Bob seemed like he was getting a little cough, so I kept him home from school to see if some rest would help. Around midnight I found out that it did not.
He woke up with that tell-tale croup seal bark. The wheezing in-between the barking was extraordinary and much worse than the other time Bob had crouped it up a year ago. He was having a hard time getting his breath and no amount of vaporized air, steamy bathroom or standing in front of the open freezer was helping. We packed it up and headed to the Emergency Room.
When we got to the ER, the cold night air had slowed down Bob's barking but his wheezing continued. Bob slept on my lap as Jeff and I sat on the hard plastic chairs in the waiting room. There was a John Cusack/Oliver Platt movie playing on the TV overhead. Jeff filled out forms while I kissed Bob's damp forehead.
We were ushered in to one room for a chest x-ray for Bob and another to wait to meet a doctor. The doctor was gentle and kind to the sleepy patient and his patient's worried parents. Bob was very subdued but answered the doctors questions and informed him that he was feeling, "very not so better."
The doctor confirmed that indeed, Bob did have croup and in addition he also had an upper respiratory infection. As we waited for the nurse to come with a prescription, Bob rested his head in my lap.
"You've done a great job Bob. You've been very brave."
"You must be really tired, buddy, said Jeff.
"I am tired. Mom? What time is it?"
"It's 2:40 in the morning."
Bob shot up, his eyes huge. "Wow! Really? Wow! That's late! I am up so late! Have I ever been up this late? It is really late outside! Wow!" He was impressed.
I can only hope the co-pay is less impressive.
.jpg)
