A knock came at the door and as Mariana was on her way to open it, Stef stopped her. "It's ok honey, I got it. It's just Dr. Carlson."
"Dr. Carlson? What's she doing here? Ooo! Is she bringing Jackson with her?" Mariana said wiggling her eyebrows
"I don't think so honey." Stef said laughing. Stef made her way to the door and let the doctor in. "Hi Leslie. Thanks for coming."
"It's no problem at all. I just love coming to your house. So, where's our patient?" Dr. Carlson asked.
"Still sleeping from what I know. Lena was trying to bring down her fever with cool cloths." Stef motioned for Leslie to follow her upstairs to the girls room.
Dr. Carlson followed Stef up to the girls room and found Lena sitting in a chair and Callie asleep with a cloth on her forehead. The girl looked pale and sick. She went into the room and said hi to Lena. "Lena, how are you?"
"Well, I'm good. Just worried about Bug here. And I just checked her phone and she has an alarm set for another 23 min. so she can wake up to do homework." Lena said exasperated.
"Go ahead and turn it off. Leslie will probably need to wake her up anyway." Stef looked at her friend. "Right?"
"Eventually, I will need her awake, but for right now let me check her like this so she can get a couple more minutes of rest." Leslie said.
Lena turned off the alarm and moved to stand by Stef so that Leslie could have better access to Callie.
The doctor checked Callie's temperature first." 99.7º, the cool cloths are working. You guys haven't given her anything for the fever have you?"
"Not since we gave her her meds about 2 hours ago." Lena went to get all the pills that Callie was prescribed so that the doctor can check them. "This is what we picked up at the pharmacy this afternoon on our way home from the hospital."
Leslie started to read the labels then asked. "Where did you say the bee stung her?"
"In the back of the neck. Just here." Lena lifted Callie's hair and showed Leslie the small red welt she still had. It didn't look bad. Just a little swollen and red but nothing that would make it stand out. They had both seen bee stings and been stung by bees before. So they knew what to expect.
Dr. Carlson touched the sting site to see if it was hot to the touch. But she didn't feel a difference from the girls feverish skin to the sting sight. She then decided that she needed to wake Callie up. She had to ask the teen how she felt and if the site was bothering her. "Do you guys want to wake her up or should I?"
Stef looked at Lena and nodded. "I'll do it. She might get alarmed if she sees you first." Lena stated. The doctor and Lena switched places by Callie's bed. "Hey Bug. Wake up." Lena started to run her fingers down Callie's back. "Come on sweety open those big beautiful brown eyes for me." At this Stef and Leslie smiled. The love that Lena had for this girl was unmeasurable. Even though everyone could see the bond between Stef and the girl was different, Lena never loved her less or felt bad about it. "Bug, I need you to wake up." Callie started to stir and shifted in bed.
"Five more minutes momma. Please… I'm still really sleepy." Callie mumbled in her sleep.
At this Stef decided to intervene. She sat at the foot of the bed. "Come on Cal. we need you to wake up. I know you're tired slug-a-bug but you need to wake up for us." Stef started to rub the girl's legs and tried to move her around.
Lena looked at the kid's doctor and said. "The medicine they gave her makes her drowsy. They told us at the pharmacy and the hospital, that she most likely won't feel up to going to school on Monday, but she's adamant about going and getting all her homework done this weekend."
When Callie shifted onto her back and opened her eyes, she smiled at her moms. "Hi…" she said groggily. Did I not hear my alarm?" She started to stretch and yawn. Then she focused on the room and who was in it. She noticed the doctor standing behind her moms. "Hi Dr. C." Then she looked at her moms. "What's going on?"
"Honey we called Dr. C in, because when we came to check on you earlier you had a fever. We we're trying to get it down without waking you, but it's not going down fast enough." Lena said calmly to her daughter. As she moved a strand of hair behind her ear. She didn't want to scare her.
"My fever came back?" Callie asked still half asleep.
"Yeah sweets. It did. You we're at 100º flat. You felt warmer because you were asleep but when we checked, you registered with a fever." Stef patted her leg. "Dr. C just wants to check you out and make sure your infection isn't coming back."
Callie looked between both her moms and just nodded. Then she sat up in bed. "Can I go to the bathroom first. I want to brush my teeth and stuff."
Dr. C was the one that answered. "Go right ahead. I'll set up while you're in there."
Callie nodded and went to get out of bed. The moms moved so she could get out. But when she went to stand she swayed a little and both moms were right there to steady her.
"Woah Bug. You ok? Lena asked concerned.
"Yeah, just got up too fast I guess." Callie said. She was opening and closing her eyes like she was trying to focus.
"Sit down Callie let me check you over really quick." Dr. C said while helping the girl sit back down on the bed.
"I'm fine, really. I just stood up too fast." Callie tried to explain. Truth was she felt a little off.
