First off I know CC is not a replacement for a medical Dr.
I’m just wanting to feel like I’m doing something while I wait to hear more from my D. She went to the Dr this morning for intense ear pain, swelling and headache. She had previously gone to an urgent care earlier in the week where that Dr thought she had swimmers ear and clarared the wax and gave her ear drops. He also thought she was having a migraine and gave her a shot for the headache. She had gotten worse and this morning got into her primary dr. The Dr diagnosed mastoiditis and told my D she needs a CT scan today. They drew her blood and she has an appointment in the next larger city for a CT scan at 4. In the meantime my D is waiting on a prescription for antibiotics and a pain med.
Should I be worried? She lives a 7 hr drive away.
The nervous, hovering parent that I am - I would be driving there already. I hope it is not too serious and can be quickly addressed with the antibiotics.
She’ll have answers pretty soon following the CT scan, and the antibiotics are the right thing going forward. Take a breath, wait and see what she has to say about the results of the scan.
I’m trying to not get worried. My D is worried enough for both of us. She has done some googling and in her mind is already thinking she needs surgery. I’ve been on the phone with her off and on all day just listening and trying to keep her calm. It’s been a long day as her Dr is 25 minutes from her house and the place for the CT scan is another 20-25 in the other direction. It took a long time to get her blood drawn and she was able to fill the prescriptions near the Dr office so she has her first dose of the antibiotic in her. Her boss lives in the town where her Dr is and she has gone to her house to rest till it’s time to leave for the CT scan. Her fiancé works in the town of the Dr so if he can get off he will drive her to the scan or her boss will come home and take her. Her boss is around my age and I know she will take good care of my D.
It’s been a few hours I hope your D got some results @mom60.
Hoping for some good news. Hugs.
It sounds like her boss and fiancé are a good support system for her.
I heard from her. Of course the Dr called after my D had fallen asleep. I don’t know why my D didn’t give her phone to her fiancé when she went to sleep in case the Dr called. My D called the dr this morning and the dr is off today but had left information with the nurse. White blood count is high but they haven’t gotten the rest of the bloodwork back. Scan shows infection. She wants my D to keep taking the antibiotics and come see the dr tomorrow morning. My D is still freaking out as she still can’t hear and the pain is excruciating and jumping to the conclusion that she will never hear again out of that ear.
Poor kid asked me if she needs surgery will I come up. Of course I would but tried to remind her that she is getting way ahead of herself and she will likely feel better as the medication begins to work.
The good thing is she has a Dr who is part of a well regarded medical school.
Since she has a fiance on site, I think you should allow him to step up to the primary caregiver role if he can. You can keep on giving moral support and go there if needed so that he can go to work. I think there’s a bit of a delicate balance to be achieved, since they are engaged. It sounds like you are doing a good job so far!
Poor kid: it sounds miserable. And poor you: worrying at a distance is even worse.
@mom60 - hugs. Keeping fingers crossed that her antibiotics begin to work soon. The hearing loss should go away as the inflammation goes down. It takes about a day for the meds to give the bugs a good kick, so fingers crossed she will be improving soon.
@Consolation lots of wisdom in your post. We have I think a fairly good relationship with her fiancé but It is a good reminder to be mindful. My D is extremely close to both her Dad and me and we are all aware of that.
Thank you all for the moral support.