The three women made their way to the taco truck they would normally go to when they wanted real Mexican. They had the best tacos in town and everything was made with fresh ingredients. That was a big plus for Lena.
When they got to the taco truck Stef ordered all the food while Lena and Callie when to snag one of the picnic tables. That's when it hit Lena. Quickly she grabbed her bad and started to look inside, making sure she had an Epipen for Callie just in case.
Callie saw her momma looking in her bag frantically. "What's wrong? Did you forget something?" She asked.
"I'm looking for… aha! Found it!" She held up the epipen triumphantly like a great prize.
"Momma…?!" Callie whined. "That's what u were looking for? I don't see any bees around here… or trees for that matter." Callie whispered.
"You can never be too careful." Lena said to her daughter. Then she thought of something. "And by the way where are yours?"
"Umm… I uh… I… didn't bring my bag with me." Callie said nervously shifting her eyes to the table.
Lena was about to say something when Stef showed up with their food on a tray. "Ok my loves, here we go. Chicken tacos, extra sour cream and a lemonade for the Bug; chicken tacos extra salad and water for my lovely wife; and steak tacos all the way for me." when Stef looked at her girls she noticed the look on Lenas face and the fact that Callie was looking at the table. "What's going on? Everything ok?"
"Yeah mom everything is great. I'm starving. Thanks!" Callie said grabbing her food and taking a bite out of her tacos.
"Lena? Honey are you ok?" Stef asked her wife.
"Callie didn't bring her bag with her today." Lena stated. While looking at a very embarrassed teen. "She doesn't have an Epipen with her."
Stef looked at Callie. "what? Why not? You know you have to carry at least one with you at all times."
"I know I'm sorry. I didn't think we would be eating outside today. I thought we would go back home and then I would go to school. It's in my backpack." Callie tried defending herself.
"That's not an excuse and you know it. You HAVE to carry one with you all the time because plans change! What if we didn't have one and you got stung?" Stef said in a panic.
"Look I didn't think all this was going to happen! Plus it's not like I didn't pack it! It's in my backpack." Callie argued. She was starting to get very agitated and Lena could see it.
Lena put her hand on Stef's arm. "Stef calm down. I have one and you have one. Let's just eat for now." She then looked at Callie. "And we will finish this discussion in the car."
Stef took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that Callie."
"I'm sorry too mom. I really didn't think about plans changing and stuff like that. I'm just not used to this. Having this type of problem". She said quietly.
"I know love I'm sorry. I get it. And it's going to take some time to get in the habit of carrying one with you at all times. I get it." Stef said and Callie just nodded.
"Callie, it's ok, we just worry about you." Lena tried to sooth Callie.
"Let's just eat. We have to go back to the hospital and mom has to go home and get our bags." Callie said taking another bite of her tacos.
"Callie…" Stef started to say, but she was cut off by Callie.
"I just want to eat and get this hospital thing over with! So can we please just drop it!" Callie said, obviously frustrated.
"Callie, I get that you're frustrated, you don't feel well and you don't want to stay in the hospital, but that is no way to talk to us. Do you understand? You have words that don't involve yelling and disrespecting us. I suggest you use them. You are a very thin ice my dear, remember you're already grounded for a week. Would you like to double it? Because I can make that happen… Do you understand?" Stef said.
Callie looked at her moms and tears started to form in her eyes. She looked at the table, not being able to meet her mom's eyes and nodded her head. She was staring at her food wondering how a simple bee sting could have done this.
"Callie? I asked, do you understand? I want to hear you say it!" Stef said in a very serious tone.
"Yes, I understand." Callie said quietly.
"Good, now eat. We have a lot to do today." Stef started eating. But when she looked at Callie she was just staring at her food. "Cal, please eat."
Callie grabbed her taco and took a bite. And stef and Lena went back to eating as well. About two minutes later they heard Callie coughing. When they look up. Callie's face was red and She can't stop.
"Honey? Are you ok?" Lena asked her. She hands her her drink but she can't take it and keeps coughing.
Stef starts to pat Callie s back. Trying to help her. She seemed like she was choking. After a little bit Callie started to calm down. Took her drink and and a deep breath.
"Bug. What happened? Are you ok honey?" Lena asked while holding onto her hand.
