When your college age child is sick

[rlk]

Ugh, I feel so sad.

My son, a student at UT, and fully vaccinated, is almost 1,800 from our home texted in the middle of the night that he has a fever, bad cough, and is having trouble breathing! My husband and I convinced him to go to the ER. He was negative for Covid but test positive for Influenza A. X-rays show pneumonia in his left lung. The doctors in the ER said it was viral and should clear up on its own.

They refused to give him a prescription for albuterol because they said they are experiencing a shortage and he is too young to qualify. Thankfully his local doctor called in the prescription.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

Oh that's so upsetting as a parent for your child to be so far from home and ill. Did they give him any medicine at all? When I had pneumonia (and I had gone to the ER), they gave me something via an IV and I recall I felt so much better later that day. It's been a few years, so I don't recall what it was. Thankfully, your local doctor intervened. I hope your son is feeling better very soon.

 

[RUDisney]

Luckily, my DD was only 2.5 hours away, but she selected a school where my sister lives. So, when she was ill, my sister would pick up her meds at CVS and she took her to urgent care once when the school nurse wasn't in the office.

My DD helped others when they were ill since she had a car and could take them to see a doctor when they couldn't get their except for Ubers that would have been expensive due to the distance.

You were smart to have your doctor prescribe the albuterol when the the ER doc wouldn't.

 

[MamaMermaid]

No words - my son is only 3.5 but this is so hard for everyone. Sending lots of love your way!

 

[DisneyHardin]

I remember being sick when I was in college nearly 25 years ago and calling my Mom in tears because I was so sick and she wasn't there.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

It’s so worrying. Can you get a supermarket delivery service to deliver some soups and ice creams and stuff?

 

[rlk]

It’s so worrying. Can you get a supermarket delivery service to deliver some soups and ice creams and stuff?

Yes! Last September, he and his three suitemates (along with most everyone in his apartment building) had Covid and I had some cookies and cupcakes delivered.

 

[lifesavacation]

It's so hard when they are sick or injured and away from home.

 

[kdonnel]

Luckily my kids are both an hours drive away, well two if I have to go during rush hour. So far they have only had minor colds. I am sure that if they had to visit the ER I would be right there.

I'm sure your son will be fine in just a few days!



I saw a meme that said :
You know you are an adult when your parents stop making your doctors appointments and instead you just stop going and hope you don't die.

 

[Southernmiss]

It is not easy when they're far away and sick. I've got one 3 hours away who woke up with his first cold in 2 years today.

Hopefully, your son has good friends who will help him get things he needs and check on him to be sure all is ok.

 

[Skippy918]

In college, my boyfriend got really sick and he wasn’t getting better, so his mom drove down and picked him up. He ended up going to the hospital and getting diagnosed with mono.
I had a friend in college who suffered a collapsed lung so he went to the ER and got treated. I broke my foot in college and went to the ER for it as well.

 

[PollyannaMom]

No advice that hasn't already been given, just a big . I've been there and it's hard!

 

[Kitty 34]

Here's a big for you.

My DS had major knee surgery after blowing his knee out in a basketball game. We were there for the surgery part but all the weeks following when he had to mend with some infections thrown in were very hard to take from "a far". Apparently the volleyball girls helped him get around but that might be a story I don't want to know about.

 

[QueenIsabella]

It IS hard!

My DD18 is only a couple miles up the road. Literally, she's home 3-4 times a week, mostly to see the dog and steal snacks. She was complaining about a cough that wouldn't clear up--she took herself to urgent care yesterday, and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection. She got a Z-pack (picked it up herself!), and hopefully, will get some rest this week. She was very proud of herself for adulting her way through it--refused to come home for more than a quick visit. I guess she doesn't want Mom to fuss over her, even if we have ice cream!

 

[ftbaker1313]

Our son was in college several states away and called us late one night. He said he was sick. we ended up calling a cab company to take him to hospital and back to his dorm. I think the two trips cost as much as the hospital visit. Next day we found out that we could have called security and they would have taken him.

 

[rlk]

Thanks for all the support. It helps

Luckily, my son has three apartment-mates. One went to pick up his Tamiflu prescription but went to the wrong CVS pharmacy.

 

[evilmommie]

Glad to hear he's on the mend! I've had two kids deployed overseas that went through illness and medical stuff, where it's only one call and no other communication. Parenting is a FT job no matter where they are!

 

[mjkacmom]

My kids have been sick at college, 2 with covid, dd20 FaceTimed me last weekend dying, couldn‘t stop coughing of sneezing. While on the call I instacarted her some raw honey, musinex and tissues (she was using toilet paper), she was too sick to go out. It’s hard.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Ugh, I feel so sad.

My son, a student at UT, and fully vaccinated, is almost 1,800 from our home texted in the middle of the night that he has a fever, bad cough, and is having trouble breathing! My husband and I convinced him to go to the ER. He was negative for Covid but test positive for Influenza A. X-rays show pneumonia in his left lung. The doctors in the ER said it was viral and should clear up on its own.

They refused to give him a prescription for albuterol because they said they are experiencing a shortage and he is too young to qualify. Thankfully his local doctor called in the prescription.

I went thru this also when my daughter was >1000 miles from home in college. You did the right thing advising an ER visit amd I'm glad he listened. Thankfully you had his PC get the prescription in case its needed. BUT we as parents have to remember that our kids have to fly on their own and figure stuff out for themselves- sometimes with our help but eventually without.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Oh no, you must be beside yourself, I'm so sorry this happened. Did they give him prescription TamiFlu? Usually pneumonia is antibiotics, can your son get to a Pulmonologist there? He & roommates should know it is ok to call an ambulance, people hesitate and it can be bad.