When Your Kid in College is Ill

[KarenC]

Need prayers and pixie dust for my DD. She injured her knee 5 years ago and had 2 surgeries. This week it became very painful and it pops and makes scraping sounds when she walks down the stairs. She has unexplained bruises all over her leg.

She called the health center at school and they gave her an appointment next Thursday. Our pediatrician thought she should go straight to the Orthopedic Surgeon and bypass the health center. Since DD is 6 hours away, I called the health center to get a referral. The nurse asked her symptoms and when I told her about the popping she asked if she had bruises. Apparently she thinks it could be an infection and told me to have her go to the ER now.

I'm sure everything will be fine, but it is so hard to be sitting here waiting for her to call to let me know what's happening. Just another episode of "As the (half) Empty Nest Turns".

 

[helenabear]

Oh boy that doesn't sound very good at all I am sure that it is so much harder with her so far away. I will keep her in my prayers as well as you

 

[EdiePA]

but there truly is a bright side to this!

My son is nine hours away at college in Kentucky. His freshman year, he found a "lump" in his private parts. HE handled going to the health center, and even seeing a female doctor.

We finally had him come home for more tests and it was benign.

So, the good news?? You daughter will learn to handle her health care problems and will know how important keeping on top of this is.

Hugs to you< Karen, and I hope you get good news soon! I know the feeling of just wanting to hop in the car and get there!!

Prayers being said for your daughter,

Edie

 

[pumba]

some how our kids can carry it on.....our son was a junior in college and had just moved back this one Labor day weekend......and I get a call from his then girlfriend and he is being operated on for an Appendicitis.......we were three hours away and we drove in the middle of the night and got there as he came out of the recovery room.......it stinks being a parent so far from our kids.......especailly when WE NEED THEM.......they struggle on and do not need us as much as we think

 

[minniecarousel]

ugh! My older DS had strep throat a few months into his first quarter. I drove the 5 hours to get him for the weekend - then drove the 5 hours to take him back - at least I could see him and see that he was going to be OK. It's so hard when they're sick and away - even when they're big kids! This son also had an accident last year just before Christmas break - younger DS goes to the same school- it was so comforting for me to know that his brother was there for him - even before I was able to get to him.

On another note, I agree with Edie - they learn to take care of themselves. (the waiting to hear what's going is what's so hard!)

Hang in there.

 

[Val]

A couple of hints from a college prof/mom!

1. If your DD is going to miss more than a class or two, call the Dean of Students and have a notice sent to her professors. Send a copy of the hospital instructions/Dr.'s orders to the Dean (they won't go beyond this office) as documentation. Makes any make up work much easier to argue...I always call when students in my small classes turn up "missing", but in large lecture classes there is often no way for me to know.

2. IF your DD needs crutches, etc., contact Disabilities Concerns on the campus. They can arrange parking, rides, etc. while she is laid up.

3. If your DD lives in the dorms, contact the resident manager to make sure that the floor Resident Assistant knows she is sick. The RA can bring up meals and check on her. Make sure they have your number in case of an emergency. If she lives off campus- talk to the roomies.

Good luck and lots of pixie dust.

 

[KarenC]

I just heard from DD. They looked at her leg and took some xrays. There's nothing wrong with her bones. She will need to see an orthopedic surgeon and was given two referrals. That's all I was looking for when I called the health services office. For now she needs to keep ice on it and elevate it when she's not moving. She's going to take the elevator when she can.

Now that we've ruled out an infection, I'm hoping all she needs is more physical therapy. Since her bones are fine it sounds more like tendons or ligaments. Hopefully she'll be able to get in to see the orthopod soon.

Thanks for all your good wishes!

 

[EdiePA]

for letting us know!

Glad that it wasn't infection and now she has the name of docs that can help with the rehab!!

Hugs to both of you!!

Edie