"I don't know. I took a bit of the taco but I had a hard time swallowing. Like when you chew more than what you can eat. I couldn't breath but I couldn't swallow my food either." Callie said in a strangled voice while she took more sips of her lemonade.
"But are you ok?" Stef asked.
"Yeah, I think so…" Callie took another sip of her drink. "Um… can we… um… can we go back now?" She said with uncertainty.
"Go back home?" Stef asked.
"Callie… honey we have to take you back…" Lena started to say but was cut off by the teen.
"I know. To the hospital. Can we… um… go back now?" She looked scared and nervous. Callie would never ask to be taken to the hospital.
"Cal? Are you ok?" Lena asked while rubbing her back soothingly.
"Yeah just um… a little tired and um… I don't know. That was a little scary and it reminded me of whe. I couldn't breathe." Callie admitted to them.
Well um ok. Let's pick up and I'll drop you and momma at the hospital while I go get the bags. Um… anything special you want me to bring you?
"Yeah um… can you bring my backpack? It has all my homework and the books I'm reading." Callie let out a strangled shuckle, followed by some coughs. "If I'm going to be there for a few days I might as well get some work done. Right?"
Stef and Lena looked at each other and nodded. "Ok. Come on let's go." Lena put her arm around her daughter's shoulders and led her to the car while Stef got rid of the trash.
When she got to the car both mother and daughter were in the back seat and Callie had her head on Lenas shoulder with her eyes closed.
Stef glanced at them both then got in the passenger seat and started the car. The drive back to the hospital was quiet. Callie didn't say a word, she just stayed cuddling with Lena.
When they got to the hospital, sref parked at the entrance. Lena and Callie went to get out Stef also got out. She hugged Callie and kissed her forehead. "I'll be back in a few bug. Don't worry, everything will be alright. Either me or mama will stay with you every night and the other will be here during the day. We will not leave you alone. You are not alone in this. Love you."
Callie looked her head. She looked sad and tired. She hugged her mom back and gave her a kiss. "Love you too mom."
She then went to Lena. Hugged and kissed her. "Anything you need me to bring?"
"My book. The one that's on my bedside table." Lena said kissing her wife back.
"Ok I'll be back in a little bit my lovely ladies. Love you both very much." Stef said and got back in the car.
After she pulled away from the curb, Lena put her arm around Callie and they made their way into the hospital. They walked up to the admissions desk, were they saw an elderly, grandmother type looking nurse.
"Hello how may I help you?" The nurse asked.
"Hello my name is Lena Adams Foster , and I'm here to check in my daughter, Callie Adams Foster. Dr. Leslie Carlson want her admitted today." Lena said.
"Let me see here… Ah yes, here she is. We have a room ready for her. All you have to do is fill out this paperwork while I call someone to take you both up." The nurse said.
"Cal, why don't we go sit down so you can rest while I fill up this paperwork?" Lena said looking at Callie that was starting to lean on her more and more every minute.
Callie nodded and made her way to a chair. She felt really tired. And now that she thought about it, a little out of breath too. Her momma sat next to her with a clipboard and started to fill out all the forms. When she was done she took the clipboard to the front desk and turned them in.
"All done?" The nurse asked.
"Yes." Lena said. She then turned around to look at Callie. She had her eyes closed and she seemed to be trying to take deep breaths, but was falling short. "Um… is Dr. Carlson available right now?"
"I think she's in her office but I'm not sure if she has a patient of not." the nurse said while checking all the form to make sure everything was in order.
"Is there any way to find out?" Lena kept glancing back at Callie. She looked miserable.
"Sure let me call her office real quick. What would you like me to tell her?" the nurse picked up the phone.
"Um… tell her I'm here with Callie and that she doesn't feel well. Like she's having a little trouble breathing." Lena said.
"Is she ok? I can get her taken to the ER if we need to." the nurse stated then looked over at Callie. She did look a little pale. And she kept taking a deep breath every few seconds. Like if breathing wasn't enough.
"No it's ok. Just call Dr. C and tell her that she doesn't feel well. She knows why we're here." She then looked back at Callie. "My daughter isn't very fond of hospitals. The ER would just upset her."
