Thank God for Small Miracles

There was no IV. Thank you God. It was not something I wanted, and to be honest I wasn't sure he needed it. I'm not a trained MD. I majored in human physiology as an undergrad, completed a Masters in Developmental Cardiology and spent 2 years in an immunology lab so I have some understanding of the body's homeostasis and response to stress mechanisms despite what some family members think.

That said, I prefer to err on the side of caution.

As you all know, the monkey has not been well. I thought on Monday night he was turning a corner but I was proved wrong on Tuesday. Although he was finally agreeing to take some fluids (milk primarily) and was more active - he helped to take down the Christmas tree decorations before deciding that it was way too exhausting. By Tuesday afternoon he was back to being needy and lethargic. Just plain sick. At 4pm I took him to our family doctor (who has a sub in right now). The sub weighed him, checked him out and decided that monkey had a GI virus (gee thanks doc!). The parent(-in-law)s, demand I go to the doctor when I know that she is going to say its just a virus, nothing we can do. But then again what do I know.
The main concern for the monkey was dehydration. I was told to give the him 1-2 ounces of Pedialyte/Gatorade/random NaH20 combo every 20 minutes and to weigh him every hour. If his weight did not start to trend upward by midnight I was instructed take him to the ER for an IV.
His weight did not trend upward but he was drinking alot of milk (>500ml that night) and was acting a bit better, ie poops were thickening. Not solid but thickening. He was more mentally and physically active. He slept well through the night, waking up only 2x to tell he had to poo (some how by magic the boy has figured to poo on the toilet!). If only he would drink than damn hydrating liquids.
This morning he was definitely more mentally and physically active. He ate half a slice of bread and was keeping up a steady milk intake. Still REFUSING any H2O/Gatorade/Pedialyte - you the hydrating liquids! His nose started to run and his lips were less chapped, but he was not gaining weight. The scientist in me was looking at the data and saying "yep he's OK, no need for an IV"
The mother in me kept saying "what if you're wrong?" "its only 2 hours in the ER, whats the Big freaking deal?"
I went with better safe than sorry. I was in and out in <1.5 hours with no IV.
Thank God for small miracles and for a country that provides universal health care. I didn't have to even think about whether I could afford to take him. My only concern was whether I was being paranoid.
The doc there wasn't sure how long it will take to recover. Personally, I love my son but I am done with the cuddles. They're not fun when he's sick. I've been glued to a couch for 72hours and am suffering cabin fever. I want my crazy, bouncing off the walls, climbing over counters to get around the baby gate monkey back. I know after 2 hours I will want to throw him out a window but I really love that feeling much much more.

Thank you everyone for your well wishes. Here's to hoping a healthier 2009 for the boy and me!

Happy New Year to everyone. May all you wish for happen!