"Well then let's make sure that's all it really is. I'll give you a check up and if everything checks out, then great, no harm no foul." She started to take out her blood pressure cuff and stethoscope from her bag. "Ok, let's check your blood pressure." She steeped the cuff oh Callie's arm with the stethoscope under it in the crook of her elbow and started to pump. "Hmm. 91/62 that's a little low. It's not low low but not normal for you. Let's check your pulse. Ok that's a little on the low side as well. It's 58. Callie how's your breathing? Do you feel out of breath? Is it difficult to take deep breaths?"
At this Callie took a deep breath. She didn't feel like it was difficult. She was just tired. "No it feels normal. I'm just tired."
"Ok turn sideways so I can listen to your lungs." Callie turned and the doctor put the chest piece on her back. "Ok deep breaths when I tell you ok?"
"Uhum" Callie mumbled
"Ok one, good, two, good, again, ok good, and last one. Good. Now other side. One…, two… , again… ok last one… great. Well her lungs sound clear. Let me look at your ears, nose and throat." She pulled out the otoscope and a tongue depressor. First she looked at her ears. "Well I see a little redness. But nothing major you might be getting an ear infection.
"Let's see your nose. That looks clear. And open wide and say AH." She pressed down with the stick and shined the light in. "Well I can see a little redness and swelling in there."
"What does that mean?" Lena asked.
"It means that her allergic reaction is still going on. The swelling is still present. Her temperature is a little high. The meds they have her on make her sleepy and lethargic like. Which is why she feels the way she does. I just don't think the dosage is right for her." Leslie looked a little confused.
"What do you mean?" Stef asked confused.
"Well, from what you told me her reaction was strong and it came on fast. So did the infection. I think the dose of antihistamine should be higher. And I would have chosen a different antibiotic because she has a history of having a high tolerance to them." Leslie said. "Also," she looked at Callie for a moment before turning back to the moms. "I'm sorry Callie, but I would have kept her another night in the hospital. This was her first ever reaction and anaphylactic shock is no joke. I want her In my office Monday morning for another check up and if I need to adjust her meds I will. We can also schedule the allergy test for the other four children that day." Leslie said.
"What about Callie's? She needs the allergy test too right?" Lena asked.
"Oh, most definitely. We just can't do it while she's like this. She has to be 100% well for us to get accurate results. So when I think she can, I will schedule hers. Did you guys get epipens?" Leslie asked.
"Yeah they gave us 6. 3-2 packs." Lena said while rubbing Callies back.
"Ok good did they explain how to use them?" Dr. C asked.
"Yes." Callie answered.
"And we explained it to the other kids just in case." Lena stated.
"Good, it's important that everyone in the family knows how to use them." She looked at Callie. "Callie, you have to be careful and mindful. The reaction you had was serious and you could die. I'm not saying this to scare or traumatize you. I just need you to understand the seriousness of the situation. Ok?" Dr. C was a no nonsense kind of doctor.
"Ok. I get it. One question though." Callie really needed to know.
"Go ahead, shoot." The doctor said while looking at Callie.
"Do I really need a medical ID bracelet?" She really didn't want to wear one. She didn't want anyone at school to know. She already had a hard time making friends and she didn't want anything else to make her different.
"Yes. No doubt about it. It could save your life. I assume your mom's talked to you about it?" She asked looking between Callie and the moms.
"Yeah they said after I have the allergy test that I'm getting one. They want to put all the info that needs to be on it." Callie looked uncomfortable. "I don't want one. I'm different enough as it is. And this is like a huge sign that will set me apart even more."
"Well Callie, I want you to have one too. It's very important that in case of an emergency, people know what to do. If you don't have a bracelet on they might not know what to do. That's very dangerous." She looked at Callie. "I think it's wise to get the bracelet and to wait for the results of the allergy test to do it. That way, they can get all the correct information on it. It could save your life." She wanted to make sure the girl understood the severity of the situation.
Callie simply looked at her lap and nodded.
"Ok Callie I want you to rest and take your meds. If you feel funny tell you're mom's and I'll see you Monday morning ok." Dr. C said while she put her equipment away.
"Can I go to school after the appointment. I don't want to fall behind." Callie asked hopeful.
"That's for me to determine on Monday, but as of today I would say no. You still have a low grade fever. That means either the antibiotics are not working like they are supposed to or you're infection is bigger than we think." The doctor said and stood up.
"So I could get sicker? Figures nothing is ever easy for me." She looked at her moms. "Why does everything have to be so hard?" Callie was done with this. Why did everything have to be so hard for her. She couldn't just get sick like normal teens.
"Oh baby." Lena said as she sat next to her on the bed and hugged her. "I'm sorry. I know it feels that way. But you're going to be OK."
Stef moved to sit on her other side and hugged her too making a mama sandwich. "Once we figure out what you need it will get better and easier to manage. You'll see."
"Why can't I just be normal? Even for people with allergies I have to be different." Feverish Callie emotions we're taking over. She looked exhausted and sick.
