More Dabbling in the Healthcare System

We've had a long week battling more sickness here. Finn went to bed last Saturday with a bad tummy ache and tossed and turned most of the night until he threw up in the early morning. Matt stayed home from morning meeting with a feverish and moaning Finn that was in obvious discomfort. He began to show signs of improvement starting Monday morning but never stopped complaining about his tummy. I became increasingly concerned when he relapsed Wednesday afternoon and thew up again. My parents arrived Wednesday evening so we were lucky to have the extra support. Thursday morning we took him in to the lab for a blood test and were impressed with how simple, affordable, and quick the process was. Thursday afternoon he went back to his pediatrician downstairs and she was pretty concerned, enough so that she really wanted to hospitalize him. She didn't know what was ailing him, his dramatic relapse was concerning, and dehydration was becoming a real threat. We managed to dodge that bullet on the promise he would drink at least a liter of fluid a day. She also prescribed some stomach settling medications and scheduled us for an ultrasound the next day. This kid is SO stubborn that no amount of bribing would convince to take even one spoonful of banana flavored medication. I even told him he could go to the toy store and pick out whatever he wanted, even a bike! To which he responded, "I don't want a bike!" Not true. Anyway, Dad helped me force a spoonful in and hold his mouth closed while he tried to spit it out. So frustrating! He was supposed to be taking it three times a day but we have given up trying. The other two meds were meant to provide comfort and relieve gas so we didn't even try.

His ultrasound appointment was really interesting. Essentially everything checked out fine, but we learned that his gallbladder has a fold which hinders it's function. It isn't serious and many people have it and never notice any symptoms, but we wonder if it has caused minor discomfort since he was born, which would explain his generally crabby and sleepless first two years of life. The condition is most likely unrelated to his sickness this week, but interesting nonetheless. The ultrasound technician/radiologist (I don't actually know her title or training) was very knowledgeable, friendly and patient when explaining everything to us. And all that for less than $15!

Today we take the results of his blood test and ultrasound in for a follow up with the pediatrician. We have been very pleased with how straightforward the system is and how quickly we are getting results. And all for much less than $100 so far! We are learning far more than we ever did back home because it isn't cost prohibitive to get an ultrasound, for example. And we pick up and own the results from each test; it's really interesting how simple it can all be. Also, everything we have done so far has been on the first floor of our building, it's amazing! Finn is doing significantly better again but still

complains of tummy aches and isn't happy about the strict diet of simple grains the doctor prescribed. He is up and playing and even seems to have some of his appetite back.

Unfortunately, Lev succumbed to what we can only assume is the same illness last night. He has been throwing up and is feverish, but luckily he is content as long as I am holding him. My parents were only here for a couple days this time and just left to go back to Kazakhstan. We were really grateful to have them here to stay with Lev while we took Finn to his appointments. And to help with middle of the night clean ups. Hopefully Lev can start improving soon!