Doctors appts during RSV season

jennbent

DS was a 28 weeker born at 1 lb. 3 oz.  He came home 5 weeks ago on oxygen and an apnea monitor.  We're keeping very busy with appointment after appointment for the seven different specialists/doctors/therapists he sees.  We have four appointments this week alone!  I expected this when bringing him home, but what frustrates me are the obviously sick people in the waiting room that we have to sit with.  This morning for instance, he had yet another eye exam.  We sat there for an hour in a crowded waiting room probably five feet away from a lady that was hacking up a lung. 

We've been told over and over again to keep family and friends away from him and keep him on lockdown to avoid getting sick, but I genuinely fear he could pick something up at one of his numerous doctor's appointments.  Seems back-asswards if you ask me. 

This post is probably more of a vent than anything else.  But I guess I'm wondering if I should do anything different?  I try to keep him covered in his stroller but sometimes he wants to be held (like this morning). Now that cold/flu season is starting, should I ask the office staff to wait elsewhere? 

jcsntms06

At our pedi's office they have a well and sick patient waiting room. Although I know that kids are going to get sick just about anywhere during flu/RSV season, it does help with the anxiety.

You could ask the wait staff if they have another room. It really can't hurt. Hang in there. 

jennbent

Yeah our pedi's office has the sick/well waiting rooms too.  They are the only ones though who do that.  Every other place we are just lumped in with everyone. 

jennbent

M&MHaveMyHeart:

At every appointment, we told the check in person (they were usually different, so they didn't really remember us) that we had a preemie & they would let us wait in a room.

I would ask them if there's an empty room you can sit in since you do have a preemie & they are more susceptible to illness. 

Okay will do.  I thought I should've done that this morning and I already regret not doing so.  I need to get more aggressive.  Just wasn't sure if this is what others do or not.

urbanflowerpot

I wear DS in a mei tai when at appts - I don't think that'll work well for as long as they make me wait this season, but that's OK this year. You don't have a ticker so I'm not sure how old your LO is now. I think the actual patient rooms are crawling with germs, too, though not direct contact with other kids - know what I mean? The pedi is a gross place. I saw BW as much as you can while there.

ijustcantthinkrightnow

Our Ped's office has a to separate waiting rooms for sick and well patients but they also were great about getting us in a room ASAP or I waited in the car and they would get us when a room was open (which rarely happened). Our eye doctor was very proactive as well. The NICU clinic of all places was less then stellar and we dealt with waiting and sick kids a lot. I tried to keep a light receiving blanket I've their car seats and tried to sit as far away as possible or wait in the hall.

 It is frustrating for sure. 

jennbent

CurlingRocks:

Well, to summarize the nurse at our former pedi's office when I asked about the same thing...Sick kids have to go to the doctor too; you do what you can to minimize your child's exposure.nbsp; She was much less polite and concise.nbsp; Your kid has to go to the doctor, too.nbsp; I did a lot of Purelling there and sat as far away from others as possible.Best of luck!

Lovely. That nurse doesn't sound very nice. Lol

jennbent

urbanflowerpot:

I wear DS in a mei tai when at appts I don't think that'll work well for as long as they make me wait this season, but that's OK this year. You don't have a ticker so I'm not sure how old your LO is now. I think the actual patient rooms are crawling with germs, too, though not direct contact with other kids know what I mean? The pedi is a gross place. I saw BW as much as you can while there.

Sorry I really need to get a ticker since I've been posting a lot more lately. DS is almost 4 months actual/5 weeks adjusted. And yes, I do know what you mean about the entire place crawling with germs. I'd love to wear him but idk about doing it with the o2 and the apnea monitor?? I could push those in the stroller I guess. Is that what you did? Didn't you have an apnea monitor when you guys came home?

urbanflowerpot

jennbent:

urbanflowerpot:

I wear DS in a mei tai when at appts I don't think that'll work well for as long as they make me wait this season, but that's OK this year. You don't have a ticker so I'm not sure how old your LO is now. I think the actual patient rooms are crawling with germs, too, though not direct contact with other kids know what I mean? The pedi is a gross place. I saw BW as much as you can while there.

