When it rains, it pours…

I will start off by saying, that I know things could be worse, but right now I’m having my own little pity party! EVERY single time we move, I know it’s coming…the kids get sick. I don’t know what it is about moving, maybe being in a new area, a new pool of germs, I’m not sure but it happens every time. Last Monday (8 days ago), I was changing Emmersyn’s diaper (right after Riley got her stitches out–thanks, Kristin!), I noticed she had a nasty rash on her butt cheek. It wasn’t diaper rash, it was more like red, blistery sores. Anyways, she had started to complain about her mouth hurting that same day. The next day, she came down with a fever. To make a long story short, I thought FOR SURE she had hand, foot, mouth disease because it can show up on a baby’s bottom too. She had a fever for 4 days and she was SO FUSSY. On Wednesday, Lincoln started showing some symptoms of being sick also. Runny nose, complaining his throat hurt, but no fever…until Saturday when Ty took all of the kids to the zoo. They left and came back within 30 minutes because he said Riley and Lincoln kept complaining they didn’t feel good. Come to find out, they both had fevers too! They had a fever all weekend and come Monday, I noticed that Emmersyn’s rash seemed to be getting worse, so I ended up taking her into the Urgent Care to get checked out. Come to find out she had a yeast infection and strep throat. The other two also were treated for strep.

I think the hardest part for me is not being about to get out of the house. We literally didn’t leave the house for 9 days STRAIGHT! In fact, today was the first day in those 9 days. I’m not one to stay home very often, we like to get out and stay busy! I also hate hearing Emmersyn cry but not being able to comfort her. Not only does it break my heart, but I can only listen to crying for so long before I feel like I’m going to lose my mind!

On top of all the sickness stuff, I’ve been trying to find a pediatrician for about 2 weeks. Not trying really hard but calling around every once in a while. Once Emmersyn got sick I knew I needed someone right away because I couldn’t keep taking them to Urgent Care by myself and waiting for HOURS! Well, this proved to be A LOT more difficult than I anticipated. I had gotten recommendations for some great pediatricians, so I called and asked for them by name. I just called asking if they were taking new patients and if they took our insurance. No one was taking new patients. NO ONE. I ended up being on the phone for 3+ hours calling every.single.office. within 30-40 minutes of here and not one single pediatrician would take new patients. WHAT? I didn’t know that was even possible. I called the hospital, my OB and our insurance company to see if they had any advice. They all told me the same thing: they’re hearing that from a lot of parents. After 3 hours on the phone, I was so frustrated I started bawling like a baby to the poor receptionist on the other line telling her I had sick kids and no one would see them…yada yada yada. She said sorry, there was nothing she could do. UGH!!

However, 10 am the next morning I get a phone call from this same receptionist telling me that she explained my situation to one of the docs on staff at their office and she felt bad for me and that she’d take my kids as new patients!! RELIEF, I tell you! AND it was the doctor I called first because that’s who I wanted! Ty tells me all the time not to worry or get upset because God has a plan and everything will work out…because it always does!  Why do I constantly need this reminder? Why, in these situations, do I get frustrated instead of praying? I am thankful for a God that provides and reminds me to trust him, always! So, the kids have a pediatrician now and I am thankful. If you know of anyone wanting to open a pediatrician’s office tell them to come to Grand Rapids because, clearly, there is a shortage :)!