"Ok." She picked up the phone and called the office. After talking for a couple of minutes she hung up and looked back at Lena. "the doctor said that as soon as she can she will come down, but if she gets worse before she gets here to let me know."
"Thank you." Lena said and then made her way back to her daughter.
"How do you feel Cal?" She said while touching her forehead to check for a fever. But she found her cool and clammy.
"I'm fine." Callie said quietly. She then opened her eyes and looked at her mother. "Is it going to be much longer?" She sounded a little out of br breath.
"No honey we just have to wait for Dr. C. to come down. As soon As she finishes with a patient she's seeing she will come down and get you set up. Ok?" Lena was starting to get worried.
After about fifteen minutes Dr. Carlson came down and saw Lena sitting next to a sick looking Callie. She could tell she was having a bit of trouble breathing and it looked like she has some perspiration on her forehead. "Hi Lena, Callie." When Callie opened her eyes, nodded then closed them again, she started to talk to Lena. "Has she said how she's feeling? She doesn't look well."
"No. She's just sitting there. She'll answer random questions but when I ask her if she's ok, She says she's fine." Lena said with concern in her voice.
At this point Callie opened her eyes and looked at both adults. "I'm right here you know."
Lena looked at her daughter and scolded her."CALLIE! Don't be rude." Then she turned to the doctor. "I'm so sorry. She gets cranky when she's sick…"
"I can see that." The Doctor said chuckling.
Lena then looked at Callie. "Apologize to Dr. C."
"I'm sorry Dr. C. It won't happen again." Callie said with remorse.
"It's ok Callie I understand. Let's get you into a room and checked out. I don't like the way you look." Dr. Carlson said.
Callie nodded and stood up, but when she did the world tilted she started to sway. Both Lena and the doctor grabbed a hold of her, one onto each arm. "I'm ok. Just stood up to fast."
Sit down Callie. Let me get you a wheelchair.
No really, I'm ok. I can walk.
Cal no arguing. Remember what you said.
Callie nodded and sat down.
A few seconds later the doctor showed up with a wheelchair. Lena helped Callie up and between her and the doctor they helped Callie into the wheelchair.
They made there way up to the 3rd floor, to pediatrics, to room 309. Then Lena helped Callie change and get into bed. Dr. Carlson came back after a few minutes to check Callie's vitals and to see how she was doing.
"Hey Callie, how are you feeling?" Dr. Carlson asked as she walked into the room with Callie's file.
"Better. I think I'm just tired."Callie stated so she wouldn't worry her mom any more than she already was.
"Well I'm going to check you over real quick then I'll leave you alone so you can nap. Ok?" Dr. Carlson said.
Callie nodded her head. The doctor proceeded to get her vitals. "Ok let's check your temperature. 99.9º. You have a low grade fever." She then got a blood pressure cuff. "Ok lets check your blood pressure. 89/60 that's a bit low. Let's check your oxygen levels." She clipped a oximeter to Callie's finger and waited for it to beep. "89, that's low too. Callie are you having trouble breathing?"
Callie looked at her mom and then at the doctor. "Yeah a little, my chest feels a bit tight."
Lena looked at Callie and brushed her bangs out of her face. "Thank you for telling the truth Bug." At that moment Lena's phone started to ring. "Oh it's mom Callie. I bet she's here and wants to know where we are. I'll take this outside. I'll be right back bug."
Dr. Carlson continued with the exam and kept asking Callie questions. "How are you holding up? Your heart rate is a little elevated."
"Ok, it's not too bad yet. I guess it's because my moms are here and I know you." Callie said truthfully. She hated hospitals and anything to do with medicine. She had a lot of bad experiences with doctors and stuff.
"Well if you need a break just let me know. I'll do what I can to keep you comfortable and relaxed." The doctor told her. "Now I know you hate needles, but since both your moms are here how about we get some blood samples real quick?" She started to connect Callie to a heart monitor, pressure cuff and and oximeter.
"I guess." Callie said unsure. At that moment both her moms walked into her room. When she saw Stef and Lena she sighed in relief. She didn't want to do the blood samples alone.
"I would normally give you something for the anxiety, but since we are here about allergic reactions, I want to limit the amount of medication we put you on." The doctor said.
