MAC Week 2 Other-Digital Medicine

Today I had one of those "aha!" moments when I suddenly realize how technology has radically changed our world. My adorably clumsy 2 1/2 year old Mia did a faceplant on the tile and proceeded to bleed profusely from the mouth. Instead of panicking, I sprung to action. I took a look in her mouth and realized she'd severely lacerated her frenulum. So, while holding a wet towel to her face, I quickly googled "lacerated frenulum:"
After following some of the directions on the page, I realized I'd reached the point where I should probably contact a medical professional. So, I quickly turned to my cell phone, and fired off a quick text message to my kids' pediatrician. That's right, a text message. See, in lieu of hiring an answering service, our pediatrician takes triage via text on the weekends to avoid an additional expense, and save her patients unnecessary trips to the ER. So, a couple of seconds after my text, I got a text back with a few questions, texted her again with details, and then a return phone call with some final directions and a comforting phrase "she's going to be fine".

After all was said and done, my sweet Mia was A-ok. She'll be staying away from citrus for a week or so to avoid pain, but it will heal on it's own. I couldn't help but wonder how parents did it before technology. I mean, really, without google and medical websites and text messages and cell phones, it's a miracle we're all alive and our parents were able to use plain old intuition to get us all the way through our first 18 years.

Somebody's feeling better!