Two weekends ago, I was out of town for a few days at a conference, then last weekend I was on a Church Retreat with my husband.  This is rare.  I never leave, but for some strange reason I was gone two weekends in a row.  In between, husband was traveling (per usual), I put the kids down for bed and everything seemed normal.  Two hours later, Henny Penny woke up wheezing, coughing, and gasping for air.  He had a super high fever.  I gave him Motrin, and we sat in one of the smaller bathrooms with the steam going, while I called the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta Triage Nurse Line*.  I spoke with a nurse, who heard his wheezing and told me to do everything I had already done.  She said if he still sounded like that, then we needed to go to the ER.

This came on FAST!  No warning!  What if I hadn’t been there?  What if it had been on the weekend before or after?  When you go out of town, you need to leave your sitter, even if it is a grandparent or other family member, a Medical Consent Form .  This will give them the ability to have your child treated in case of emergency.  Chances are you have them listed at your pediatrician’s office, but what about an emergency?  This is the fastest way to get help.  Also, leave a copy of your health insurance card to save yourself some headache down the road.

Henny Penny just had croup which sounds horrific, but after some steroids, and waiting it out for a few days (viral, so no antibiotics, boo!), he was completely fine, but it reminded me, kids get sick and hurt fast.  It is a good idea to be prepared.

*Side note, mamas if you don’t have this number in your phone, you need it.  It is totally free, they call you back immediately, and it is a life saver!  (404) 785-5437