seattle and a chain of unexpected events
We’ve been in Seattle since Monday (I’m a few days behind in the way of posts) and Wednesday turned out to be the kind of day we least expected.
First of all, I’d like to thank Lecia and Alexi for their incredible hospitality. We are staying with them this week and they couldn’t be more gracious and helpful, especially today.
We had plans to wake up early and ride the ferry to Bainbridge Island and drive to the Dungeness Spit. We made it on to the ferry and Alexi, who happens to be a doctor, suggested we stop by the medical clinic in town as soon as we got off the ferry to get Mia’s swollen knee checked out. I had noticed that her knee had been warm to the touch, and the warmth, redness and swelling seemed to have spread even during the time we were on the ferry. After an exam, we were advised to head straight back to the ferry and check Mia into the ER at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
I suppose there’s a moment in every parent’s lives when your child is hurt or sick and you have to take them to the ER or hospital. I guess we’ve been lucky so far. This was our first visit with either kid. Mia wasn’t happy that she got stuck at the hospital while the other kids played. She wasn’t happy that she wasn’t allowed to eat or drink the entire 6 hrs we were there. She wasn’t happy with the needles and IV. She got to watch lots of TV though as we waited around to get blood drawn, lab tests and her knee x-rayed. There was a period where I was starting to really worry. There were all kinds of talks about septic arthritis, infection in the joints and possibly down in her bone, admittance to the hospital for a few days, and possibly missing our plane ride home next Tuesday if prolonged anti-biotic treatment through an IV was required.
In the end, the doctors consulted and decided that she had enough white blood cells to send her home and fight it with an oral antibiotic and a close watch on the knee. We have to go back on Monday for a followup to make sure the antibiotics are doing their job.
On the other side of town, Mark was dealing with a sudden flat tire that was discovered in the morning and a dead car battery that was discovered later that day as he was trying to make his way up to the hospital. It was real nutty.
When they gave Mia the green light to eat, she chose to have apples, gold fish, and a half size can of lemon lime soda. She was pretty happy to see Claudine when she got discharged. We drove to Mark’s sisters place for dinner and came back to Lecia’s with just 1 kid. Claudine wanted to have a sleepover with her aunt, but Mia wanted to stay with us because she was worried about her knee. As we left Claudine there and drove away, I realized that we had never been away from her before. The girls have never slept apart. Mia said she was going to miss her. Another first in a day of firsts.
wow that sounds like a surreal day! i hope mia’s knee is better. you’re lucky to have had a doctor on hand!
aw poor Mia – i hope she feels better soon -that moment of sister love is priceless!
I was wondering what in heck was going on. I think this is every parent’s worst fears.. things we kind of notice but then grows until we end up in the hospital/clinic checking it out. So glad to see things have turned out well but wow, what a day for you guys. I’m honestly glad you were with friends and have family there because being far from home, makes it that much more comforting. Hope Mia’s feeling better! Those pics of Claudine and Mia hugging.. so sweet.
Poor Mia, I hope you’ll get well soon. ;(
Mia’s knee infection sounds pretty scary. I’m glad it was nothing terribly serious. Hope all is well with you guys. That photo of the girls hugging is the sweetest.
Here’s a hug!
As soon as I scrolled down to the picture of Mia in the hospital, I gasped. That is so scary. Do they know how it happened? Is she in any pain? Poor thing. She looks so brave. Mark must have been freaking out trying to get to the hospital. Sending good thoughts.
Go Mia!
I am glad everything turned out okay. It must be weird not to have your little one with you but at least she is with someone you trust so not much to worry about.
ER visits are too scary. So glad Mia was able to come home and hope she heals quickly. They are such sweet sisters!
So sorry to hear about it. Hope Mia feels better.
Omg how scary I’m happy she’s out & love d smile on her face feel better Mia . Hope all is well love u
Sorry, Mia. Poor thing… I hope she’s getting better.
Brave girl!
Hope the rest of your trip is less nutty!
Mark & Jenna, you have a wonderful collection of pictures on this site, but i love the one of the girls hugging. It melts my heart.
I hope everything is ok with Mia’s knee and that the rest of your trip goes smoothly.
You should write a book on how to raise such amazing girls. They are so brave and full of love.
yes. I agree with Christie, the picture of the girls hugging is just too sweet! I hope Mia and everybody is doing well .
all the best for little mia! i was really concerned when i saw the pictures, more relieved when read your text. everything will turn out fine (i am sure) and you all be able to enjoy your vacation. a big hug. *
what a scare! i’m glad she’s better. hope recovery is quick and painless.
OH NO! how scary for you all….sending good, healing thoughts to your sweet Mia. As a side note, how did Claudine feel about the whole thing, and staying at her Aunts house without you? (big girl!)
Thank you guys. We don’t know what happened, but she is doing ok. She got pretty good at hopping one 1 leg for awhile.
Rebecca, Claudine had no problem being away from us. She asked a few times when Mia was going to come in the morning, but she had a blast at the “sleepover”.
hope mia has a speedy recovery
… I send you a big hug, yours Pauline
I am following your blog for quite some time now. You always have great pictures and interresting news here. I have two daughters of 21 and 24 years old. My best wishes to Mia. I hope she gets well soon.
My youngest daughter Hetty had a reumatic fever in her ancle when she was 9 years old, it is very scary indeed when a child gets ill. To our relief Hetty has fully recoverd.
Love from Groningen in The Netherlands
It is always scary when your little ones are sick or hurt (no matter how little they are!), and its even worse when you’re away from home! Best of luck for a speedy recovery!
sometimes it all just hits the fan at the same time. Dang. Glad she’s well.
Now that Mia is doing so much better, I bet she has a good story to tell her classmates at school! Kids love that, don’t they? Especially when they are over the sick part… So adorable!
Lakshmi
Aww, sisterly love. Gotta love it. Your little girls are so sweet.
Hope Mia is feeling better!