On Tuesday morning, and literally five minutes before Niko and I were leaving for school that morning, he complained that his foot was hurting very badly. Last year, we had this same issue and he had a walking boot for a few months and did rehab. He had a few instances in MN where it hurt, but for the most part, no complaints until Tuesday. Because of Nina and when her back is hurting, we do have a cane. So, Niko grabbed it and utilized it that morning.
When I arrived home a few minutes later, Nina was upstairs and sleeping as she wasn’t feeling well. Niko had some minor cold symptoms and looks like Nina got it worse. Hopefully, I will be immune as so far, nothing is hurting on my body. Once I knew Nina was sleeping, I left her alone and did my thing (which included watching some YouTube videos for do-it-yourself doctor practices). After I ate lunch, I showered and was about to head back to my office when I heard her phone ringing from her MacBook Air. I stopped and listened as she picked up her phone. Guess who it was?
It was the school nurse telling her Niko has a stomach ache, headache, and hurt foot. I was already standing in her bedroom door and Nina said she would come get him, but Doctor Dad interrupted her and said I got it.
So, I picked Niko up and when I arrived home, I told my boss that I am logging out as I have a sick child and a sick wife. For Niko, he got Motrin (which he actually took), and I iced his foot by doing 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. He did like that feeling and felt a little relief from the foot pain.
He has missed a lot of school this year due to being sick, and we can’t help that. So, last Friday morning as we were heading out in the morning, I praised Niko for going a full week without being sick and Niko mentioned cheesecake. So, when Niko got home that afternoon, Nina made a cheesecake to celebrate a full week without being sick and Niko was so clueless (he was playing video games and watching his iPad), that about an hour later, he asked what Nina was making. When I answered cheesecake, Niko went crazy and was screaming Magic Cheesecake! It wasn’t ready to eat yet, so he went to the bathroom, and when he finished, it was time for the Magic Cheesecake. It was yummy and my favorite part was the crust.
A few weeks ago, Niko wouldn’t stop talking and when Niko asked what Nina made as a treat that evening, I said, it’s called shut up cake and shoved a piece in his mouth (hey, he finally stopped talking). Nina and Niko thought that was one of the funniest things ever!
On Wednesday, he made it through a whole day with his cane, but he was miserable when he got in the car. He told me he went to the school nurse again, and even though she gave him a small ice pack, no call home was ever made. When I got done with work, Nina (who was still not feeling well, but came downstairs to hang with Niko till I was done) was looking at crutch or walking boot options and I offered to go to Walgreens for crutches, and if they had walking boots, I would get them. Well, they had crutches only so I got them. I also got some chips and candy for Nina and chips for Niko. When I arrived home, we showed Niko how to use crutches. The dad has to take care of his patients!
That morning it was snowing lightly and I had a doctors appointment and there office was super close that Walgreens. So, I was in that same area twice that day. Fortunately, it is close to us (just 5 miles away, so about 10 minutes). On Thursday morning, I was in that area again, but this time it was at Jiffy Lube for an oil change.
When I finished my appointment, I made an appointment for a pediatrician for Niko for Friday (I also told them about his foot, so am hoping we can either get an x-ray, a referral, a walking boot, or even rehab for him).
On Thursday, he had his crutches at school, and no nurse visit and he did OK.
On Friday, he had a day off from school. I took him to his appointment (it was mainly to get established with a pediatrician and get a referral for a foot doctor). Well, we are going back on Tuesday to see a specialist, but the highlight was he got to use a wheelchair on his way out. It was fun to watch him navigate around halls, corners, people, and furniture. While we were waiting to see the doctor, he asked me if we could get dinner. I knew that would happen, and suggested we can order Panera online and drive through to pick it up. That way, he wouldn’t have to walk, he could just sit and relax in the car. Next door to Panera is a Target CVS and we ran in really quick. I was hoping they would have a walking boot, they didn’t.
That evening, a new complaint arose and that was his knee and leg. I think it’s because his body is putting more pressure on other body parts and he also went down and up the stairs several times for a snack and a drink before bed. Don’t rag on me and tell me, well, Doctor Dad, you should’ve gone down and gotten it for him. I did offer, but that was like an hour before-hand and he was more interested in Nina’s jewelry!
Today, Nina is doing much better. Niko’s foot still hurts, and he is tired as he woke up at 5 am yesterday and today. Doctor Dad is just tired, as when Niko wakes up, he is awake. Nina did suggest I nap out, but I refused as I was happy relaxing on the sofa and reading a book – same thing for today.
