Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Virus


"You can now go in and see her." The Doctor said. "Please follow me."

We followed him to one of the wards just adjacent to his office. The room was white with cartoon characters on the wall. Chloe was on the third bed near the wall. She was sleeping on her right side. Her face did not have the smile she usually has when she was sleeping. Her little hands were held in a fist.

"So what was the diagnosis?" Fred asked sitting on one of the chairs placed next to the bed.

"We did several tests on her but unfortunately we found she had Rubella." He said.

"What's that?" I asked seemingly shocked with the news.

"It is basically an infection caused by Rubella Virus. It usually starts with a rash on the body then one experiences vomiting, fever or sore throat."

"But I did not notice any rash on her?" I asked.

"At times it not that noticeable."

"Is it fatal?" I asked.

"No. It is easily treatable as it clears on its on or responds to the medicine that is given to treat it."

"Okay, so how long do we have to keep her here?" Fred asked.

"I would prefer to keep her here for the next two days. As I told you, the disease is an infection caused by a virus. We have to make sure that we keep it at bay and prevent it from infecting further or spreading to other members of the family as it is easily contagious."

"That's okay." I responded.

"You will have to excuse me for a bit, I have other patients to check on."

Fred and I remained in the room holding baby Chloe's hand. Personally, I was praying. Please God, make this go away. How did she get this? When? We are so careful with her! 

I looked at my wrist watch and noticed it was 8.45am. Oh my...I have to call my boss and tell her that I won't be coming. 

I tried her cell like three times and it wasn't being answered. I then called the switchboard and asked to talk to her. Was told that she was in a meeting so I left a message to let her know that I won't be in the office today.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Chloe is sick

"Fred!" I shout.

"What?" He asked lifting the bedspread to cover his face.

"I need you to drive me to the hospital." I shake his body even more. "Chloe is sick."

He wakes up startled and looks at me like he has seen a ghost.

"What happened?" He asks.

"Can we talk about this on our way to the hospital." I reply while wearing my sandals which were next to the bed.

He wakes up and looks at the baby whom am holding on my arms. She has closed her eyes while her hair is spread around her small head.

We rush downstairs to the parking lot and off we go the hospital. The distance seems to be infinite but we arrive at the hospital entrance after an ambulance. We hurriedly walk to the pediatric center and go directly to the nurse at the reception.

"Yes, how can I help you?" She asks not bothering to look at us.

"The baby has had several vomiting episodes and has a high fever." I tell her almost handing her the baby.

The sentence seem to startle her as she comes next to us, puts her back side of her hand and felt Chloe's temperature.

"OMG!" She says and quickly take the baby inside.

I was confused so I looked over to Fred and we rush to follow her.

"What is wrong?" I keep on asking. She wasn't responding.

Finally, she stops on the second room on the right down the hallway. It was the doctor's office. He wakes up from his seat and looks at the nurse. Without saying anything, he takes his stethoscope, lifts the baby's vest and listens to her heartbeat.

"Nurse, please give me the thermometer." he asks.

He takes her temperature and gets a surprise look. "How was she before you came here?"

"She vomited several times. I also noticed her poop was a bit watery."

"We need to admit her as soon as possible." He says. "The nurse will give you some forms to fill."

He starts walking away with the baby before we stop him.

"Excuse me, what is wrong with the baby?" Fred asks with concern all over his face.

"The baby has a high fever of 106 degrees F. We need to check her as quickly as possible." 

With that, he went to the wards and left us still standing in the hallway. Tears rolled down my cheeks. We wait for a few minutes. I feel so weak. My baby must survive this.

After about thirty minutes, the doctor emerges and calls us to his office. After we have settled, he takes a long look at the file he has on his hand.

"The high temperature on your baby is not normal. It can be caused by several factors including meningitis. The reason as to why the baby has to be admitted is because we have to perform several tests to rule out any chances of infections or diseases that she might have." He starts.

"What about the vomiting?" I cut him.

"Yes, the vomiting. It may have been caused by the fever but we need to ascertain the cause."

"So what next?"

"The tests to be done." He answers. "Do you have insurance?"

"Yes we do." Fred says.

"Okay, we will also need your information in order to continue with the process. The nurse at the reception will guide you through it."

"Can we see her?"

"Unfortunately at the moment you cannot." he says. "We can arrange that in a few hours."

Fred glances at his phone. It is 5.17am. 

"Okay, we will wait." Fred says.