Can I have a handhold please if anyone is up

[Myusername2015]

I’ve recently moved out of the UK with my 4 year old to join my husband who is working here; he’s working away at the moment and I’ve felt increasingly unwell as the day has gone on. I had Covid pneumonia hospitalised for there weeks last year and this feels exactly the same as how that started; pulse oximeter seems low and I know absolutely no one in this country to help with my son if this gets worse ☹️

Oh no, can you say what country you are in? Maybe there will be people on here who also live there and can give you advice. When is your husband due back, is there no chance he can get back if you do start to become unwell, how quickly were you hospitalised last time. Have you taken a lateral flow?

Sorry for your distress. What number does your pulse oximeter say?

The Bahamas so a fair distance; husband is working in the US so couldn’t fly back until at least tomorrow. I don’t have any lft’s sadly; I was taken in a ambulance last time and in for three weeks. I’m hoping I’m just panicking which might be contributing to chest pain. Thanks for your message.

Can you look up the medical advice or emergency service numbers for the relevant country? You clearly have computer access.

What is the number on the oximeter?

Is there an emergency number to call for advice like in the UK? Or do you have a private medical insurance number to call for advice?
I think if you need to go to hospital urgently they would take your child with you in the ambulance and sort out temporary care for your child once you are there.

I know the emergency procedure here I’m just hoping I don’t have to use it as I have no idea what I’d do about my son.

www.bahamas.gov.bs/wps/portal/public/Contacting%20Emergency%20Services/Contacting%20The%20Emergency%20Services/!ut/p/b1/vZS3kqtAFES_ZT9Ay2A0QIi3whsxCQWyeJCQkPj65ZngJbtKXmnuJFN1bvV0B40hbIuhNrsXp2wsujarf70RTF0euL7JkhzQZBJoAeniBkPihkpgMbbNQ4IWO22SHRDVHaz4UD7zmm5DgzNNLrmNMGzuSPQrpySjMgnq1LLFG0vxKze2UiUuDog41sls-4F6dtBVyImhuOuZNYVBTbZztW8vNKTUHlTyGCqXyub2pCXflFZkB48J0r6eUnoGQrXfjZm5P3nrtUKNmtv3SrI1XLUQnekkPcSVJDGRVG0qbb3TbbY4MfSBOvCLyWQxCb45HHiVwZ_97wAOvs4Q_UZIoGw4jmI2NhGwQMMFHBrhGpg8_Rf46Ys_inD0KwBiyQLQ3wISiQXYFlCpXz57ba5mr5zd50Z6mFYZ4rgYPoLTxn-iJL5VTT-gDD4Pue41iaI3jTLEtb66NHbRdVwHFchyHx8vBEPi3YL4uwXpNwvi744U__-R6hgq8uZz2jWf4HMNKEDhFEXiFE0QkMWWeoFLF-mcJEXpOUYGkbUjMAqrBJrZi6q5uWoNLTjmcslLPXiDqUArPe6o7rxr-bFxpp2kaskZzyK9DpaiYZ1MHDk1muS4KmKnPQnRFTxj7ygN-0eypmw43Yv5aEPBVvxZHq9TvGLDG8c-KaeimzNi0iEqc7uukFBGyPKRKlzwGJfIacgkR06VIyPx9fpxNcC-oCfTsA7-mF_yaQNav2B0I29ytNVT4-ifHcZb_IxsJRJTMlbukoelds0B65u7YUJPOlr_DvXxBYdyZcU!/dl4/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

What a horrible situation. I really hope you are better soon.I wonder whether it will be worthwhile packing a bag for him with some of his toys and clothes and pyjamas? You could pack yourself a hospital bag for just in case. Do you know anyone at all that you can call?

Is there anyone your husband could call? He must know his neighbours, or a colleague maybe.
Does his work have any support lines employees and their partners can use?

Worst case does your husband have colleagues? One of them could care for him until your husband could fly back perhaps?

@HollowTalk

What a horrible situation. I really hope you are better soon.I wonder whether it will be worthwhile packing a bag for him with some of his toys and clothes and pyjamas? You could pack yourself a hospital bag for just in case. Do you know anyone at all that you can call?

Good idea thank you; no I don’t even know one person on the island yet. Oxygen has jumped back to 91 so hoping it starts to improves but I think I’ll pack just in case

Can you tell us what the oximeter says. If it’s 95 or above, I would try to prop yourself up in bed, having taking any cold/flu remedy you’ve got and try to get some sleep.

91 - I think you need to seek medical advice. That is quite low.

Oh goodness OP, that does sound worrying, perhaps you could get some things together just in case, I suppose DS would need to go with you and DH would need to try to get back ASAP. What's the number on the oximeter?

Take a few deep breaths and see if it goes up again.

Are there any local expat facebook groups you have/can join? Does DS attend any kind of school/pre school kindi? As a long term expat in multiple countries there have always been relative strangers very willing to help when the chips are down. It's probably worth finding out what the local procedure would be re DS if you needed to go to hospital so you ate not just fearing the worst. It won't be helping your oversell wellness right now and could almost bring on panic related breathing issues. I hope you feel better soon.

How scary. 91 is low... I think you should seek medical advice

No words of advice, but I really hope u start to feel better soon

Oximeter reading of 91 needs medical attention.

Look at p2 of this from the NHS

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/06/C0445-remote-monitoring-in-primary-care-annex-2-diary-jan-21-v1.2.pdf

I don't know if this is of any use to you op : www.expatwoman.com/global/bahamas

I hope some other expats can help; I think that is your best bet.

I have been in vaguely similar situations once or twice but not so far from home, and even then it's an awful situation to be in.

I know you have had zero chance to do this yet, but once you are feeling better, it's a good idea to build up some reciprocal friendships and a network of families with DC the same age as your DS to help out in these sort of circumstances. Try and make that a priority. Good luck to you and hope you feel better soon

Sorry, p3.

This is what is given to patients monitoring at home using a pulse oximeter

As pp said look on local expat FB groups or even just local groups. And ask your husband for a contact of someone he works with and trusts.

Repeat on another finger. If it’s still below 92, call your DH and get him on the next flight back. Then A&E. Pack bags for you and your son. Take him with you. There’ll likely be a few hours wait before any decisions need making about whether to admit. Your DH can try to contact anyone he knows (colleague?) in that time to have them on standby to collect your son until he lands if they do admit you. If they don’t, at least he’ll be around to help out while you recover at home.
Sounds really tough, but you definitely need to be seen now.