I figured Ethan would be run down a little bit today because of his long drive yesterday. He kinda threw a curve ball. He was planning on going over to my Mom and Step Dad’s house. It was a little bit before and he told me he felt “weird”.
He had mentioned earlier that his stomach was a little off. He had off and on cramping.
“What does weird mean?” I asked him.
“Like I am chilled today and I don’t know if I should go to Mema and Beba’s because I don’t want to get anyone sick. I almost think I have a fever.”
I checked his temperature and he was 99.7. Not bad but in true Ethan fashion, not normal.
I needed more information and began my “subjective”. We use SOAP notes in veterinary medicine.
S-Subjective - you collect information on the owners/patient’s (in human medicine it would be the patient) perspective of their ailment.
O- take actual measurements and factual data. Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, weight.
A-Assessment- the doctors reviews the subjective and the objective as well as an exam to figure out a diagnosis
P-Plan- how whatever ailment it is going to be fixed.
I asked very specific questions about when he first noticed an issue, what hurts, establish a timeline and frequency, every symptom. I wrote it all down.
He can’t take a lot of over the counter medications because of how they can react to his current medications or strain the kidney. He also can’t have any sort of electrolyte solution like pedialyte or liquid Iv.
He took a low dose of Imodium and he was grounded to a BRAT diet. For Ethan it is just a RAT diet because he can’t have the potassium in bananas. I also said “drink as much as you can to keep your hydration up.”
I like to verbalize the “why” behind things like hydration and the BRAT diet. It will help Ethan know what to do when he is on his own (he will never be on his own as long as I am alive).
His diet consisted of a bowl of rice, two pieces of toast and some low sugar apple sauce.
This could be no big deal or a very big deal. It could be resolved by morning or if his stomach is still off, it could result in a trip to urgent care and further diagnostics. I alerted my boss that I may need last minute back up in the morning. Trying to cover all the bases.
We are aware of the situation and are ready to tackle it quickly.
Whenever something does not go as planned with Ethan’s health, my cortisol level immediately spikes. I also get a little mad because he has to deal with this! He should be care free and making stupid choices at his age. It was the hand he was dealt.
We will do what we need to do and get through it.
I did some cleaning in our basement today. Between Avery and Ethan’s things, it is a war zone down there. I moved a lot of the things for Ethan’s move out in one spot. I tried to keep his car stuff in one spot. I relocated a few shelves and a cupboard. I condensed and organized . There was big progress. I am pleased with how much I was able to get done.
We all pitched in a little to help Mom and Gene to pack up and downsize. Many hands make light work. We really did a lot today. They are in pretty decent shape for their move coming soon.
This evening Paul and I were a bit tired. I hauled my butt to bed well before 9:00 pm.
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