"Just" a Typical Day

Today I am climbing on my medical mom soapbox.

A few days ago I answered the phone, if you have ever tried to call me you know this is not something I do on a regular basis, but I digress. On the other end of the line was a family member that I had not seen in several months. Part of the conversation went something like this:

Caller: Hey, its your long lost ... , how are you?

Me: Oh I'm good. Just relaxing with a book.

Caller: How's Austin?

Me: Oh he is doing good too. He was being crabby earlier, but he is napping right now.

Caller: No, I mean really HOW IS AUSTIN?

Um, didn't I just answer that question?

Sorry folks, move on, there's nothing here to see. It really irked me that saying something simple like "he is napping" is not nearly dramatic enough. Surely there is something wrong, I am just not telling you.

Are you serious?

I spend so much time wishing, hoping, praying for a "just" a typical day. There is no medical drama this week, so sue me.

Is it really too much to believe that he can have days (dare I say, weeks?) where no medical drama is unfolding? Doesn't every 19 month old take a nap? Doesn't every mom celebrate those 20, 30, 60 minutes of peace & quiet? Freakin' celebrate that with me!

Why would I lie to you?

Trust me there are days and nights when the drama is piling up and on those days I will not be answering the phone unless you are the Doctor-On-Call. I relish the days when there are no immediate medical crises lurking. Why yes, he still has his Trach and yes, he still has his G-tube. These things in and of themselves do not constitute a medical emergency on a daily basis, these are part of our daily lives. Don't get me wrong, things can go from "typical" to down right scary in no time. Just not today.

Do they think I am too lax? How dare I relax and read a book when my child is in the other room with a life threatening medical condition. Believe me when I say it is not without a multitude of safeguards that I allow myself this guilty pleasure.



THIS is how we roll for naps. He has a machine attached to his toe that monitors his breathing and heart rate, he has oxygen flowing to his neck, he has a video camera directed at his crib, he has a trained nurse at the other end watching him sleep. This is why I can answer a call or read a book.

Is that really what "they" want to hear?


Thanks for peeking,