"So we just keep with the same meds until Monday?" Stef asked as she hugged her daughter.
"Yes, till Monday. I'll run some test and then I'll be sure in how to treat her better. I just don't want to change anything without knowledge." She then looked at Callie. "Keep up with your meds, and get lots of rest. I wouldn't count on school on Monday so don't worry about homework just yet. Take it easy. And remember, being normal, is not normal. Different is." And with that Doctor Carlson left Callie's room followed by Stef while Lena stayed with Callie.
"So Leslie what do you think?" Stef asked on there way to the door.
Leslie waited until they were by the stairs to answer. "I think the doctor should have kept her in the hospital at least one more day. She's still not well. The allergic reaction she suffered was worst than you guys think. I can still see some swelling that the meds should have taken care of." Leslie looked worried.
"Should we take her back to the ER?" Stef automatically got worried.
"No, I don't think it's necessary. That would just upset her. She needs to rest. Just wait it out till Monday, but if you notice any changes call me. I'll come back and if I think we should book it to the ER, I'll call an ambulance." Leslie reassured her.
"Ok, if you think that's what's best, it's what we'll do." Stef just wanted her daughter to get better. At this point she would do anything even upset Callie by taking her back to the hospital.
"Just keep her hydrated and have her rest. I can tell she's really tired she shouldn't put up to much of a fight." Leslie said heading towards the door.
"Ha! That's what you think. She going to fight us. You can trust me on that. She's going to want to go to school. She hates falling behind and it gives her that sense that of normalcy that she craves." Stef said while looking up at the ceiling where Callies room would be.
"Well I guess she's going to have to take really good care of herself. Because I don't plan on letting her go if she's not better. Her health is my first priority." Leslie smiled. She new the girl could be stubborn but she could be even more.
"Thank you for that. Well, have a good rest of the weekend. Thank you for coming and again I'm sorry for bothering you on your day off. I'll talk to Lena so we can call you and plan on dinner as thank you." Stef shook her hand.
"I would love to, thank you. BYE" Leslie shook Stef's hand and exited the house.
"Bye." Stef said.
Stef made her way back to Callie's room and found Lena laying on the bed with a half asleep Callie snuggled in her arms. "How do you feel sweets?"
"Really tired." She mumbled.
Stef looked at her and noticed that her eyes we're more puffy and her face looked redder. She just wasn't sure if it was from the reaction getting worse or from all the crying. "Just tired? Please love I NEED you to be honest with me. Do you just feel tired?
Callie took a deep breath and shook her head no. "I feel drugged, and achey. My head hurts and I'm cold…"
"Oh honey, why didn't you say anything? We could have addressed this with the doctor." Lena said while trying to look at her daughter's face.
"I didn't want to go back to the hospital. I hate hospitals. I just wanted to stay home." Callie was starting to get worked up again.
"I understand that Bug, but what if you got a lot worst.? Right now you just have a low grade fever but you could get sicker and we don't want that. It hurts us to see you suffer." Stef said very calmly. She didn't want to upset her more.
"I'm sorry moms. I'm sorry." Callie had started to cry. She just kept hugging Lena tighter and tighter.
Lena looked over at Stef with worried eyes. Their daughter was suffering and all they could do was hold her. "Bug how about me and you go take a nap in my bed? It's much bigger and more comfortable. We can sleep for a little while. I promise to stay with you."
Callie just nodded her head. Her eyes hooded and red. Stef gave her a tissue so she could clean up.
Lena helped her get up from the bed and put her arm around her waist to give the teen support. She leaned heavily into her mother, giving away just how weak she was.
Stef went ahead to turn down the bed. When Lena and Callie arrived she had the bed ready for them. She went into the bathroom and got some Tylenol for Callie to see if they could get rid of the fever. When she came back into the room she found the two in just about the same position as they were in Callie's bed. She gave Lena the water to hold, and tried to get Callie to take the pills.
"Bug please, just a little bit and then I will sleep with you." Lena said
"You promise? I don't want to be alone anymore." Callie looked so small and vulnerable.
"I promise bug. We won't leave you alone ever. Me and mom will always be here for you." Lena just wanted her girl to get better.
"I'm always alone when I get sick. I just suck it up and go to school." Callie stated.
The moms noticed she was rambling at this point. They got her to take the tylenol and drink some water. Stef took the water from her and tucked both of them in. She then kissed Callie and her wife and left the room.
After a couple of minutes Lena noticed that her daughter's breaths had evened out. She was finally asleep.
Just want to say sorry! I know it's taking me awhile to post updates but I work in retail and the holidays are our busiest time. Please bare with me and have patience. I will try my best to have at least 1 new chapter before january so... hang in there. Also i would like to thank you all for the great reviews and all the ideas. I have actually taken some into consideration and others I had already thought of, but none the less it shows that I'm headed in the right direction with this story. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.