to the Rocket Ride.

Around 8 pm when the rain made us seek shelter under the Peoplemover, Devon crawled into his stroller all by himself, pulled down the awning, and fell asleep.

We were thrilled to get a good report from the specialist the next day.  Devon's infection was a one time thing and was healing nicely with the meds.

The kids were thrilled to be reunited.  Devon kept running from girl to girl, throwing his arms around them and saying "I missed you!  I missed you!"

It was great timing for a medical emergency like this, because Grammy and Grandpa could stay with the girls and allow Devon the comfort of having both Mommy and Daddy beside him.  Better yet, our little guy home and happy with no immediate concerns is a really happy ending to a pretty bizarre story.