I thought it might calm the redness. I should never have tried it.”
The doctor spoke firmly.
“Do not do that again.”
Then he looked back at the notebook.
“But keep these records.”
Ben was sent for additional tests.
Two days later, we returned for the results.
I could barely breathe.
The doctor sat across from us.
“The good news is that we caught this very early.”
It turned out Ben was developing an inflammatory condition around one of his joints.
Because it had been noticed so early, the doctors believed it could be managed and treated before it became much more serious.
I looked at my father.
He wouldn’t raise his eyes.
The doctor continued.
“The home remedy was not appropriate. But his grandfather noticed a pattern in the child’s behavior and walking that many people would have dismissed as simple tiredness.”
My eyes filled with tears.
We were
