The Inevitable Doctor’s Visit

Traveling abroad with kids definitely exposes you to many aspects of a country you might otherwise miss. The boys have often times softened the demeanor of many a stern local; who knew that so many Turks were compulsive hair rufflers, or the Greeks so impressed by a kid’s appetite? They once drew an appreciative  crowd of Dominican Republic airport workers by racing on the tops of their rolling suitcases while we were waiting in an interminably slow line for a rental car. The bored porters and taxi drivers seemed like they wanted to have a turn at the game themselves. On the other hand, in Western Europe many people seemed to wish we had just left them at home.

And then of course, with children there are the various trips to the doctor’s offices and the clinics. A mysterious spreading rash on the foot in Germany, dehydration in the Dominican Republic, an eye infection in Portugal–what better way to see what health services are available to a transient foreigner? This week’s installment was a come-and-go fever for Russell, spiking as high as 103 every evening, and dropping back to normal by morning. No other symptoms. On the fourth day, something snapped when yet another well-meaning Tico asked why I had not yet been to see the doctor. Thoughts of meningitis, encephalitis, dengue fever and the lingering question, “Why did she wait so long?” haunted me the night before I picked up the phone and called the doctor. Yes, I was told, the doctor would see us at 3:00.

(Before I go any further, I need to emphasize that this would be the 3:00  following the morning of 10:00 on the very same day on which I had called. If I called my son’s own doctor in our hometown, he would not have an appointment for a week at least. I would be instructed to proceed to the ER if I didn’t think he could wait.)

We entered a small air conditioned lobby and were instructed to take a seat; Dr. Alejandro would be arriving shortly. After about ten minutes, a neat but casually dressed man entered and, guessing that we were his 3:00, said hello and indicated that we should follow him into his office. We sat with him at his desk and told him about Russell’s general medical history and the specifics of his current malaise. Set off from the desk was a partitioned examination room where he examined Russell’s eyes, ears, listened to his lungs and palpated his abdomen. No little nightgown was offered, and I know Russell was pleased about this. Vital signs were measured, and we returned to the little desk. There is no infection at the moment, he told me, so there is no need for antibiotics. But he has a significant fever so keep him quiet, dry, and hydrated. He then listed the causes for which I might bring him back–all the usual complication signs. All things considered, we were there for thirty minutes. I paid 60. for these services, and we went home.

Taking to heart my instructions, I kept him home the following day even though his temperature had returned to normal. But as so often happens when you are on the fence about keeping your child home from school, he was bursting with pent up energy and joie de vivre by mid-morning. After a long day during which I nearly clobbered him multiple times, we took a walk to the beach. The waves were perfect: small, smooth, and the late afternoon sun sparkled on the water. He convinced me that we should return home, grab surfboards, and surf in these perfect (perfect for you, Mom!), mellow waves until sunset. His illness had become a distant memory, so long had been this day of my trying to restrain him, and so I agreed.

We had a splendid hour surfing in those beautiful waves during that beautiful sunset. Then, as we were walking home Russell asked, “Did you see the doctor?”

“What?”

“Yes,” Russell explained, “He was out surfing. He asked me if I was feeling better.”

I mentally counted the hours backwards to the office visit. Less than 24 hours earlier, I had been listening to Dr. Alejandro advising me to keep Russell dry and quiet. Mother of the Year strikes again!

Well, I consoled myself, since it was that easy to see that doctor, if there are any complications we are simply driving to the next town!