Last Thursday we had an unexpected illness with Sophie sending us to the hospital. We were supposed to go to Utah that day but Sophie hadn't been feeling well and I wanted to go to the doctor to get it checked out before we left. When he couldn't explain her 102 fever, he sent us to the hospital to get all sorts of fun tests... urine, blood and spinal tap. POOR GIRL!!! I said, "So I guess we're not going to Utah" and he told me he thought it might end up being a bad idea to go.
Luckily Shane was home and he took care of the kids while Sophie and I stayed in the hospital until Saturday night when she was given the all-clear to go home. She had to be on anti-biotics that were given to her through an IV. All her tests came back negative and turns out it was just a cold. I guess for newborns who have high fevers (it was up almost to 103 by the time we got to the hospital) it's just standard procedure to get these tests done and give them their medicine intravenously. I was very grateful for clean facilities and great doctors and nurses during our stay, but I had to wonder... is this standard procedure worth the 1 out of thousands who do end up having menangitis? I guess if you are that one... well, then of course it's worth it and it's always better to be safe than sorry, but perhaps standard procedures like these are one reason for high health care costs. And were they put into place to save that one? or to save the doctors from getting sued from families of that one that was missed? I suppose everyone has their own opinion and in this case Shane and I decided, for us, it was worth it. One thing's for sure... I am so grateful to live here where we really do have the best, not cheap or even affordable for some, but definately the best health care in the world.
