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Original poster

How long am I expected to go without food?

538 replies

chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:39

DD (10 months) has been in hospital for 4 days now

I asked to go for a wee on the first night she came in, the nurse I pulled to the side to ask if someone could watch her said 'I'll be honest, no. We are so busy right now, really short staffed'

So I waited another hour and asked again. The nurse who was administering her meds said okay but she only had a few minutes. I did a quick wee and ran back Sad

Second and third night, nobody to watch her whilst I run to get something to eat. Second night there I ate DD's dinner (she isn't eating much at all right now because of her breathing, and didn't want it).

I got a telling off because apparently they need to monitor what DD eats. I said but I can tell you she wouldn't even have a mouthful. The nurse said 'yes and now you've had the lot, I can't tell what she'd had to put in her notes'

It is now the 4th day here and apart from me sneaking bits and bobs, I've had nothing. I am exhausted, haven't slept much and hungry. I need a change of clothes

Nobody to drop anything down to me. It's just awful

How long can I really be expected to go without? DD is presenting as energetic and happy, it's just her breathing but you wouldn't know to look at her. They call it 'happy wheezing'

So it's even more exhausting because she's acting normally and not like an unwell baby. So you have to constantly be on guard as it's a hard cot with bars and she keeps throwing herself backwards whilst trying to stand Envy

OP posts:
ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 10/12/2022 12:40

Where are you, OP? Maybe one of us could help you out with some supplies.

KangarooKenny · 10/12/2022 12:40

Go when she sleeps. You need to eat/drink/toilet and be clean.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/12/2022 12:41

Where are you?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Families
Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:41

Oh and shout out to Addenbrooke's hospital. We have been there with DD a few times and they are amazing. Not just the quality of care but the way they speak to parents is brilliant, they're considerate and have appropriate facilities

OP posts:
Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:42

KangarooKenny · 10/12/2022 12:40

Go when she sleeps. You need to eat/drink/toilet and be clean.

Someone keeps coming when she's falling asleep and waking her to give nebulisers etc. it's driving me to distraction

OP posts:
Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:42

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/12/2022 12:41

Where are you?

Bedfordshire

OP posts:
flowngo · 10/12/2022 12:42

chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:41

Oh and shout out to Addenbrooke's hospital. We have been there with DD a few times and they are amazing. Not just the quality of care but the way they speak to parents is brilliant, they're considerate and have appropriate facilities

Excellent to hear as this is my patch and I'm pleased we were able to provide you with a good patient journey during your stay with us. Are you there again?

Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:43

KangarooKenny · 10/12/2022 12:40

Go when she sleeps. You need to eat/drink/toilet and be clean.

I've had a shower whilst she slept and came back to her in tears and a cross nurse, because she had woken from the medication and tries to get out of the cot

I was desperate.

Can't even go shop because it's closed when she's finally sleeping. And the vending machines don't bloody accept card

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 10/12/2022 12:43

Which trust are you with? I've always had food provided even if just toast/cereal etc bfast and sandwiches at other times. Are they not offering anything?

Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:43

@flowngo no, not there again. Different hospital this time and it's truly awful in comparison

OP posts:
Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:44

MichelleScarn · 10/12/2022 12:43

Which trust are you with? I've always had food provided even if just toast/cereal etc bfast and sandwiches at other times. Are they not offering anything?

No, I asked for a sandwich today and they said they'd ask the kitchen if they can bring one out with the lunches

They never did Envy

OP posts:
Blocked · 10/12/2022 12:45

Can you take her down to the shop with you? Or order a pizza?

ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 10/12/2022 12:46

Sorry, OP, I'm hundreds of miles away. I hope someone will help you. To be honest, I would suggest asking for help directly from friends, even work colleagues or neighbours or people you know slightly - if you have their number, you can ask them. Needs must! I can't think of anyone I wouldn't try to help if they were in your situation, even if I didn't know them that well. You might be surprised by how kind people can be, especially if you tell them something practical they can do, like bring you a flask of hot water and a pot noodle.

Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:46

Blocked · 10/12/2022 12:45

Can you take her down to the shop with you? Or order a pizza?

She's on a Sats monitor so nope

OP posts:
MrsSkylerWhite · 10/12/2022 12:46

chappysays · Today 12:42
MrsSkylerWhite · Today 12:41
Where are you?

“Bedfordshire”

sorry, hundreds of miles away 🥺

any family/friends who could drop something off? If not, can Just Eat deliver a hot meal to the ward?

fluffiphlox · 10/12/2022 12:47

Can’t your partner/mother/friend bring you something?

Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:48

Haha no worries! Thank you for your kindness

I just think I should be spoken to with a bit more kindness

Never received such shocking treatment in my life

Again, Addenbrookes blew me away with their high quality care, not just of DD but so considerate to me too

OP posts:
Original poster
chappysays · 10/12/2022 12:49

fluffiphlox · 10/12/2022 12:47

Can’t your partner/mother/friend bring you something?

I said I don't have anyone, I won't go into it but no they won't

My family live hours away

OP posts:
Dotcheck · 10/12/2022 12:49

Is there a friend you can ask to bring you supplies?

Bewitched005 · 10/12/2022 12:49

Can you get a takeaway delivered to the ward?

BabyFour2023 · 10/12/2022 12:50

Can you deliveroo something? With the toilet etc just nip to the loo if she is in a cot. Is she sleeping a lot with the antibiotics?

Tashface · 10/12/2022 12:50

No idea if they can help, but can you contact PALS to see if they can do anything to help?

NoSquirrels · 10/12/2022 12:50

Isn’t this the type of thing PALS can help with? I’d start there, OP.

RudsyFarmer · 10/12/2022 12:50

I'm going to guess Luton and Dunstable hospital.

Heatherbell1978 · 10/12/2022 12:51

I really empathise OP. DD (4 at the time) ended up hospitalised with chicken pox last summer when we were away from home. I wasn't allowed to leave her room due to Covid restrictions and got a telling off whenever I did - no-one answered the buzzer as they were run off their feet and her drip wasn't topped up at the times it was meant to be so I spent my time trying to get nurses to switch off warning lights on her drip and then the same nurse was never able to give her a new dose. Thankfully DH was staying nearby in a hotel with DS but even the bags they were dropping off for me didn't get to me. After 5 days I was totally wrecked.

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