Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Quaaack!

Phew. I'm back. I just needed a few days to get my bearings back.

About two weeks ago we made plans the go to Minnesota and do some hardcore Christmas shopping. We were going with my parents and stay Friday through Sunday. Both my kids had been sick since Monday, but I figured they were at the tail end. Ha ha Ha. Stupid me. We packed up our car at noon on Friday. Both kids threw up on themselves in the car from coughing before we even left our city. We got there around 4 and checked into the hotel.

Mason coughed. We went out to dinner. Mason coughed. Harper was getting better and Mason was getting worse. By morning, after a rough 2-3 hours of sleep we knew we needed to take him in. He was so exhausted from coughing. We found the nearest Urgent Care and took him in. The Doctor called it croup and said there was really nothing that could be done. He highly suggested we take Mason to the nearest ER to be admitted for exhaustion. I paid $138.00 and was on my way. We headed back to the Hotel and packed up the car. I wasn't comfortable taking him to a hospital out of town and I wanted him to be at our local hospital if he had to.

We got home around 4 on Saturday and took him into our local ER. I told them what we'd already done and they were shocked. Shocked that the Doctor wanted to admit him for exhaustion but never thought to give him a breathing treatment to ease his coughing. They took x-rays, gave him a breathing treatment and we were on our way home. It wasn't croup, he had fluid around his lungs that was making him cough.

By Sunday morning after getting some sleep Mason was 90% better. Today he's 99% better. I am just pissed. The more I think about it the more angry I get that the Doctor said there was nothing that could be done. That he was probably at the worst day of the croup cycle, but that the exhaustion needed to be treated.

The Cherry? The clinic was private. Insurance not taken. (Bend over and let me have my way with you. Then you will pay! And say Thank You when I am finished!)

What would you do? We have been told to try and stop payment on our credit card. We have never done this but do you think it would work?

10 comments:

MP said...

As crappy as the "service was"..I don't thing you could deny them payment..legaly..I'm not sure though..they never guarenteed the quality of the service did they? I would for SURE write a letter..w/ back up from your ER visit.
That just sucks...

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

ugh ugh ugh. so sorry you had to go through all of that. my kids have been sick lately too. there's a lot going around.
maybe you can contest the charges since the care was crap.

Lizarita said...

Holy Moly Girly! I hope ya'll are all better now!!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! Well, first off, I'm glad Mason is feeling much better! :) That just sucks though. So many times, we just trust whatever we're told.

Sorry to hear about the whole mess.

NWO said...

They are a business like everyone else, and if you are unhappy it is VERY reasonable to ask for a refund. My guess, they'll offer a fifty-fifty split. If nothing else, it lets the management know that the doctor was clueless. Croup is not a super hard diagnosis.

BTW, a classic sign of croup is that exposure to cold air in the car ride over to the hospital is therapeutic, and often the symptoms improve a LOT just from that.

AnnieM said...

Thanks NWO! Very helpful in fact. Nothing was theraputic at this point not the steamy pool room of the hotel or outside. He still should have offered some breathing aid, no?

Pedro said...

Hey at least you got your leg rubbed by the doc, that has to be worth something?

Rachel (Crazy-Is) said...

Kaylie had croup when she was about 2 years old and she was given a breathing treatment and x-rays!! I cannot believe that doctor didn't do anything for Mason. Not even cough medicine! I would call that office and explain what happened and how you feel and see what happens. So glad that Mason is better!!

Upward Falling Autumn said...

I am a PRO with the crouptastic-ness and even if that Dr thought that he was at his worst day with it, he should've given him a breathing treatment. Actually, ESPECIALLY because he thought he was at his worst day.

AnnieM said...

FYI- Weeeeee got our money back, weeee got our money back! *happy dance*