Dad in hospital and they have asked us to come in - worried

[VestaRose]

My dad was taken into hospital on Monday by ambulance, the preliminary diagnosis is a clot on the lung and he has been on oxygen since he arrived as he is having difficulty breathing. No issues with covid, tests negative.

I spoke to him this morning and whilst his breathing was bad and it was hard to understand him, he seemed upbeat. My brother has just called however to say the hospital called and asked us to visit him, suggesting we can stay overnight. I'm full of the cold so can't go, my brother is going now and I'm anxiously waiting for news.

I'ts not looking good is it? Someone please tell me a positive outcome? This has come out of the blue and I'm trying to stay positive in front of the kids, are visits allowed for reasons other than the worst imaginable outcome?

Get there now op, mask up and go xx

Go. They will provide you with all the PPE, you will not be passing anything on.

Please go, let the hospital know you have a cold though.

As they others say, please go. X

@VestaRose

I'm just waiting to hear from my db, but it's definitely a cold that I have, no covid symptoms. I've taken my temperature etc.

Covid symptoms can include runny nose, sneezing, headache, sore throat as well as cough and temperature so probably a good idea to do a test.

Go! You will be given PPE and if you are very worried the ward may be able to do a rapid swab/lateral flow test on you when you get there but please go x

@OverTheRainbow88

I would go and see him, as you wouldn’t want to regret not. Hoping he’s ok.

You definitely shouldn’t be going into hospital whilst you’re full of a cold.

What horrific advice on here. No wonder the country is in such a state.

OP, ask for a lateral flow test first. You simply cannot risk going into a hospital with a cold.

There are SO few 'common colds' around this year as we are not mixing in the same way and spreading them. Please get a proper COVID test. My covid last April was just a heavy cold (no cough or temp at all) until the 4th day when I was well enough to survive going to work- I had lost taste and smell by the time I got home that night 😕 Tested +ve next day and DH had it by then also.
Best wishes to you and your family, I hope you are able to see your Dad

Not helpful for the OP, but for the posters suggesting getting a lateral flow test, a negative LFT in someone with symptoms doesn’t rule out covid - that still needs pcr test (or that’s certainly the advice in my Trust). The lateral flow tests are for picking up asymptotic positives (positive results are more reliable than negatives).

You also can’t just turn up to a hospital and get a test if you’re worried (as suggested by pp).

Go and say goodbye to your father.

I’m sorry this is such a worrying time but please don’t go the the hospital. You don’t know it’s just a cold and you can’t do a LFT with any symptoms.
You could have booked online earlier and possibly had a test this evening so, with a negative test, visit him in hospital safely tomorrow. Our centres do them until late, could you book now? I hope you get to see him op but please don’t go without testing

oh op, so sorry to read this, we were allowed an hour with my mum in december and I'm so glad I got that hour now. if you can I would, as you may regret it in the future x

@addicted2spaniels

What horrific advice on here. No wonder the country is in such a state.

OP, ask for a lateral flow test first. You simply cannot risk going into a hospital with a cold.

Hospitals don't call and tell you to come visit now - maybe overnight, In a pandemic for no reason. If it was possibly your last chance to see a loved one, I'm sure you would go. Please don't try to make op feel bad, or deter her from going with your judgment.

OP, it really is hossoboe and there are no good answers, and I’m so sorry that you are facing saying goodbye to him. You really do have to phone the ward and explain your symptoms, book your self a PCR test for first thing in the morning of that’s what they want for you to go in.

Hope he improves

Thinking of you OP.

I hope you & your dad are ok. Echoing pp saying it could be covid. Friend thought she had a cold but pcr was positive.

Echoing other posters, but I hope you've been able to take a covid test today and get to the hospital if your test result was negative? Even if you're feeling under the weather and need someone else to drive you, you don't want to risk missing a possible last conversation and time with your dad. My DF still regrets not going to see his DM in hospital the last time because he had a heavy cold and didn't want to give it to her.

@VestaRose , I hope you and your DF are OK and that you're able to see him soon .

So sad for you. My friend was called into the hospital as they thought her husband might be at end of life (not covid). After a day he rallied and went home two weeks later. Unfortunately he was at end of life stage but had a good few weeks at home with his family.

Thinking of you at this difficult time.
This is the point, so many offering advice and all think they are right.
Every case us different.

Thinking of you OP

Ah OP, thinking of you. If the worst does come to pass you will spend time raking over these final decisions and last words. I'd say go, every time.

Op it is serious and they would not ask you go if not - you should go in now!