Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Here's goop in your eye!

The daycare nurse sent Kate home on Monday because her left eye was a bit goopy. Daycare centers panic, understandably, at the least sign of conjunctivitis. I think they might set off an air raid horn when they discover a suspected pink eye or something, I don't know. Anyway, I had to go get her even though I thought it probably wasn't pink eye. For one thing, she hasn't been anywhere near Scott Baio. Also, ever since she was born, Kate's left eye has a had a way of getting goopy. Often when she gets a cold, she gets a little goopy for a day or two. Never pink, seldom even crusty and her lid has always looked perfectly normal.

So, I called the doctor to make her an appointment. When I said "they think she has pink eye" the receptionist informed me "you don't see the doctor for that, you talk to the nurse". Which was precisely true. I left a message on the nurse's line, she called back, asked if Kate's eye had any muck in it and then called in a prescription for an antibiotic drop that Jeremiah and I now have the pleasure of administering 3 times a day for a week whether she needs it or not.

Kate seems to understand the purpose of the medicine. She nods obligingly when we explain that we have to put drops in her eye, but it still takes both of us to do it successfully. This morning I took out the bottle and she said "NO! I can do it!" So I let her hold it and she went straight to work taking her medicine. You'll be happy to know that the bridge of Kate's nose is now medicated against conjunctivitis.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's amazing that the doctor/nurse prescribe medicine without even checking / seeing you daughter...

I know they are probably experienced in this field (childhood / childcare / health), but...