"Wee" pneumonia...

As you know, Liv has been struggling with a fever since Sunday evening/night.  We went to two separate clinics on Monday, where everything was presenting "clear" (ears, nose, and throat and chest).  We were told to return on Wednesday if the fever persisted.

Every evening we would think she was getting better and the fever would spike after she was in bed.  At it's highest, it was 104 degrees.

Today came and Scott stayed home with her and took her to the local clinic where a lot of our emergency room physicians work from.  Again, upon examination, nothing was presenting.  Since it was the 4th day with persistent fever, he sent her to have a chest x-ray and urinalysis.

Note to all moms of children between the ages of 3-6....apparently it is very hard to diagnose chest illnesses by stethoscope. Before 3, it is easy, after they are 6, it is easy, but this in between stage, it is very difficult to rule out pneumonia unless an xray is taken.  This is what the doctor told Scott today.

We got a call this evening where the ERP told us that she had a "wee" pneumonia in her right lung.  He said that if she is feeling fine, not presenting with a fever, she can resume activities at daycare/sunday school, etc.  He prescribed Zithromax (child version) for the next 5 days.

So, I'm not excited that she has pneumonia, but I'm so thankful that we live here in Canada where we have access to healthcare where we don't have to second-guess our maternal instincts because we can't afford a visit to see a physician, to go ahead with a chest xray, or to go ahead with urinalysis. All recommended diagnostic tools were readily available and I didn't have to pick and choose which would be the most precise.

We have a very happy girl tonight going to bed knowing that she gets to go back to daycare tomorrow....she has been missing her friends like crazy this week.

I'm so thankful for the books and encouragement I've received since becoming a mother that has instructed me to never ignore my maternal instinct based on opinions of others around me.  I believe mothers who let others' opinions of their child rearing/decisions affect how they parent are doing a great disservice to their God-given ability to know what is best for their family and their children.  If you don't listen to that voice inside as a mother, you will slowly be able to quiet it completely and at a great expense, I think.  Enough of my rant : P