Oct 18 2009
The Best-Laid Plans . . .
When we travel, we lay out the best plans we can, and usually they work out quite well. Aside from traffic delays or weather inconveniences, we take for granted that we’re going to get to where we’re going, do what we have planned, and then head for home.
But sometimes travel plans don’t go so well.
Our family has a fall tradition during the long weekend of teacher’s convention. My husband is usually busy on the farm, with harvest in full swing, so I take the kids to North Dakota to see my family and friends. We leave after school on Wednesday, spend Thursday and Friday with my parents, visit with friends on Saturday, and head home on Sunday. Sometimes we fit in an outing like the Homecoming Parade, and usually the weather’s nice and we spend time outside, enjoying the fall weather.
This year’s trip has been different. We left behind our Minnesota Columbus Day snow only to drive back into it as we neared the North Dakota border. I discovered I had a headlight out, so instead of driving the speed limit of 75 mph in North Dakota, snow cover and limited visibility had me cruising at a mere 40.
The weather was gloomy the whole weekend, so our outdoor activities were limited. My dad fixed the headlight, only to have it fail again two days later, taking a taillight with it.
The biggest wrinkle in our plans happened yesterday, however. After coughing at night on Thursday and Friday, my eight-year-old son seemed to be having troulbe breathing. We went to urgent care and encountered a room full of masked people. After two hours of waiting, we were in the ER with breathing treatments and a doctor trying his best throughout the afternoon and evening to improve the condition enough to send us home. At 10:30 p.m., we were sent up to the pediatric floor and my son was admitted to the hospital, and it’s from his room that I write now.
We are fortunate to have good friends and family nearby, and they’ve been taking care of my other three children, and, good or bad, I’ve had hospital experience with children before, so I knew some of what to expect.
Others have told us of their travel-medical nightmares. I was feeling that this isn’t so bad after hearing a woman tell of her daughter, who grew feverish on a trip from the U.S. to England and had be hospitalized for a week and a half while there, and whose return trip was jeopardized because of passport complications. I could have been on the road alone with the kids when the medical emergency struck, in a strange town with four children to keep entertained while in the waiting room. I know that others have had more serious illnesses while traveling than what we’ve encountered.
It looks as if our delay home will be delayed by a day, as we are hoping to be released later today or tomorrow. No, this isn’t what I had planned for this trip, but we’ll get through it, and we won’t let it stop our spirit of adventure. We just have to remember that although we can plan as much as possible, things can always happen that change those plans.
Oh my! Thank God you have friends nearby to take care of your other three allowing you to focus on your son. I hope he has a quick recovery! Safe Travels!
This is such a truthful post that will resonate with parents who have encountered illness while traveling. We have also – in a BIG way – with a 3rd world hospital and a 4 year old. I’m still so disconcerted about the situation that I haven’t written about it yet, but at some point I’ll post the story to my blog. Thanks for opening up the topic – it’s a good reality check.
Lorraine´s last blog ..Autumn in Bear Country
Sending you my best wishes. I have an asthmatic kid, so I can relate. These kinds of thing make you realize it’s not about the best-laid plans, but the best possible outcomes. Take it easy and safe travels back home.
Hope your kid recovers well. Thanks for sharing such a hard experience. It’s always hard to get sick on vacation.
Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog ..Fun Corn Maze at Dusk with Kids at Uncle Shuck’s
Sorry to hear your news! Sending good thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Thinking of you and hoping your son is released and better soon!
xo
Kara
Kara´s last blog ..Celebrate Hôtel de Glace’s 10th Anniversary
Oh dear! I hope your son recovers soon.
I’ve had a couple of child-in-hospital experiences and one ER-in-another-country experience. Even when you think you’re doing fine, it’s all very stressful. Make sure you plan to give yourself some downtime without your children when you get home – you deserve it.
Michelle
wandermom´s last blog ..Sydney Accommodation: Finding A Vacation Rental
Ah! noticed my name is associated with my old blog when I left that comment. I’m leaving this comment just so it’s all set up right for the next time
wandermom´s last blog ..Lands’ End Kid’s Winter Outerwear Giveaway
As the name of your blog implies, Travels with Children, is another ball game. Plan B sometimes goes to Plan C and then back to Plan A.
Sending good thoughts and speedy recovery your way. What a Trip!
Oh I HATE being sick away from home. And I’m so sorry that your child wound up in the hospital. As Nancy said, travels with children is another ball game.
My worst experience was when traveling alone, though. I was hit by a very bad digestive ailment quite suddenly in the evening while I was staying at a nice hotel in Santa Fe after dinner at a respectable restaurant. (But, come to think of it, lunch at a dicey place). The day staff had gone home and I couldn’t get anybody to go to the pharmacy for me until after midnight. Finally called 911, but the guys on the ambulance suggested it would cost me a bundle to go to the hospital so I should stay in the hotel room. I was very weak and the next morning drug myself to the dining room and asked for plain chicken broth, which they claimed not to have… and so it went.
No fun!