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The Mom Dash

Yesterday, I found myself doing the Mom Dash.

If you are a mother or have ever taken care of little ones, you might be able to relate.

First of all, you might remember that Chicky came home from work very sick.

I’m talking dog sick.

She had an afternoon appointment with a doctor who also happens to be a friend of the family’s.  The doctor didn’t know we were coming (his staff did, though).

Poor Chicky just could not drive herself.  She had managed to grab a few hours of sleep…unheard of in the middle of the day for her.

She woke up groggy and still feeling woozy.

We drove to the office, and I let her fill out her paperwork and go into the examination room by herself.  She’s 19, after all.  She’s almost *cough* a big girl.

I waited and waited.

The doctor came out…the family friend.

He was ever the professional and shook my hand.  That was a little strange.  But still, he chatted in the pleasant way that friends do.

“Chicky is very sick,” he said.

“Yeah, I know.  It’s good to hear someone who really knows confirm that fact to me, though,” I said.

“No, you don’t understand.  She’s really sick,” he said.  He continued, “She’s got pharyngitis.”

“Huh?” I said, dumbly.  “Did you do a strep test?” I asked.

“No, but I’m treating her as if I did.  She’s sick all up here,” and he motioned with his hand all around his face and neck.

It turns out she has a very bad sore throat virus-y kind of thing that can be caused by the same bacteria that causes strep.  The symptoms are much more severe, though, as evidenced by Chicky’s extreme physical aches and pains and killer headache.

The doctor ordered up a shot of some miracle medicine (the Mr. tells me it was a steroid) to help with the pain.

Poor Chicky.  She hobbled out gripping her booty.  It’s been years since she’s had a shot, and this one was a doozie.  She said she felt the medicine burning its way down her leg.

The doctor’s office had already sent in her prescription electronically.  Yay!

That’s when the Mom Dash began…for real.

I dashed home with Chicky…eager to get her back into bed.  Along the way, I called the Mr. and gave him a run-down.

Don’t you dare say a word about me talking while driving.  Moms doing the Mom Dash don’t have time to sit beside the road and have conversations.

It’s all about getting things done quickly…while obeying the speed limit, of course.  😉

While at home, I called CVS and confirmed that Chicky’s prescription was in the process of being filled.

It was.

Before I dashed out, I made a list of Chicky’s favorite Gatorade flavors:  Riptide Rush and some sort of light blue stuff (can’t remember the name).

Then, I dashed out to CVS.

I walked like a madwoman to the refrigerated case, but there wasn’t any of the preferred Gatorade flavors to be had.

Rats.

I would have to stop somewhere else.

While in CVS, I called Chicky.  I had an idea for something she might be interested in eating.

She informed me that the shot she had been given was working its magic, and she was feeling a lot less achy.  In fact, she had discovered that she was very hungry.

She still sounded pitiful.  I offered to stop at Panera to pick up soup.

She sounded hopeful.

I told her I’d call her when I got back out to my car where I have a copy of Panera’s menu.

Um, yeah.  I really do drive around with menus in the car.

I’m like that.

Prepared, that is.

So, after paying for her prescription, I dashed to my next place…a convenience store that I knew would have a good selection of Gatorade.

It did, and I found what I wanted.

I dashed out and hurried to Panera.

My order was very large.  I was feeding three of us (Rooster is at church camp).

Finally, I dashed back home.

Chicky was sitting up in bed, a good sign, although she was having trouble focusing on her history assignment.

I checked her forehead for fever and dashed around the house, getting her everything she needed to be comfortable:  a bit of soup, a bit of mac & cheese, an insulated cup filled with Gatorade, a piece of bread, and last, but not least, two antibiotic pills.

Whew!

I read a comment on my Facebook wall that being a mom should be considered a sport.

I totally agree.

In fact, I think there should be an Olympics just for moms of sick children…

Some suggested events:

  • Race to deliver the puke bucket to the child before the child explodes with vomit
  • Race to respond to the child’s bed after the bell has been rung for attention
  • Race to see who can get the medicine down a stubborn child’s throat the quickest
  • Prize for most creative way to get medicine into an uncooperative child’s body
  • Endurance test for who can stand and walk/rock a sick baby the longest
  • Race to see who can complete the most cleaning chores while carrying a sick child around in her arms

Although I am not a naturally-gifted athlete in a “real” sports arena, I think it’s safe to say that I could certainly hold my own in a Mom Dash competition!  Yesterday’s events reminded me of this fact.