Worry

My sister is 7 months pregnant and she is terrible for not turning on her cell phone. I would have thought having my niece almost a year and a half ago would have made her turn it on more. I would have thought she'd set up the voice mail, but she never did. She continued in her stubborn way to ignore the needs of anyone who wanted to get a hold of her. Even when the baby was with her husband, she did not turn on her phone. The other day, she learned why moms leave their phone on.

My sister stopped on the way home to visit with a friend. They were chatting and time got away from them. When my sister got home she found the note from her husband. He and the baby were at the hospital at (insert crossroads here). She tried to call his phone, not knowing what hospital he was talking about... the crossroads didn't make sense... she called, he didn't answer.

She called me in a panic. I told her to call their pediatrician (who had sent baby and dad to the hospital) to ask where she sent them. It was obvious to me that new dad must have been confused in the face of the crisis -- as would be perfectly understandable. I then told her I was on my way over and that I'd drive her. It was apparent to me that she was panicked and should not drive.

I arrived and she told me she'd drive. She's controlling that way, so I obliged her. It was an urgent care facility NOT a hospital. The baby had a fever and a rash from head to toe. She was having an allergic reaction. On the way I learned that she'd been on antibiotics for a week for an ear infection. I advised my sister that my niece might be having a reaction to the antibiotic and that she had a great pediatrician who errors on the side of caution. I was sure that they were being cautious and that baby was fine. My sister said she's heard her talking (okay, mainly babbling) when her hubby called. I reassured her that if the reaction was causing anaphalactic shock the her daughter would not be chatty. Sister was reassured.

We got there and all was fine. Baby was allergic to the antibiotic and the ear infection was causing the fever. They would get a new antibiotic and the rash would likely get worse before it got better. I went through an allergic reaction like this myself.... though I was the allergic person and it was penicillin. Oh, and I did end up having my airway close a bit... though the epinephrine shot really helped with that. This was one of my first brushes with death... I didn't go into details on the experience with my sister. I just was glad my niece was okay.

The pediatrician had sent them to the after hours Urgent Care because the regular office was closed and she knew the rash would get worse. Makes sense. Sister and I were able to share a laugh at how she is now gaining an understanding of what it is like to be a mom... she now has greater respect for what I went through on my many trips to the emergency room with Wonder Boy and Super Girl.

What bothered me more than anything about the incident the other night was our car ride over to the Urgent Care facility. My sister once again made me worry about her controlling husband. Is it another warning sign? She was worried about her daughter, but was better once she heard her voice. The other worry that hung over her was what her husband was going to say to her about having her phone off. "I'm going to be in trouble."

Hello? You are 41 years old. He is your husband. Trouble? She drops these comments sometimes that make me worry. She always had extremely strong views but she bows to his preferences and dictates. I worry.... sometimes it is the way she ways things, sometimes it is what she says.

I wanted to really like him. I had wanted us to double date. Hubby and I could never quite explain why it didn't work out that way.... we just are not comfortable with him. Funny how it was the same way with my best friend's husband and now they are locked in a horribly ugly divorce.... I hope things don't go that way for my sister... but then again.... Ugh. I hate worrying. My sister says things and then covers back up... I will pray... it is all I can do.

Anyway, for now my focus will return to relief that my niece is okay (the rash did get worse before better). The ear infection is clearing up too. Yay for modern medicine!