Sorry I really need to get a ticker since I've been posting a lot more lately. DS is almost 4 months actual/5 weeks adjusted. And yes, I do know what you mean about the entire place crawling with germs. I'd love to wear him but idk about doing it with the o2 and the apnea monitor?? I could push those in the stroller I guess. Is that what you did? Didn't you have an apnea monitor when you guys came home?

That's true - you could keep a wrap in your car/baby bag for crowded/public spots. Yeah, we were on the apnea monitor for four months post-NICU 2-3 months was all day/night and the end was just at night. I wore him in a BabyHawk or Moby at that time. I put the monitor strap in a cross-carry and tucked the wires into the wrap. I can post a photo if you'd like. I'm not sure how I'd work the O, though.  

kayjay10

Usm123:

All of the above! Also, if another room isn't available after you explain your situation to the front desk, I would give them my cell number and tell them I'll wait in the car until they are ready for us. The sick and well child areas at our pedi makes me just as nervous because the are only separated by a half wall and I know kids run back and forth.

This!  Our ped's office is in the same building with other non-medical offices and there is a main lobby.  We wait in the main lobby and have the receptionist call my cell when it's our appt time.  DD is now almost 16 months old and I still do this each visit.  Even when she was sick with a cold, I waited in the lobby because there was a stomach bug going around.

jennbent

urbanflowerpot:

jennbent:

urbanflowerpot:

I wear DS in a mei tai when at appts I don't think that'll work well for as long as they make me wait this season, but that's OK this year. You don't have a ticker so I'm not sure how old your LO is now. I think the actual patient rooms are crawling with germs, too, though not direct contact with other kids know what I mean? The pedi is a gross place. I saw BW as much as you can while there.

Sorry I really need to get a ticker since I've been posting a lot more lately. DS is almost 4 months actual/5 weeks adjusted. And yes, I do know what you mean about the entire place crawling with germs. I'd love to wear him but idk about doing it with the o2 and the apnea monitor?? I could push those in the stroller I guess. Is that what you did? Didn't you have an apnea monitor when you guys came home?

That's true - you could keep a wrap in your car/baby bag for crowded/public spots. Yeah, we were on the apnea monitor for four months post-NICU 2-3 months was all day/night and the end was just at night. I wore him in a BabyHawk or Moby at that time. I put the monitor strap in a cross-carry and tucked the wires into the wrap. I can post a photo if you'd like. I'm not sure how I'd work the O, though.  

Yes! I'd love to see a photo. Im sure we'll be on the monitor that long too. thanks for your help!!

jennbent

urbanflowerpot:

jennbent:

urbanflowerpot:

I wear DS in a mei tai when at appts I don't think that'll work well for as long as they make me wait this season, but that's OK this year. You don't have a ticker so I'm not sure how old your LO is now. I think the actual patient rooms are crawling with germs, too, though not direct contact with other kids know what I mean? The pedi is a gross place. I saw BW as much as you can while there.

Sorry I really need to get a ticker since I've been posting a lot more lately. DS is almost 4 months actual/5 weeks adjusted. And yes, I do know what you mean about the entire place crawling with germs. I'd love to wear him but idk about doing it with the o2 and the apnea monitor?? I could push those in the stroller I guess. Is that what you did? Didn't you have an apnea monitor when you guys came home?

That's true - you could keep a wrap in your car/baby bag for crowded/public spots. Yeah, we were on the apnea monitor for four months post-NICU 2-3 months was all day/night and the end was just at night. I wore him in a BabyHawk or Moby at that time. I put the monitor strap in a cross-carry and tucked the wires into the wrap. I can post a photo if you'd like. I'm not sure how I'd work the O, though.  

Yes! I'd love to see a photo. Im sure we'll be on the monitor that long too. thanks for your help!!