Today we celebrate our service to this country with strep throat

If motherhood was a slot machine, then I hit the jackpot yesterday, or whatever you call it when all three of my kids have fevers at the same time. 

It was sort of like the time that all three of them pooped in synchronicity - all on separate toilets and diapers, mind you.

Thankfully, this time the only thing pouring out of them were the cacophony of whines.

Ever since Margot won the award for first ear infection in the family, I now have the unexplained-fever paranoia, which has led to at least one completely pointless pediatrician visit. And that time, she didn't even have a fever, or at least she did but it miraculously went away by the time we battled Atlanta traffic and did the 50 minute pilgrimage to our pediatrician.

You'd think after three kids I'd have figured out how to use a thermometer.

So, after a few days of a low-grade fever, no snots or boogers of any kind, and a couple of other kids with a cold, I figured I should take her in to see the doctor.

Except it's Memorial Day. And I was supposed to leave tomorrow for a work trip. And my military pilot husband doesn't have any personal days.

I guess that's what today is supposed to be.

So, it was either leave for my trip and let my sitter take the kids to the pediatrician while I was gone, or figure out a way to get her seen today. 

And the look on my husband's face indicated that today would be a really good idea.

As luck would have it, urgent cares require a minimum age of two to be seen, so the emergency room it was, which is usually just slightly less awesome than getting an enema except that I remembered a pitch I got awhile back from a company called InQuickER where you can basically pay a fee a hold your place in line (well, unless your kid's hand is falling off - then you should just go).

Hi. Brilliant.

That meant I arrived, walked in, and was seen immediately. 

In fact, it was so awesome that I brought Drew back later to do the whole thing again after Margot was diagnosed with strep throat. 

Thankfully, the older two kids are fine, save the low grade fever and chest congestion for Drew and a mildly red throat for Quinlan.

And we're fully stocked with antibiotics, generic Tylenol, yogurt, and anti-bacterial wipes.

I ultimately decided against the work trip, even though I could have probably used the hotel room without children, among other things.

But I have decided that it if my little third child needs to be first at anything else around here, she needs to pick something other than illnesses.

Let's just hope we put an end to this streak before college. Or, God help me, high school.

Comments

[Issa]

QuickER? Hmm, something to look up. It never fails to happen on a holiday. Mine didn't this time, but they were with their dad, so it figures they'd all be healthy. ha.

Hope everyone gets better soon.

[Jeff-Lindsey Hemphill]

We celebrated the same way!....it started Friday night (of course), we went to the dr on Sunday. The rapid strep came back neg so we thought we were in the clear, but of course, she had to be in the 5% that cultures positive. We went the shot route and she was feeling better in a few hours....hope your crew is feeling better asap and you stay well!

[Kelly]

Hope everyone gets better - we are headed to our pediatrician shortly. Fun times!

[mom101]

Sorry you're missing your trip. I can have a bad burger delivered right to your room at home if that will make it feel more like a hotel. I can also have someone knock on the door at 7 and wake you up.

[marti]

WTH? Our pediatrician has hours for emergencies on Sunday a.m. Find yourself a practice that does the same! We have to pay $100 for co-pay for each kid!
(Do love the idea of that service though!)
Hope everyone gets better soon.