When teacher takes a mother's place

Well, let's see, how about when your child goes on a field trip? I use to think, "Why do I have to fill out these medical forms?" I will never think that way again. My 13-year-old daughter was on a school overnight field trip to Springfield when the unimaginable happened. Who would have thought that she would swallow a hair clip and have it lodged in her esophagus?

Four hours away at home then the phone rings, it is 9:30 at night when we got the first call. The teacher, Mrs. Salte, calls me and tells me my daughter swallowed this, and she is concerned because she can feel it in her throat, so they were going to take her to the emergency room. A couple of hours later, after they take x-rays, we find out they have to put her under and use a scope to get this object out. Mrs. Salte was by my daughter's side through the whole thing. My first thought was get in the car and get going, but the doctors told us not to come just yet, this procedure should take 15 minutes or less and if there are no complications, she will be able to carry on like nothing happened. Well, four hours later she is in recovery and ready to go back to her hotel for some sleep before returning to the next day's activities.

I cannot thank Mrs. Salte enough. She actually became me. Her calmness and quick thinking saved my daughter's life and I will never forget that.

So maybe think twice about filling out those medical forms for field trips, because that is when a teacher becomes a Substitute Mom.

Pat Voeller

Wauconda