"Hello sweets. Moma was telling me that you don't feel very good." Stef said as she made her way to Callie's bedside looking at all the equipment she was getting hooked up to.
"Hi mom. And I'm fine. Really. Just tired and a little out of breath. But ok." Callie said trying not to worry her moms.
"Oh bug. You are not fine. Being out of breath is not normal. But you're going to be. You'll see." Stef kissed her forehead.
"I was just telling Callie that I want to get some blood samples and run a few tests to make sure we don't have any complications." Dr. C. said.
"Well looks like we're just in time. Huh, bug." Lena said while holding Callie's hand and brushing some hair off her face.
Callie gave her moms a small smile. They new she hated needles and they always made sure she wasn't alone when she had to get shots and stuff. They found out just how much she hated them when they took her in for a check up and she had to get a vaccine. She nearly broke down.
"Hey Cal, I brought your laptop. Why don't you start looking for medical ID bracelets and see if you find one you like?" Stef said.
"Yeah that's a good idea. Let's look them up. I'm sure we can find one that you'll like. Nothing to girly or obvious." Lena pulled the hospital rolling table up to Callie's bed and got the laptop setup while Callie sat up on the bed. "Go ahead and log in bug."
"Hey mom?" Callie said while logging in to the computer.
"Yeah love?" Her mom answered.
"Can I get some water please?" Callie asked Stef. She was a bit thirsty.
"Sure bug, I'll be right back." Stef said. After a few minutes Stef returned with the pitcher full of water and a to go box. "Here bug." She said pouring a glass of water and handing it to Callie. "And I brought your tacos. You never finished your lunch you must be hungry."
"Thanks mom but I'm not really hungry…" Callie said while taking the glass from her mom.
Lena looked at her daughter. "Honey, you need to eat. It's almost two in the afternoon and all you ate was breakfast and less than half a taco."
"Mom's, I'm really not hungry." Callie handed Stef the cup and started her search on the computer.
Lena raised her eyebrows. "Care to try that again?"
Callie looked at both her mom's and sighed. "I'll eat what I can."
"Much better. Now, let's search for these bracelets and we what we can find."Lena said while sitting next to callie on the bed.
Callie and Lena sat in bed liking at bracelets online and Stef kept reminding Callie to eat. She ate about a taco and a half before Stef told her it was ok. Her and Lena saw a lot of bracelets and found some that Callie actually liked. They didn't necessarily look like ID bracelets and were kind of cute. She liked the leather bracelets more and after looking for almost an hour they decided on the one they would order her when they were ready.
While they were on the laptop. The nurse had come in to take Callie's blood for the labs. Both mom's supported and soothed her. Stef had to hold her so she wouldn't move. But it relatively passed without any mayor hiccups. She finished her tacos with Stef and Lena reminding her to eat every couple of minutes.
After the decided on a bracelet they decided to watch a movie on the laptop. Lena sat in the chair next to callie's bed and Stef was laying down on the bed cuddling with Callie. After a while, Callie fell asleep. Stef moved off the bed very carefully, trying not to disturb her daughter.
They both made their way to the nurses station and asked for Dr. Carlson. Since Callie was asleep the mom's were able to talk to Dr. Carlson alone.
"Ok Leslie, so what's going to happen?" Stef asked the doctor.
"Well she's already presenting allergic reactions and she hasn't even been off her antihistamine twenty four hours yet. So we need to keep a close eye on her. As soon as we figure out what she's allergic to, we can change the medication and as long as nothing else happens, you can take her home."
"So she's going to be ok?" Stef asked.
"I don't see why not. As long as we can control her allergic reactions. In about a week or two you need to bring her back so we can get that allergy test done. I don't like the fact that in a few days she's had two separate allergic reactions we knew nothing about."
"Well she hasn't really gotten sick since she came to live with us. And her file didn't list any health issues. We assumed she was healthy." Lena stated.
"Yeah. That's what I got from her file as well. But now I want to do a full work up on her. This worries me. And if you guys are ok with it, I would like to also do one on Jude. Siblings sometimes share allergies and stuff like that."
"And what about the other kids? When do you want us to bring them by? We want then all to get tested for allergies. I don't want this to happen again. At least if we know, we are prepared." Suddenly machines started beeping and nurses starting running to Callie's room.