Later that day, the children were home from school. I thought about having Mia pack me a bag in case I had to go to the hospital.
Friday afternoon after having been at the doctor just that morning, I panicked. They were closing at 4 and not opening again until Tuesday. So I called in just before closing and talked to a nurse. She had not seen the hurricane that was my throat. She was probably excited about the long weekend that was just about here. She was excellent at talking me down off of the paranoia ledge that I had myself on. I explained to her that I had not told the doctor that I had been on amoxicillin before I came in that I should have told him that (might be why things went downhill) and I was concerned that the Penicillin was also not helping. I mean I had been on it for 4 hrs and wasn't sounding like a crazy person at all! "Oh my no, you should not expect to feel better for 3-4 days" "You have to remember that when you came in this morning you did not have a fever" I argued that it was because I was on Tylenol and Advil and she countered, "Have you actually taken your temperature or do you just think that you have a fever?" I talked on top of her to say that yes I was using a thermometer. "And really, you should not be taking Tylenol and Advil if you don't need them" this is when I started crying. If you have had strep throat then you know.
She tried to be compassionate, "Oh honey, you really don't feel good do you?" I apologized for emotions and asked a few more questions, "What can I take to sleep at night? When can I call in for a new prescription"
As a family that night we watched Chariots of Fire. The story of Eric Liddell. Nate and I were both dozing off so badly that we quit half way through much to the displeasure of our children. I went to bed full of faith that the Penicillin was going to be working by morning just like that nurse on the phone had told me it would.
I got very little sleep. Should have sent Nate out for that Tylenol PM. Should have just taken the NyQuil in the cupboard, should have watched Chariots of Fire (that might have worked).
Saturday morning. No better. My throat was worse. My ear hurt. I did not take any pain killers because that nurse told me not to and I was quite certain I needed a second opinion and I thought I should have a fever when I walked in.
I called Lancaster General Health Urgent Care, they have one in Lebanon and I had heard good things. I wrote down what I wanted to say and the nurse was so, so kind. She said, "If you have not seen any improvement in 48 hrs I think a second opinion would be a good idea." I got myself together and Nate took me in. This was at lunchtime. We were the only people there, on a Saturday. Very happy.
I had the same nurse that I had talked to on the phone. Excellent. I had a fever. Score.
The doctor came in wearing a mask. I thought she was brilliant. Ear infection. Breathe deep, again, etc. Finally she looks into my throat for such a quick time and said, "H*** Cannoli! that is bad." I could have cried tears of joy right here. She got me out of there with a new prescription so quickly and so kindly. I could tell that I was getting better within 6 hours, but the emotional damage had been done! lol.
Second half of Chariots of Fire? Still slept through it. I think it's a sleeper.
It looked like a 70 year old neither hipster nor Mennonite
While waiting for my prescription
