Who Needs An MD Anyway?

Quick reminder of two giveaways here and here.

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On Monday night, Mister Man told me that he felt like he had strep. At the time, he was overtired from a long weekend and too many activities and being out of routine. Monday had involved a late dinner and later bedtime, and I wrote it off to him just being out of sorts and tired in general. After all, he had zero symptoms of any illness at all, not so much as a sniffle.

On Tuesday, I received a call from my friend who was doing carpool pickup.

Hey, Michelle. I just wanted to let you know that Mister Man told me that he thought he had strep. I felt his lymph nodes, and they're swollen and knobby. Do you want me to meet you at the doctor? Huh. I guess that wasn't just him being overtired.

I took a quick look at the clock - 4:20 (she was ummm running very late after having locked her keys in the car at school). The doctor closes at 4:45, but it was worth a shot.

When I called, the nurse didn't really want to see us. After all, he didn't really have any symptoms, and this was a recent onset. Besides, all the appointments were already taken. I begged, and she put me on hold while going to talk to the doctor. Provided I could make it there by 4:45, we were golden.

Living all of three minutes from the doctor, Little Miss and I were there with plenty of time to spare. Mister Man walked in a few minutes later and promptly started reading. After waiting a few more minutes, we were ushered back to see the doctor.

So why are you here? she asked after introducing herself (nope, not so lucky as to be able to see our regular doctor who we adore).

Well, Mister Man said that he thinks he has strep, and his lymph nodes are swollen, so...

Does he have a stomach ache? A fever? Cough?

Ummm, no.

Well, does he have a runny nose? Is he not eating?

He's been acting normal. He just told me that he has strep.

I'm pretty sure she rolled her eyes at me at that point.

Ok, Buddy. Why don't you hop on up over here, and we'll take a look at you.

She listened to his chest, looked at his ears, his nose, and inside his mouth. Then she turned to me with her hands on her hips.

I can see a little post nasal drip, but everything else looks completely clear. I'll do a culture since you're already here, but it's not going to come back positive.

Ok, I said meekly, sitting quietly in my chair and trying to explain to her that in November he also had symptomless strep. She wasn't interested in hearing about it.

Four minutes later, she returned to the room.

Well. It's positive. I'm going to write you a prescription. Does he have any allergies?

I was pretty impressed. Mister Man has only ever had strep once before, and his throat wasn't hurting then either. What can I say? The boy knows his body. Maybe next time we can skip the middle man and just write our own prescription!

And in the meantime? Let's just say that I didn't exactly get as many things done today as I'd planned. You'll notice that it's 11:45, and I haven't even checked email today. Fingers crossed he stays well enough and symptom free so he can go back to school tomorrow!