What was i thinking?! Airplanes are full of germs! How will I explain to a doctor in Mexico about my son’s actual age and corrected age? What if he has another asymptomatic ear infection? Oh god… what if it is symptomatic and I can’t remember which antibiotic he is allergic to?
Yep- I am a preemie parent in a total foreign travel panic. It is not without merit you see. Before we left, Sam had a bit of a runny nose and now I am in the midst of a full blown cold/flu. (Yes- happy vacation to me). It occurs to me that perhaps planning a trip to a foreign country with my preemie may not have been my best idea. Don’t get me wrong, up until I got sick, we were having a great time. The view from our room is magnificent. The hotel we are in is lovely. (FYI- we are in Cabo San Lucas at the Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach resort.) Irene is a walking prune from all the time she is spending in the pool. Even Peter, who shies away from sun like a vampire, is enjoying himself. Hell, Sam is having a blast- eating refried beans and corn tortillas and mastering the art of going under water in the swimming pool.
Still, under all of the joy there is this simmering panic- the what if… what if Sam gets sick. What if he needs a doctor. What if he needs medication. What if.
I am sure every parent that travels with a baby feels some of this panic, but it just feels that much more heightened because of Sam’s preemie status. We traveled with Irene to Hawaii when she was 7 months old and to Mexico when she was 11 months old and I do not remember feeling any of this panic.
We have 4 more days to go on this trip- I hope my health improves quickly and my panic can subside. Lord knows I need the relaxation this trip was supposed to bring me- right?
Hang in there Melissa! This will pass. Love you guys! Lis