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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To warn you all about the dangers of Foxgloves?

260 replies

Outfoxgloved · 26/01/2016 21:41

Yes. I am unreasonable for sticking this in AIBU. Yes I'm fully aware that it's not at all unreasonable to warn someone about something dangerous.

Yes I'm also aware this post outs me, and so that's why I've name changed.

I'm hoping it's not against the rules to share a blog here? If it is, feel free to delete :) I shall take it like a woman.

Some of you may know the other me on here (since you know the story) please don't out me!

The story of what happened to DD2 last year

OP posts:
Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 15:50

Don't want anyone trying the flowers. That would be bad too.

OP posts:
Haffdonga · 27/01/2016 18:16

Thank you for posting this. I'm so glad Esme is OK.

I knew about foxgloves but I'm not surprised many people don't. I think many people in our modern city life wouldn't be able to identify a dock leaf, let alone a foxglove, or know which is poisonous. I actually think the safest way for us all to protect our children is not to learn about certain plants but to educate dcs, parents, and teenagers looking for a high , everyone - not to eat or ingest ANY plant other than vegetables from a known source. There are just so many posinous garden and wild plants that we can't possibly know them all.

For example, last year I was shocked to learn about the gardener who died after apparently just touching Monkshood in his employer's garden. It's a common enough garden plant. My parents have it. Hmm

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11213530/Gardener-died-after-brushing-past-poisonous-plant-in-millionaires-garden.html

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 18:45

Thanks Haff, I agree with the "don't eat anything" rule completely.

My mistake was thinking I'd drummed it into the older dcs enough. I hadn't. Quick reminder than morning and things might have been very different. She's still likely to have eaten something, but dd1 would have come straight to me, instead of disregarding it.

I think a summer of growing vegetables had blurred the lines.

From now on the rule is no eating from the garden. Only from the kitchen after harvesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 18:45

*that morning

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sallysparrow157 · 27/01/2016 19:02

I've just seen your blog post on Facebook. It was shared by someone on the junior doctors contract forum which had over 63,000 members. So thousands of junior docs will now have Esme's story in their minds when they next see a sick child who's potentially been eating something they shouldn't in a field or garden

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 19:07

That's fantastic news, Sally :) thank you for letting me know Flowers

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Medusacascade · 27/01/2016 19:09

Thanks to Dick Van Dyke, I learned all about foxglove in a riveting Diagnosis Murder back in my university days.

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 19:15

Ah, Diagnosis Murder. Now that's a show. They don't make them like that anymore :o

And it was educational too?! Is there no end to that man's talents ignoring his british accent completely

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Medusacascade · 27/01/2016 19:39

Thanks for sharing your blog by the way. It was important and very readable

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 19:45

Thanks Medusa :)

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WaxyBean · 27/01/2016 19:48

I had no idea the leaves were poisonous, I thought it was the flowers. Glad Esme is ok, and thank you for sharing your story.

MarchEliza · 27/01/2016 19:54

I was aware that digitalis was poisonous, however I didn't realise how life-threatening it was and am very glad I read this. I love foxgloves- but I will be incredibly careful from now on.

I had to skip to the end of your blog to make sure your DD pulled through - how terrifying and I'm so glad that she did. X

MargaretCabbage · 27/01/2016 20:01

I didn't know foxgloves were poisonous, or even that the leaves might look like dock leaves. Thank you for sharing your story.

I'm so glad your daughter is okay. Amazing that you were so quick thinking, the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

Hamiltoes · 27/01/2016 20:21

How terrifying for you! I'm so glad she recovered. This line hit a nerve with me because I'd never realised before I read it just how true it was..

"She was getting better! And the marvellous NHS machine that had provided everything it could the second it was needed, was now returning to something more normal."

When my daughter and myself both had extended stays in hospital, the turning point was definitely marked by finding ourselfs in the normal waiting room and things not just happening. It reminds you what an amazing thing our NHS is, I have so much respect for the staff there.

HairySubject · 27/01/2016 20:26

I had no idea about foxgloves so I am so grateful to you for sharing your story.

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 20:52

Thank you so much. I'm reading all the replies, and appreciating every one of them.

The NHS is amazing. Everything she needed, every test, was arranged instantly. I cannot praise everyone enough.

And the children's cardiologists in Cardiff were just so approachable and kind. In fact from the cleaning staff to the consultants, everyone was warm, caring and efficient. I will never know how they do the job they do.

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maggiethemagpie · 27/01/2016 20:57

Sounds terrible glad your daughter is ok. My son won't even eat peas let alone random leaves growing in a field so for once I am glad he is a fussy eater.

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 27/01/2016 21:06

:o

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whois · 27/01/2016 21:06

Wow what a haunting experience, and the blog post is fantastically written.

Glad all is ok.

misdee · 27/01/2016 21:08

The NHS is amazing. It saved my dh life more than once.

Glamorousglitter · 27/01/2016 21:19

Thank you for sharing your family's story and I m very glad your lovely dd is better and ok again. I didn't know about foxgloves, we live in the city but visit grandparents in the country where the kids get free rein, it s good to know we should be vigilant about these. Wishing you and your family continued good health and lots of happiness X

Original poster
Outfoxgloved · 28/01/2016 07:43

Thank you :)

It's so good to know this is helping.

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PalmerViolet · 28/01/2016 08:15

So glad Esme is well now.

I knew how poisonous foxgloves were, but only because I'm the type of person who picks up random bits of information like a magpie. I am deeply ignorant of many things that others know, there's no blame to being ignorant.

This is the RHS list of poisonous plants that might be found in British gardens, some are a bit out there, but some are very common.

I'll share your beautifully written blog post on FB.

Peppaismyhomegirl · 28/01/2016 08:19

I came here to mention Alnwick poison gardens! So many things I didn't realise could kill you! Deffo worth a trip if your ever near them!

BungoWomble · 28/01/2016 09:16

I once saw some aconitum (monkshood) for sale at a garden centre with no warnings on or anything, I wondered if I should mention it but didn't because I thought people would know. Wish I had now. It's very popular in gardens cos it's pretty www.thepoisongarden.co.uk/atoz/aconitum_napellus.htm

Lots of dangerous plants. Dogs mercury is another common one, clue in the name. My standing rule to my kids is don't touch anything unless you've been told its safe, and particularly no eating anything we haven't given them.