Lyme Disease SIGH

Meg's been running a low grade fever with a lovely oval not round bullseye rash and a raised red center which i noticed yesterday. She'd had the bump since early this week but not the bullseye.

So we called the doctor yesterday they didnt think it was lyme, told us to take benedryl and it will probably go away by today. But made an appointment for today @10:00 am.

Getting the benadryl in here took giving back a punishment and 5 bucks, as the tylenol was less costly after her fever spiked 2 hours later to 103.4.

Sean called Mike our EMT friend and he suggested we go to ER. Sean then called the doctor which put him through to pediacare line at South Shore.

They suggested we come in b/c it might not be a tick bite but an allergic reaction to soemthing else and that the Pediatric ER was open to come in.

So we got them out of bed, took Em to mom's house (THANKS KELLY FOR OFFERING THAT WAS SO SWEET) then proceeded to wait at the ER for 4 hours. It took 2 just to get us into triage another 1 1/2 hours in the room and 5 min for doctor to say yep it's lyme. NO blood tests were taken b/c in younger children it might not show up but either way she'll be treated.

Off we left with a fact sheet on lyme and a script for Doxicyclin.

We got home at 3:30 am and got up at 8:30 to head out to try to drop off script and go to docs. We'll really nobody on the south shore has this in liquid form, so one pharmacy said to wait b/c our pediatrician might change the script.

Her temp went up again this am to 101.4 and our Doc confirmed Lyme. He did in fact change the script to amoxicillian originally for 14 days but decided on a 21 day dose b/c she was having knee pain as well. We still arent sure if it's from the Lyme or growing pains.

I havnet been sleeping b/c of my new blood pressure meds for some reason dont allow me to sleep. Thursday nite i was up until 4:30 am with 2 melatonin (6 mgs). Usually one 3mg pill puts me out in 45 min, this time 2 spread 2 hours apart did ZILCH.

I called my doctor and she told me to take excedrin pm b/c it had benadryl in it. I said well cant i just take benadryl? So i did take a benadryl last nite when Meg took hers, she fell asleep i didnt. Thank God b/c of our loooooooooooooong nite.

I dont even know if i have the energy to complain and write about South Shore Hospital. I am sure anyone that lives on the south shore KNOWS how they've been written up before, and stuff b/c of their TERRIBLE emergency room antics.

Ok well i'll try to muster the energy.

We arrive about 10:30 pm. There was a little boy about 1 1/2 years that had been there for 3 hours and not seen. They'd closed the Pedi ER so all the young children there had to be seen by the regular ER docs. The mom finally broke down and spoke up. They were seen right away. Poor thing had a dislocated wrist and did nothing but scream for 3 hours. I felt SO BAD.

THey called Michael Madson for 2 hours by at least 5 differnt nruses each time Sean and I chiming in as well HE"S NOT HERE HE LEFT!!!!!!!!!!! But yet the still called his name and then proceeded to put his chart at the top priority with nobody coming forward did NOT take another chart. This is why the mom got SO UPSET, rightfully so!

THey finally called Meg, but a cardiac or something similar patient came in, then another. So we waited another hour.

We got into to the room after the triage nurse saw us. She was panicky over the rash like it was some infectious disease. SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS. I said yes they do (DUH).

Nurse Ron was AWESOME, so nice to MEg who had done NOTHING BUT COMPLAIN CONSTANTLY FOR 4 HOURS!!!!!!!! I am NOT exaggerating. NON STOP. I finaly had to go take a walk outside at 2 am (those that know me know i do NOT do stuff like this). When i came back i said to the man at admitting can someone buzz me in. He said oh she'll help you and walked away. Not pointing to anyone, i looked around like an idiot.

So i walked over to inforation and said he said you'd buzz me in. I am so shocked i did not go off on her. She goes what do you need to get back in there for? i said, UMMMMMMMM MY DAUGHTER is back there, (DID YOU NOT SEE US SITTING THERE)for 2 hours?? She took Meg's name, of course being a bitch didnt type in for about 2 min then asked again. DEEP BREATHS WERE COMING FROM MY BODY AT THIS POINT! I said her name and her birthdate and said BUZZ ME IN PLEASE in a firm voice. Now i am exhauseted, nervous and LIVID!

Just as i came back in the doc was there and we were out w/in a matter of 10-15 min. We were waiting for meds, but they didnt have liquid at the pharmacy so Nurse Ron said I cant give you this information, they have to give you discharge at front desk it's stupid but policy.

So i go BACK to the front information and he said wait please. Sean at this point took Meg to vending machines she was starving. He came out and handed me papers and said all set. I SO WANTED TO SAY YOU MADE ME WAIT AGAIN TO HAND ME FREAKING PAPERS!!!!!

Needless to say the comments card WILL be filled out in detail about our experience with not very good results.

We should have gone to Jordan or even Tobey. Live and learn next time we will.