In April 2024, my youngest daughter got what seemed like a really bad stomach bug — that’s what doctors told us for three weeks.
After five days of constant vomiting and diarrhea, I took her to the pediatrician. They told me stomach bugs could last up to two weeks, and sent us home with nothing but a bill for the visit.
By day 8, I called the pediatrician’s office again because I was still worried. My daughter wasn’t eating, was still throwing up, and had diarrhea. They said again it was just a stomach bug, and told me, “If she’s crying tears, she’s not dehydrated,” and “Don’t worry.”
On day 12, I brought her in for another sick visit. Her symptoms had gotten worse. She had no energy, her skin looked pale, she wouldn’t eat, and she just wanted to be held. She had stopped walking. My energetic 18-month-old was slowly slipping away.
I told the pediatrician all my concerns, but again she said, “She’s not dehydrated. She’s making tears.” She also told me if I went to the ER, it would just be for “an expensive bag of water.”
I begged her for antibiotics to fight whatever was hurting my daughter, but she said no. I asked for lab tests, since we were nearly two weeks in. She agreed, but said the results wouldn’t show anything.
Still, I took my daughter to get the lab work done, hoping for answers. When the results came back, they were clearly abnormal. I called the pediatrician right away, but she wouldn’t talk about them—she said she was waiting for one last result.
That’s when I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. I called and said I was taking my daughter to the ER. The doctor replied, “It seems like you’re just going to do what you want to do.” She was right.
At the hospital, my daughter was taken in right away. She got three IV fluid treatments and was tested for sepsis. She stayed in the hospital for five days. The doctors told us she was dangerously dehydrated, which had affected her kidneys, and she had a bacterial infection that was making her very sick.
After lots of care and a round of antibiotics, she finally came back to her happy, playful self.
I’m sharing this because I want other parents to know it’s okay to trust your instincts, even when a doctor doesn’t listen. I didn’t speak up soon enough, and it nearly cost me my daughter.
I’m so grateful to the hospital staff who cared for her and helped her heal. She’s back to being loud, silly, and full of life.
Story shared with permission by Ashley Miano.