Take a deep breath

Today started of normally, but this afternoon got a little interesting. First of all Chase has had a cough for a little over a week. Yesterday he started having breathing problems to go along with it. So today I called to make an appointment for him to be seen. He has had a history of asthma symptoms in the past so this is nothing new to me, when he seemed like he was really having a hard time, I decided to make an appointment. Well, apparently even though we do have health insurance (Kaiser mind you), there are no available doctors in all of San Diego County. So I ask (a little sarcastically, I have had so many bad experiences with Kaiser, some good, but many bad) so what should I do with my son while he is having breathing problems, and we are waiting for his appointment tomorrow. The nurse replied, "oh we have just been telling everyone to go to the hospital". I still just can't believe that there weren't any doctors available, and I called at 7:30 am. So I say thank you very much and hang up. Well after a few hours, and watching him struggle to breath, I call in again and ask, ok so the nurse said to go to the hospital, do I go to an urgent care or the ER or what, just in case he gets worse. So then they put me through to the advice nurse and miraculously find an appointment. Well, we go, the doctor listens to him breath, and immediately does a breathing treatment, then does another one. The doc says that he sounds better after the second one, he was thinking about having Chase stay over night. WHAT?!? I was a little surprised by that one, I have seen him worse than that before. He said that it was asthma. I still am not sure if he actually has asthma or just illness induced asthma or if those are the same thing. But at least I felt justified in dragging 4 kids down to the doctor by Qualcomm Stadium after a dentist appointment, and stay there for over 2 hours. It made me feel that maybe I do know what is best for my child not some lady on the phone who doesn't seem convinced that he is really that sick. And I am sure that we made people's days while waiting 1/2 an hour for the prescriptions to be filled while my kids were "forcing" (Star wars terminology) the automatic doors open and closed for people. Even Brooke was getting in on the standing with feet apart arms in the outreach position and moving them to get the doors to open. I am sure that it was also amusing to see me try to get all four kids to sit still, and then accidentally bump Brooke's pacifier into her mouth causing her lip to bleed, having to leave the pharmacy(and the kids) to run to the bathroom to get a wet paper towel. Someone even gave me my favorite line "boy you have your hands full" Gee, I didn't notice. Anyway, it all turned out ok because we are home now, and Chase seems to be breathing somewhat normally, and all of the kids are sleeping happily in their beds. And even though I have this thing for Kaiser, I am grateful that if you just can get in to the doctor, they really do seem to take good care of you. It is just the phone people that I am not so crazy about. But I am grateful that we live in a place where my kids can get the health care they need (even if I do have to push for it once in a while).