My Plebe is in the hospital

cajost

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2013
Messages
137
She was able to call us last night late at around 1030pm our time (central)

Evidently, the stomach flu has spread to quite a number of the class. She said there were a lot of them with it. Symptoms are: throwing up, diarrhea, etc. She said she passed out and the Corpsman said the heat was a contributor. She said she feels better.

I'm trying really hard to not to lose it. I know she is in good hands and they are taking great care of her, but this is hard. Really hard. Any words of encouragement are welcome and needed.
 
Oh, Cajost! I cannot imagine how hard this must be for you. I keep thinking of all the words of encouragement from our mentors over on FB. You know, "they're in good hands" and "great medical care" and all that, but as a parent those words are of little solace when you get that phone call I would think.

Praying for peace for you and a quick recover for your Plebe! I am about 2 1/2 hours from the academy and that bug has been running rampant through our community as well. The good news is it doesn't seem to last long!

Hang in there!
 
She was able to call us last night late at around 1030pm our time (central)

I'm trying really hard to not to lose it. I know she is in good hands and they are taking great care of her, but this is hard. Really hard. Any words of encouragement are welcome and needed.


Cajost, if you dont have any people there you should contact Rose Clark who is the queen of all things sponsor-parent. Perhaps she'll be able to make this connection happen earlier for your daughter. You can contact her at sponsor@usna.edu

My son was taken to Bethesda for a sports injury (not during plebe summer) They had three specialists working on him. They did an AMAZING job....good as new...
 
Vista123 - thank you. I've emailed her.

I called the clinic/hospital and they just want to make she she has authorized me to talk with them. I cannot remember if I signed something already....maybe it was for grades not medical.

(Deep breath) She will be fine and dandy in no time.
 
Vista123 - thank you. I've emailed her.

Sponsor Parents are great for this (and ten million other things)

they just want to make she she has authorized me to talk with them.

Even if you signed something they will have to reconfirm it.


I cannot remember if I signed something already....maybe it was for grades ...

BTW-off topic---that signing for grades is kind of BS. You dont really get their grades even if your DD signed it. You will just have to ask her.


She will be fine and dandy in no time.

Yes she will!
 
learning how to manage yourself during illness is one of those life lessons all kids go through when they go to college. My DS got a severe strep infection his frosh year during football season-he plays at a university in Missouri-had to figure out how to get himself to the doctor, fill his Rx, let is profs/coaches know he was sick, get his assignments via email, etc. It sucked being sick but his lessons were invaluable. Part of growing up....your DD will be fine and she is in great hands.
 
Ratdawg - I agree. And we're in St. Louis - BIG MIZZOU fans.

I keep telling myself that at least it isn't something really bad and she is in good hands.
 
Cajost, let us know how is goes and if she was able to connect to her sponsor early.

she will be ok, but it is anxiety provoking not being there.

another DS goes to WashU, St Louis is beautiful!
 
Your DD will be better than "fine," cajost. Her detailers will visit her, assuming she's in hospital long enough that they can get over there during the duty day. She and the other sick plebes are getting the finest care. Those detailers will watch their plebes like hawks for any signs of dehydration, vertigo, or nausea when they get back to their platoons. (I think it kind of surprises a lot of people, not least the plebes, that their detailers really care what happens to them.)

Meantime, Uncle Sam now owns her, so HIPAA and FERPA apply - meaning, USNA, by law, cannot release any information to you about your daughter including health status or grades, unless SHE signs (or signed) a waiver - one for each (law).

Hang in there, really. They take awesome care of those kids. She'll be back in her platoon doing wall sits and front leaning rests and rack races and fashion shows in no time!
 
Your DD will be better than "fine," cajost. Her detailers will visit her, assuming she's in hospital long enough that they can get over there during the duty day. She and the other sick plebes are getting the finest care. Those detailers will watch their plebes like hawks for any signs of dehydration, vertigo, or nausea when they get back to their platoons. (I think it kind of surprises a lot of people, not least the plebes, that their detailers really care what happens to them.)

