Education in Medicine

 

 

 

Well, we may be behind in school, but we got an education on the medical system here in Bahrain, that counts for something.

Luke said he was sick Monday morning and proceeded to vomit. About an hour later, he did it again. I started to take him seriously then. About another half hour went by and he came to get me again and didn't quite make it to the bathroom. Then it wasn't much longer and he was throwing up again, only now there is nothing left and his little body just keeps trying. I felt so bad for him, those "heaves" are worse the the throwing up, I think. He passed out from exhaustion only to wake up 15 minutes later and do it again. He proceeded to throw up nothing four more times in about 45 minutes and I couldn't get him to the doctor fast enough. They admitted him to the hospital immediately and started an IV drip, as he threw up all the water he had just finished drinking. That one was more like projectile vomitting a spout of clear water, but it was the last time he did it and for that I was grateful. The IV hurt and I tried everything to keep him distracted while they inserted it into his arm. I told him every thing I could think of, including how I wished it was me and not him. I think that one stuck because later while he was lying in his hospital bed he said, "Mom, I wish you were sick instead of me." Then he thought about that for a few minutes and added, "but I wish you only had the hiccups." It was the sweetest thing.

We have awesome family here. I just can not call them friends because they are so much more than that. Lene came over to my house, she is a nurse, and told me that it was normal for a child's heart to race and his lips to be white along with the rest of his body being drained of color. Anne came to the hospital and brought me a bag of goodies, got the older two boys and fed them and took them home. Scott came in from Saudi to stay and help. And Hirut packed a bag for me to keep my teeth brushed and my hands occupied while I was with Luke in the hospital. As it turns out, Luke and I really had some serious bonding time. It will always be a very special memory for me. We made up little games and watched tons of cartoons together. I silently prayed for every family out there that contends with illness in their children and thanked God for the blessing of health in mine. It was a good reality check and a break from routine, yes, I can even say, an education for all involved.