Yay to Modern Medicine

Tesla is taking antibiotics now. I know there's a lot of fuss about using such strong drugs, but frankly, after 5 days of a completely listless, almost lifeless Tesla, I'm thankful to know we can give her drugs that will fight off the army of bacteria that has invaded her lungs. We waited a few days since the doctor initially said this was just a cold, but we've never ever seen her like this. Pneumonia takes time to develop, so it's normal that first it's a cold, and only later becomes more serious. We are relieved to know what we need to do.

I want to take time, however, to express how grateful I am that I can go to Kaiser (make an appointment day of), and immediately get the medicine that she clearly needs (for $10!). I feel safe and confident that she can now fight this off. I can't imagine what parents have to go through when antibiotics aren't available. I can see why it would take months and months of care. And for babies who aren't eating or drinking much? Whoa.

Makes me reflect on the bit of hospital care I've had. Although sure, natural birth is best when possible, there seems to be a cultural judgement towards that (at least in the Bay Area), as if any medical intervention is bad. I know generations ago, women and babies died during birth. So I appreciate, still, that I had the choice to be safe with a c-section when T's heart beat kept dropping. Fundamentally, I'm thankful.

I'm reflecting on this because an amazing person I know, who lost her beautiful baby, blogged this:

I went from a place where the process of birth mattered so much. I had to have my babies at home, because hospitals are evil. Ha! I had to have my babies without pain medication because it might affect our postpartum bonding Or my baby's ability to nurse. Double ha! I had to have just one ultrasound because ultrasounds may affect the cell structure of the fetus. Triple ha! I had to not have any other tests because whatever the outcome, I would be at peace with it. Biggest ha possible!

Her point is, it's not about the mother's ego of a perfect birth. THE most important of all is a healthy baby. I really appreciate her sharing that voice. It's easy to overlook the safety that hospitals provide, and the medicine we have access to. Even in our neighborhood, there is debate about a helipad for our nearby hospital because of sound concerns. But when I imagine the people who will be in those helicopters, I can't help but think that sound is a small price for a society to pay.

Anyhow, lots of thoughts, and appreciation for being able to help Tesla get better.

Comments

[Ms. Jen]

Hi Mie,

I hope Tesla is on the mend. I am sorry to hear her cold/flu has descended into worse territory.

Be glad you are in Kaiser NorCal and not Kaiser SoCal. KP in SoCal is just downright awful. If we had a choice for better individual plans for freelancers with someone else, we would go running. It takes 3 weeks to get an appt down here and when you do, you are lucky to get more then 3 minutes with a very cranky doctor. I dread, dread, dread having to visit the doctor and have been to 3 different Kaiser centers here.