Meantime, Uncle Sam now owns her, so HIPAA and FERPA apply - meaning, USNA, by law, cannot release any information to you about your daughter including health status or grades, unless SHE signs (or signed) a waiver - one for each (law).

Hang in there, really. They take awesome care of those kids. She'll be back in her platoon doing wall sits and front leaning rests and rack races and fashion shows in no time!

Yup. One of my plebes ended up in Bethesda for a stretch and I visited him a few times (during sports period or in the evening). The kid was so moto he refused to watch TV or read anything other than "Reef Points," which is a bit much, but yeah, they take really good care of them. He was back happily stumping along next to everyone else as soon as he could.

My roommate (both as a detailer and now in flight school) had almost all of her squad SIQ for about a week and a half. She went out of pocket for breakfast shakes and food they could keep down to supplement brownbag meals and generally made sure they had everything they needed to get better.

To quote the same roommate, being a detailer is "Like being a mom and having ten kids, but you don't actually love them." (But you kinda do, deep down, in a hateful sort of way).
 
I know it is a tough feeling. My mother used to tell people that Plebe Summer was "like the Government has kidnapped your child" and I didn't have anything worse than an ear infection either.

The chaplains are unbelievable. Don't feel bad about reaching out to them and sharing your concerns. They can check on your mid and give you some additional peace of mind.
 
I was also going to suggest contacting the chaplains. I remember how assuring and personable they were on I Day. I was told more than once to call "for any reason"...in hindsight, I must have looked like quite the basket case.

She sounds like she is in good, caring hands. But I have to admit, my heart skipped a beat when I saw your original post. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. I like that they didn't take any chances with her health.
 
Thank you all!

I gotta say, you all are wonderful people. I got through today with your words and experience.

She did sign the release. She was not in the hospital - the clinic (sounds so much better) The Commander that is her doc is a wonderful women who said "You can sleep well tonight. She is fine. We are used to this. It happens every year. Your daughter was just one of them."

The Officer of the day call me to let me know she was feeling better, in a sleep barracks room with a couple of others in the same boat and she will go to medical in the morning to (hopefully) be cleared and be back with her Company.

Did I mention you guys are awesome? :thumb:
 
So happy she is sleeping and will be better soon!

Now go make yourself a colorful drink and get some sleep yourself! :thumb:
 
Really glad to hear that your daughter is on the mend and you've had a good update. In a way it is not a bad thing for a plebe to leave the strange artificial world of Bancroft and have even this small introduction to some of the great people in the wider Navy/Marine Corps who make USNA run and take care of the mids. Hope she will feel 100% soon!
 
Just like Ratdawg pointed out, they have to learn to take care of themselves and stuff like this.

The Commander said earlier this week it got into the mid 90's and was hot, humid and just miserable. Keeping hydrated is difficult. Then add that 1200 (or so) kids are together and you start speading germs and within a week or so the first bug appears. Reminds me of when she started kindergarden.

Ah, the joys of life!
 
Reminds me of when she started kindergarden. Ah, the joys of life!

Ok, advice from one SA parent to another... don't let your smart, capable, strong, and proud daughter hear you compare plebe summer to kindergarten!!! :shake:

Glad she is feeling better. The SA's really do invest in these amazing young people; on every level.
 
More good news

Just got a call from the Doctor there, our plebe and her Company officer.

They say she is on light duty and getting better. The doctor said, "I've seen some MIDS get the stomach stuff before, but I'm gonna remember your daughter as the one with it the worst." (great...) The Officer of her Company was there because she is really anxious to get back with her class. He said, "M'am I can assure you she will get all her training once she is up to speed. We are not cutting her short. The classroom is fine and some of the others. We hope to have her a PT by Monday." (I had a good chuckle over that one.)

I am just so incredibly impressed by the way they are taking care of our kids, I am so happy.

Go Navy!
 
I'm pleased your DD is feeling better. Reading the thread, this actually sounds like far better treatment than you would have gotten at a regular hospital/clinic at any other school. I can't imagine a Dr. calling home... more than once... to give updates to parents... may be the floor nurse, if time permitted, but the Dr? No way.
I'm really impressed. Sounds like a lot of hands-on care by people who care about doing the best they can.
 
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