WDYD when you are "on death's door?"

kmc217 · May 2013

I work PT and have nicely timed the worst sickness I think of my life (as in last night I was so sick I almost drove myself to the ER) for my day off and a day when DH absolutely cannot be out of work (he is running an injection clinic at an ortho office and there is literally no one else trained for it and 20+ patients scheduled). I called my mom who is a teacher but is retiring in 1 month and she just called back and said her principle told her it didn't matter about meetings she was supposed to attend and she is on her way over to drive me to my doctor and watch my kids until DH is home probably at 7pm tonight. I was just wondering what in the world I would do if I didn't have her to do this.

I should add... this isn't just run of the mill sick... I'm a nurse and in my head know I could very well end up being sent to the hospital from my MD office and there is just no way I could function at home with my kids in any way today and I do not have a big network of SAHM friends - just a couple who both have infants and my DD2 is also sick so I couldn't expose them to her.

What do other SAHMs do when this sick? Obviously it doesn't happen often... just had me thinking.

notkateanymore · May 2013

My parents or my aunt help out when I'm really sick or DH does. Hope you feel better! It's great that your mom can come help!

kcisthebombdotcom · May 2013

The one time I was seriously sick dh stayed home for two days. On the third day when he needed to go back in to get stuff done he dropped the kids off at my moms on the way in and picked them up on his way home.

hope you feel better soon!

kmc217 · May 2013

It is a respiratory issue-- I have asthma that has been tricky this pregnancy and I caught my girls' virus and now have horrible burning chest, nonstop barking cough and can barely hold my head up. I'm certain I need breathing treatments and steroids but not sure what will be baby-safe. As an added bonus I have an irritable uterus this pregnancy and my constant coughing fits are triggering massive contractions. I am so grateful for my mom. My dad used to be my go-to and it's been hard since he passed away. We don't have a ton of family nearby.

holz · May 2013

I don't even know. My mom's a 3 hour drive away, she'd do it if she could... The one time I had a horrible stomach virus and DH was on duty, she was on vacation. We all just kind of parked in front of the TV and rode it out, but it wasn't pretty.

This is why I need to find a good babysitter around here.

Arnegard · May 2013

I'd lay on the couch as they watched TV/played. I have plenty of friends but probably wouldn't call.

caybeh · May 2013

Arnegard:
I'd lay on the couch as they watched TV/played. I have plenty of friends but probably wouldn't call.

This! My H started a new job last Dec, so he doesn't have a lot of vacation time saved up yet. At his last job, he had so much time saved up that he would just stay home if I needed him too.

Hope you feel better soon!

ToBeMrsT · May 2013

Dh would have to help or I would be on my own. I don't have anyone else to ask.

bridein08 · May 2013

My DH also cannot easily get out of work many times, so when I was very ill recently, I called my mom on a whim. She works full-time, but dropped everything to come take DS for the day. I am lucky! I know friends who just have to suck it up and lay on the couch while their LOs (hopefully) play quietly.

Cherryblossoms07 · May 2013

ToBeMrsT:
Dh would have to help or I would be on my own. nbsp;I don't have anyone else to ask.

This. This has not been a good week in this house. DH couldn't take off work and DD, DS, and I were all sick. Luckily they slept longer than usual since they were sick also.

Ilumine · May 2013

Being military, I have always cultivated reciprocity relationship with a handful of friends.

From scheduled monthly babysitting to emergency sitting and even shopping trips.

Since we retired, I have continued this trend (we are a 5 hour flights away from our nearest relative). So far I have only had to use it once, but have offered up my home a handful of times.

JenniCollins · May 2013

Thankfully I haven't run into this situation yet. I have a few SAHM friends in the neighborhood who (hopefully) could watch DD if I needed them too.

Today I am watching twins for a mom friend (she's a teacher) who's babysitter quit yesterday. She has 8 days left of school and her inlaws can only watch the kids 6 of those days so I stepped in for the other 2. There was no way she could get time off work this late in the school year and her husband is out of town for work.

bumpuser8448316 · May 2013

That sounds scary, hope you are feeling better soon!

My parents and MIL are all retired and live about 20-30 minutes away so if I really need help I call them. Otherwise DS gets a lot of TV and iPad time. There was once I was so sick that I locked DS and I in my bedroom with the ipad and a bunch of toys & books and laid down and slept.

khill86 · May 2013

Either DH would stay home if it was possible or I'd ask MIL to pick up DS or have DH bring DS to MIL on his way to work.

If MIL was away or couldn't watch DS, I'd go to their house anyway. They live right beside DH's work, so at the very, very least DH could check on me every once in a while and bring DS into the office for the ladies to visit with him for an hour. Ha!

Mc_Newlywed · May 2013

I ride it out. My friends kids are now in school and between pickups and activities they just aren't available. My family is in another state. And my MIL doesn't drive on highways.

I have a tent that I refer to as the "migraine tent" because it only comes out when I need it. We curl up inside and watch tv or she reads to me while I doze or we have snacks. I dunno... even with a full blown migraine and vomiting we've always managed.

mrswright2006 · May 2013

My whole family pitches in. Usually it is DH taking the day off work and watching the kids, but one of the last times my Adenomyosis sent pain radiating through my body, DH was in Texas for work. I called my Dad, who took DD to school. He called my uncle to sit with me and watch DS until he got back, and then my dad came back and watched DS until my mom could leave work. My MIL came down when my mom had to return to work for the afternoon... If my parents are unavailable, I still have my Grandpa (and his girlfriend), and my two cousins, but I rarely get that desperate.

Spin313 · May 2013

My parents are both retired. When I had gallbladder surgery, they both helped out...especially my mom! If I was really sick, I know I could ask for their help.

chardonnay24 · May 2013

Either my H stays home or one of our parents takes A for the day.

If neither of those is an option, I just turn on the TV, throw cereal, milk, and pouches at him, and wait for death.

sbevmc09 · May 2013

If I really can't do it on my own MH can usually stay home. If not, I have family in the area as well as SAHM friends. I wouldn't want them to be exposed to my LO's illness, but if I were so sick that it were an emergency situation I'm sure I would be able to work out coverage. I know I would take their sick kids if I had to.